A woman sat on the couch looking down with a bottle in her hand

New research partnership to tackle drug and alcohol addiction

12 September

NIHR and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) Addiction Healthcare Goals programme are collaborating to support UK researchers develop the skills to deliver innovative drug and alcohol addiction research.

Problematic alcohol and drug use takes a devastating toll across the UK, claiming over 15,000 lives each year and placing immense strain on public services. Strengthening prevention, treatment and recovery pathways is essential to reduce harm and save lives. It can also help to prevent future chronic and acute conditions - a core priority within the government’s health mission.

In order to address this issue, a UK-wide partnership, supported by the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Addiction Healthcare Goals (AHG) Research Leadership Programme will provide over £10m of funding to stimulate growth, capacity and research careers in drug and alcohol addiction. 

It will support future research leaders across all professions and settings to deliver innovations in prevention, treatment and recovery which will improve lives and reduce the long-term impacts of addiction. It will also support the integration of research activity and research outputs into clinical and social care practice.

The programme supports the UK government’s Plan for Change. It also delivers on the Life Sciences Sector Plan by potentially saving thousands of lives and putting money spent dealing with the issue back into the economy. 

The programme will be delivered through 3 UK-wide strands: 

  1. A partnership with the NIHR to support career development opportunities
  2. A flagship scheme delivered by the Society for the Study of Addiction
  3. A partnership with the Medical Research Council

Supporting research capacity building and career development across the UK

The NIHR and AHG partnership will enable health, public health and social care researchers from all professions, settings and sectors to bring valuable experience and insights into the UK addiction research landscape. The partnership aims to:

  • grow UK addiction-related health, public health and social care research capacity and capability in drug and alcohol addiction services
  • support a broad range of researchers, from different professions and backgrounds,  from across the UK to begin or take the next step in their research career
  • develop future research leaders with the skills and capabilities to work across  their  practice and research to deliver innovative prevention, treatment and recovery research studies which tackle the UK challenges of drug and alcohol addictions

Opportunities for a wide range of professionals across key career levels

The funding will support career development opportunities for individuals across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales at key career levels and transitions in their research careers. Through this collaboration, individuals can apply to upcoming career development opportunities at the predoctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral levels, including the following awards: 

We encourage applications from a broad range of disciplines, professions, settings and sectors. They must demonstrate a role in, and contribution to, improving the outcomes for those affected by drug and alcohol addiction in the UK.

The opportunities to apply will be announced on the NIHR’s funding opportunities webpage. Interested individuals should ensure their research area of interest falls within NIHR’s remit to ensure that their proposed application aligns with the AHG priorities. Sign-up to receive an NIHR funding alert to keep up-to-date with opportunities.

Successful applicants will become NIHR Academy Members and benefit from a programme of support, events and activities. This includes professional development and networking opportunities.  

UK's health and care leaders support for new partnership

Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy, said: "Drug and alcohol dependency costs the UK tens of billions every year and devastates lives and communities. 

“The UK Government is investing in and growing our critically important addiction research leadership, bringing new treatments and ideas to people quicker. NIHR’s ambitious new partnership will attract and support researchers from across the UK and from all professions and specialisms working in drug and alcohol addiction to deliver high quality research that effectively addresses these challenges.”

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Chief Scientist (Health) for the Scottish Government, said: "Growing future research capacity is essential if we are to continue to develop and test interventions to reduce addiction-related deaths.

"The Chief Scientist Office is pleased to participate in the NIHR-AHG career development awards programme and I am confident that the scheme will see strong applications from Scotland."

Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor for Northern Ireland Department of Health and Director of Health and Social Care Research & Development said: “Alcohol and drug use, and related harms, are ongoing challenges in Northern Ireland.  A strong infrastructure is vital to support research that will benefit people with experience of addictions or who use alcohol or drugs problematically, their carers and families.  I strongly encourage applications from Northern Ireland researchers to this important programme”.

Michael Bowdery, Head of Programmes, Health and Care Research Wales, Welsh Government said:

We are delighted to support this important programme, which offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen research capacity in such a key area of need. We look forward to working with NIHR, the OLS Addiction Healthcare Goals and all partners to take this initiative forward, and to a positive and enthusiastic response from the addiction research community in Wales.”