Research Ambassadors and Building Research Capacity Grant

Invitation to Apply for Research Ambassador Funding 

Coventry Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) is pleased to invite voluntary sector organisations1 to apply for a new funding opportunity designed to strengthen research engagement and capacity across the sector.  

This initiative will support the creation of a Research Ambassador role within your organisation - an individual who will champion research, foster partnerships, and help embed a culture of evidence-informed practice. 

In addition to funding for the ambassador role, successful applicants will receive a supplementary grant to support broader efforts to build research capacity. This could include staff training, developing systems for using and sharing research, or creating opportunities for collaboration with academic or community research partners. 

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of your organisation’s work through stronger connections to research and evidence. We welcome applications from organisations of all sizes and with varying levels of research experience. 

What is the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC)?  

The Coventry HDRC has a vision to use research to help address unfair differences in health in our city. Coventry City Council is one of 30 local authorities across the UK that has been awarded funding to establish a research infrastructure within the Council which will stimulate, support and distribute research to improve the health of the people of Coventry and reduce inequalities. The HDRC builds on Coventry’s track record of cross-sector engagement and collaborates with the University of Warwick, Coventry University, University College London, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, the voluntary sector, and local communities. 

Our health is impacted by the environment we live in, the economy and our social relationships. These are what we call wider determinants of health2, and they include factors such as transport, housing, access to green spaces, and employment.  These are issues that are heavily influenced by the work of local government, the voluntary sector and other stakeholders.    

The HDRC aims to involve residents and ensure that their voices are heard so that they can influence where research happens and how research is undertaken based on their lived experience.  

To find out more about the HDRC and the organisations involved in the collaboration go to our website   

What are Research Ambassadors? 

Research Ambassadors serve as advocates for the HDRC, promoting the value of a research-led approach.  Several ambassadors have already been recruited within the Council, and we are now expanding the programme to include representatives from the voluntary sector. Together, these ambassadors will collaborate to share best practices, support one another, and shape the ongoing development of the role.  

As a Research Ambassador, you will receive free tailored training to deepen your understanding of research and evidence-based practice. By leading through example, you’ll help showcase the benefits of research-informed work and share valuable insights with other organisations. 

This grant will support: 

• The appointment of a Research Ambassador for a minimum 12-month period (equivalent to 180 hours) 

• The development of a network of Research Ambassadors to exchange ideas, share best practices, and support one another 

At the end of the 12-month period, participating organisations are expected to maintain an ongoing connection with the HDRC, contributing to a growing culture of research engagement across the sector. 

What does building research capacity mean? 

Research Capacity Building means helping people, organisations, and communities gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take part in or use research.  It’s about making sure everyone can understand, contribute to, and benefit from research - whether that’s asking the right questions, collecting information, using evidence to improve services, or sharing what’s been learned. 

It involves a wide range of activities such as: 

• Embedding evidence in planning and policy 

• Supporting staff training and development 

• Facilitating team-based research activity 

• Involving communities in research 

• Promoting a culture of evidence-based practice 

These actions help build a strong foundation for informed decision-making and continuous improvement.  

How will the Research Capacity Grant work? 

This grant is designed as an additional funding opportunity to strengthen the ability your organisation / network to use, carry out and share high-quality research more effectively. 

Its purpose is to create the right conditions for research to thrive — enabling organisations to reflect on, develop, and embed evidence-based practices. 

The grant will support: 

• Time and capacity to assess current practice 

• Development of research skills and culture 

• Integration of research into everyday organisational work 

Expected outcomes: 

• Organisations become more research receptive and ready 

• Research Ambassadors act as champions and connectors for research and evidence-based practice within their fields 

• Public involvement is a key part of both the ambassador role and the grant-supported activities.Find out more about public involvement and the principles adopted by Coventry HDRC.

We want to support voluntary sector organisations to use evidence to make decisions and be involved in research that can make a real difference to your communities. 

What additional benefits are available? 

In addition to receiving the grant funding, your organisation will also: - 

• Become part of the HDRC 

• Receive advice and support from research fellows 

• Benefit from connections with university researchers 

• Potentially access student researchers 

• Participate in HDRC training opportunities 

• Engage in collaboration and peer learning with research ambassadors and other organisations, fostering shared learning, networking, and meaningful partnerships  

Who can apply? 

To be eligible, applicants must: 

• Be a voluntary sector organisation based in Coventry 

• Submit a proposal that aligns with our focus on the wider determinants of health 

• Represent either an individual organisation or a broader voluntary sector network (e.g. food hubs, poverty alliances)  

We welcome applications from organisations that work closely with communities who are often underrepresented or seldom heard.   

Where can you apply? 

The application window will open on Monday 4 August 2025.  There will be an on-line form for applicants to complete and the link will be available on our website from this date. 

If you are unable to access this form or would prefer to complete the application in a hard copy document, please email us at CoventryHDRC@coventry.gov.uk and we can send you a copy of the form.   

Funding Criteria 

There are up to 8 funding opportunities available in 2025. Each organisation or network will be awarded £10,000 which will be split as follows: - 

Funding will be awarded to groups and organisations that can clearly demonstrate: 

1. The role of the Research Ambassador – How you see this role being set-up and supported to work within your organisation.   

2. Focus area – The specific area the Research Ambassador will concentrate on, and how this links to tackling the wider determinants of health. 

3. Capacity building – Your plans for strengthening your organisation’s ability to engage with research and embed evidence-based approaches. 

4. Public involvement – How you will involve the public meaningfully in shaping, delivering, or evaluating the work. 

5. Use of funds – A clear outline of how the grant funding will be spent. 

6. Community impact – The anticipated benefits to the community as a result of this work. 

Awarding Process  

All applications will be shortlisted according to the criteria listed above.  Shortlisted applications will be judged and ranked by a decision panel made of partners who work within the HDRC.     

A minimum of 4 applications will be awarded the grant but this may be extended to 8 grants should there be a high number of suitable, high-quality applicants. 

If you are successful, your organisation / network will receive a grant agreement to be signed and returned to us. The grant agreement sets out the full terms and conditions of the grant funding. 

If you are unsuccessful, we will call or write to you and let you know the reasons for this. This is a discretionary grant and there are no rights to appeal the HDRC’s decision. 

Allocating funding 

This project is financed with funds that are external to Coventry City Council. This funding application process will run from Monday 4th August 2025 until Monday 15th September 2025. After this time there will be no further funding guaranteed by the Council. Grant applications will be accepted until 11:59pm on the 15th September 2025. There is an expectation that all funded planned work should be completed by the 31st December 2026. 

Summary Privacy Notice 

The information you provide will be used by Coventry City Council Officers to allocate grant funding. We will use the information you provide to allow us to contact you regarding your application and inform you of decision. We may share this information with relevant stakeholders as part of the decision-making process regarding the award of the grant. We may share the results of the applications, and all information produced will be anonymised. 

More information on how we handle personal information and your rights under the data protection legislation please see our privacy notice on the HDRC website  

Due diligence checks will be carried out prior to any grant application being submitted to the decision panel. Checks will be made against the information included in the application form including the authenticity and legal status of organisations and reputational checks online and on social media. 

Monitoring and evaluation 

 The grant recipient must maintain regular communication with HDRC throughout the grant period, notifying the team of any significant changes, delays, or issues that may impact delivery. 

1. Monitoring and Reporting Requirements 

• The grant recipient must submit two progress reports: one at the mid-point (6 months) and one at the end of the 12-month period. 

• Reports must include updates on activities, outputs, outcomes, and learning. 

• A final report must include a summary of achievements, reflections on impact, and plans for sustainability or next steps. 

2. Use of Funds 

• The grant must be used solely for the purposes outlined in the application. 

• Any changes to the use of funds must be pre-approved in writing by the HDRC team. 

3. Participation in Evaluation Activities 

• Grant recipients are expected to participate in any HDRC-led evaluation, including surveys, interviews, or learning events designed to assess the impact of the Research Ambassador programme and research capacity building activities. 

• Ambassadors are expected to contribute to shared learning through case studies, network meetings, or peer-to-peer knowledge exchange. 

4. Data Collection and Sharing 

• Organisations must collect basic monitoring data, including engagement activities, staff/volunteer/community involvement, and feedback from internal or external stakeholders. 

• Any data shared with HDRC will be handled in accordance with data protection regulations and used to inform programme development and sector learning. 

5. End-of-Grant Review 

• A final review meeting will be scheduled with HDRC at the end of the funding period to discuss achievements, challenges, and opportunities for future engagement. 

Need support with your application? 

If you would like support with your application or want to talk through your ideas, please get in touch — we’d be happy to hear from you. 

To mark the launch of the scheme, we’re hosting a number of online information sessions via Microsoft Teams where you can learn more and ask any questions.  These sessions will cover both the application process and grant terms but also provide more information about the research ambassador role itself and what it involves. The provisional dates for the webinars are: 

To book your place, please email us at CoventryHDRC@coventry.gov.uk. 

If you're unable to attend either session, just let us know — we’ll be happy to explore alternative options to support you.  

To find out more, visit the HDRC website.