Integrated Funding Scheme - Focused call | Health Care Research Wales

Health and Care Research Wales will be launching a new Integrated Funding Scheme focused call on “Communication in women’s health”. This topic is a high priority for Welsh Government and communication around women’s health issues is a key area.

Applicants should complete the application form and comply with the application guidance. The call will be assessed via a two-stage application process. Stage 1 applications will need to make the case that the requirements laid out in the focused call brief are addressed and briefly outline the methodological approach to address the research question. Following assessment, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full Stage 2 application which will be assessed by the Health and Care Research Wales Funding Board for its scientific quality.

This focused call will invite research proposals focused on aspects of the topic “Communication in women’s health”.

Proposals should address one or more of the priority research topics listed below.

How can populations of women and girls that are under-served and/or with cultural, social or language barriers be supported in accessing health information?
How can best practice be established in talking and raising awareness in women and girls about issues associated with menopause, perimenopause and menstrual health?
What are the best approaches in ensuring health professionals are properly equipped and trained to communicate effectively with women and girls about their health issues?
How can women and girls with learning disabilities and/or who are neurodivergent be best communicated with about issues relating to their health and healthcare?
How can open discussions about health issues affecting women and girls be encouraged and facilitated within healthcare, schools and the wider society?
What are the best approaches in helping women and girls feel listened to, understood and taken seriously in healthcare consultations?

Applicants should be aware that all six priorities should be considered as relating to all aspects of women’s physical and/or mental health.

These priorities were identified during a research prioritisation exercise which ran from August 2024 to March 2025.

A budget of approximately £750k is available for this call, and Health and Care Research Wales expects to fund between three to six projects, depending on cost and quality of proposals received.

Projects should have a maximum length of 24 months though shorter projects are also encouraged. The quality and potential impact of the research matters more than the length.