Health Data Research UK

Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), established in 2018 as a registered charity and national institute for health data science, unites and advances the UK's health and care data to drive discoveries that improve lives. Founded by public funders like UK Research and Innovation and medical charities, its mission emphasizes trustworthy, ethical data use through collaboration, transparency, privacy protection, and public benefit. Distinctively, HDR UK convenes the UK Health Data Research Alliance, builds national infrastructure, links siloed datasets (e.g., NHS, genomics), and bridges high-level research with grassroots engagement to tackle challenges like dementia, COVID-19, chronic diseases, health inequalities, precision medicine, and public health.

It funds data-driven research, infrastructure, capacity building, and community projects, prioritizing public health, clinical trials, disease prediction, and innovations translating to better healthcare. Key programmes include Take the Lead community grants (£500-£1,500) for underserved groups—minority ethnic communities, digitally excluded, low-income, youth (11-25), older adults (65+), rural residents—supporting data-informed activities like step challenges and advocacy; infrastructure grants (up to £30,000); fellowships; and initiatives like the Dementia Trials Accelerator or Black Internship Programme for diversity.

Eligible applicants are UK-based community groups, academics, NHS Trusts, universities, and research consortia, with no income thresholds but scheme-specific criteria (e.g., underserved focus for community grants). UK-wide scope covers all nations. Applications via online forms or email templates for time-limited calls—no rolling programme—with deadlines like Take the Lead (8 Sep-13 Oct 2025) or DAA Adoption (19 Sep 2025); decisions in 3-6 weeks. Typical grants: £500-£200,000. Excludes unsolicited proposals outside calls and core/unrestricted funding, standing out for its scale in data unification and inclusive partnerships.