Public Health Research

In 2006, the major funders of public health research in the UK came together under the auspices of the UKCRC to develop a coordinated approach to improving the UK public health research environment. The findings of the UKCRC Public Health Research Strategic Planning Group (SPG) are documented in a report, Strengthening Public Health Research in the UK. 

The outcome of the SPG was a commitment of over £20m by a consortium of eight funding partners to create five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence.

Establishment of the Centres is intended to build academic capacity, increase infrastructure and promote multi-disciplinary working in public health research in the UK. The Centres are designed to bring leading research experts together with practitioners, policy makers and wider stakeholders to tackle complex public health issues.

The successful Centres, based in Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Cambridge and Nottingham, were announced in January 2008. Awards were made on a competitive basis with each Centre receiving up to £5m over five years.

Administrative management of the Centres is being provided by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). For further information please see the ESRC website.

The funding Partners contributing to this joint initiative are:

  • British Heart Foundation 
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Department of Health
  • Economic and Social Research Council
  • Medical Research Council
  • Health and Social Care Research and Development, Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland
  • Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care, Welsh Assembly Government
  • Wellcome Trust

©2005 United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration.