Plain English summaries in NIHR funded research

INVOLVE has been leading on work with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programmes, the Research Design Service (RDS) and others to review plain English summaries in NIHR funding applications.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is committed to making sure that each research study it funds has a clear and concise plain English summary. It is important that this information explains the research as a whole and is easy to read and understand. From 14 May 2014 a good quality plain English summary, submitted as part of the standard application form, will be a requirement of NIHR funding.

The summary will be assessed by NIHR reviewers and board and panel members who will comment on the summary as part of the review process. If it is not considered to be of a good quality then the researchers will be advised through the current feedback processes.

Guidance has been developed for researchers on what to include in a plain English summary and on assessing a summary for for board and panel members.

Further information is available on the NIHR ‘make it clear’ website