Templates and branding
- NIHR Visual Identity (advice on colour codes, logo use, fonts, graphics and photography)
- NIHR communications site
- Free age-positive image library (we are in the process of expanding our access to a broader range of social care imagery)
- SSCR logo (please contact us for alternative logo formats)
- Slide deck (please use whenever you are presenting your SSCR research)
- Online meeting background (option 1 and option 2) (please use whenever you are presenting your SSCR research online)
Currently being refreshed – bear with us! If you need one of these templates urgently, please email sscr@york.ac.uk
- Poster template (A0, portrait)
- Poster template (A0, landscape)
- Research briefing template
- Mini research briefing template
- Report template (download and edit in MS Word)
SSCR Membership – Internal Research Commissioning
Upcoming Deadlines
Please submit your completed forms to sscr@york.ac.uk by 5pm on the deadline date.
Early/Short Proposal Form submission
2026
- 9th October for Executive Group on the 22nd October
- 11th January for Executive Group on the 26th January
- 30th March for Executive Group on the 14th April
Full Proposal Form submission (after approval of your early proposal submission)
2026/2027
- 21st October 2026 for Commissioning Panel on 4th December 2026
- 4th December 2026 for Commissioning Panel on 4th February 2027
- 12th March 2027 for Commissioning Panel on 7th May 2027
Proposal Forms & Guidance
Please note these forms are for use for SSCR members only.
If you’re unsure which form you need to use please check the Proposal Submission Process
All proposals should be discussed and agreed with the lead applicant before submission.
For projects up to £50k
Short Proposal Form – for research projects
Short Proposal Form – for impact projects
For projects above £50k
Early Proposal Form – for research projects over £50k
Full Proposal Form – for research projects over £50k and approved to submit
Follow On Proposal Brief (Short to Full)
For all projects
Strengthening SSCR Research Proposals – Common Feedback & Guidance
You may find it helpful to review the SSCR Research Proposals Common Feedback document which summarises the issues that SSCR Commissioning Panels or the Executive Group most frequently ask teams to address before proposals can be approved for funding.
SSCR Membership – Internal Research Project Reporting
Interim & Final Reports
Interim Project Report Template
The SSCR team will contact you to advise when reports for your project are due.
SSCR Capacity Building Awardees – Reporting Templates
Career Development Award: Interim Report Template
Career Development Awards: Final Report Template
The SSCR team will contact you to advise when reports are due and whether an interim report is required.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion resources
You may find the following resources helpful:
- NIHR RDS EDI toolkit – this resource has been developed to support researchers to better understand how to embed EDI in research design and to meet the NIHR’s EDI requirements. The toolkit advocates for best practice which goes beyond the NIHR’s current requirements.
- Embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in your Research Project video – other videos are also available on NIHR TV channel
- EPSRC EDI expectations guide
- The University of Sheffield have produced resources focused on Equality Diversity and Inclusion in Research Ethics
- Newcastle University have recently launched a EDI toolkit for researchers
- Producing accessible documents (MS Word version)
- Hosting inclusive events guide (TLAP)
Alt Text Guidance
The BBC’s guide explains how to write effective alt text for images, focusing on clarity, relevance, and context to support screen reader users.
Accessible Video Conferencing
RNID’s accessibility guide outlines features across popular video platforms to support people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including captions, chat functions, and visual cues.
Documents for Visually Impaired People
The Macular Society’s resource offers tips on formatting, font choices, and layout to make documents easier to read for those with sight loss.
Dementia-Friendly Documents
Two guides – one from the Alzheimer’s Society (link) and another from the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (link) – share practical advice on simplifying language, using clear visuals, and structuring content for people living with dementia.
Dementia-Friendly Signage
Alzheimer’s Society also provides a signage guide to help create environments that are easier to navigate and understand
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Research Ethics
Four short videos outlining the opportunities and challenges of doing inclusive and ethical research, based on reflections from participatory and collaborative research projects across the University of Sheffield.
NIHR Social Care Statistics Working Group
The NIHR Statistics Group was formed to support statisticians to share expertise, facilitate communication and collaboration. The Group also aims to provide opportunities for career development.
As part of NIHR SSCR’s core activities and capacity-building programme, a subgroup of the NIHR Statistics Group has been established focused on statistical methods for adult social care research.
The Group is coordinated by Dr Bo Hu and Amritpal Rehill from the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE. For more information about the group and to express an interest in membership, please contact the Group Coordinators.
Enabling research in care homes (ENRICH)
ENRICH is a national network that connects care homes with researchers, facilitating research within care settings. It supports care home staff, residents, and families to take part in and benefit from research.
ENRICH offers support to researchers working or looking to work in care settings:
- help with both applications and signposting for funding
- practical advice on conducting studies within care homes
- facilitation of access to care home managers