The longitudinal population studies strategic advisory panel (LPS-SAP, previously the cohort strategic review group) assists MRC in delivering its strategic objective of maximising the impact of population health studies.
The purpose of LPS-SAP is to assess longitudinal population study (LPS) outline applications submitted to MRC (for both new cohorts and renewals of existing studies) in the context of strategic need, the added value of the study and the appropriateness of the design, taking account of existing and forthcoming national and international LPS and MRC’s overarching strategy for population health research.
Overseen by the population health sciences group (PHSG), LPS-SAP assesses outline proposals for LPS funding across the breadth of MRC’s remit. LPS-SAP is not a funding body; the panel provides strategic advice and feedback on outline applications to the relevant research board. The research board has responsibility for deciding whether an application should go forward as a full proposal, taking account of both strategic and scientific considerations.
LPS-SAP normally meets tri-annually, with the meetings aligned to those of the research boards.
See the longitudinal population studies strategic advisory panel terms of reference.
Download the longitudinal population studies outline application template.
Membership panel
Professor Nick Wareham (Chair), University of Cambridge
Dr Jennifer Harris, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Professor Emily Jefferson, Health Data Research UK
Professor Ann John, Swansea University
Professor Frank Kee, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Kate Tilling, University of Bristol
Applying for funding for a population cohort
MRC will provide funding for LPS core infrastructure support, for both new LPS and renewals of existing studies (new data collection or continued access to and use of existing data). Please note that associated research may only be included with the LPS core application if it is for pilot or proof of concept studies.
All applications for funding for new or existing LPS are required to submit an outline application for joint review by LPS-SAP and the research board and a decision on whether a full proposal should be invited will be made, with feedback. You must speak to the relevant programme manager at least six weeks before the outline submission deadline to confirm the eligibility of your application. If insufficient time is allowed, the application will need to go to the subsequent deadline.
If you wish to apply for associated research that will use existing LPS, applications should be submitted directly to the relevant MRC research board or funding opportunity as usual; outline applications are not required. For research proposals linked to a new LPS, you should delay your application until a funding decision has been made regarding core LPS support.
If the study draws its participants from a group with a specific disease or condition (for example it is a clinical cohort), an outline application is not required, and you should submit your research proposal directly to the relevant research board or funding opportunity.
LPS applications will need to demonstrate the strategic need and scientific importance of the study in the context of existing national and international LPS. In addition, applications for renewal of existing studies will need to demonstrate the scientific impact of the study over the previous funding period.
In formulating their case for support you should refer to the MRC strategic review of the largest UK population cohort studies and the MRC cohort directory.
Outlines should be prepared following the MRC LPS outline application template and should be no more than six pages of A4 in length.
Outline applications should be submitted by email to populationcohorts@mrc.ukri.org by 4:00pm UK time on the day of the submission deadline.
The application template was revised in March 2021. Please ensure that you use the new template for all further applications as this contains important changes.
Outline submission deadline is 4:00pm UK time on the following dates:
- 17 April 2024
- 20 August 2024
- 8 January 2025
You will be notified whether a full application has been invited shortly after the relevant Research Board meeting (see here for details of deadlines and research board meeting dates) and this may be submitted to any of the three subsequent board deadlines.
You are requested to inform the relevant MRC research board programme manager of the deadline you intend to submit your full application to.
You are asked to note that:
- the invitation to submit a full proposal expires after three subsequent board deadlines, whereupon a new outline submission will be required
- you will not be able to resubmit rejected applications for three subsequent board deadlines.
Contact
Email: populationcohorts@mrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 10 September 2024