A realist synthesis of decision-making approaches to grant funding allocation

Introduction: For decades, allocation of research funds worldwide has relied on an assessment of research proposals by referees’ reports and funding committees, a process known as peer review. A seemingly lack of alternative approaches to making decisions to fund research leaves peer review as the de facto system to fund allocation. Peer review is at the heart of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) goal of increasing efficiency in research from application to contract to final dissemination. This study focuses on the potential to inject flexibility into the now traditional peer review process. It will identify the elements of peer review and/or alternative approaches to funding allocation which supports the decision-making process and the contexts or programmes relevant to the NIHR where alternative approaches might work. Methods: A realist synthesis will be used to provide an explanatory analysis of how and why peer-review or alternative approaches to funding allocation work in particular contexts and/or research programmes. This approach will enhance our understanding of the value of peer review and the contexts in which this approach to decision-making is most appropriate. In particular, the synthesis will allow us to move beyond summarisation of existing evidence and provide fresh thinking in the opportunities available to enhance current practices for funding decision-making. Timing of Potential Results: This is a study in progress. Preliminary findings will be available in September 2019. Potential Relevance & Impact: Enhancing current understanding on what is already known about alternatives to peer review, as well as identifying contexts in which alternative approaches are effective. Using realist synthesis as a novel approach to aggregate evidence in the field. Findings from the realist synthesis will be used to directly inform the wider programme of research conducted by NIHR Research on Research and may be transferable to other funding organisations