Study within a Trial (SWAT)
To date, the HRB-TMRN has funded nine SWATs investing €155,000 in developing this initiative nationally. In 2023 the network will provide further funding for one SWAT award. This award is worth up to €10,000 (25% institutional overheads of direct project costs also available) and will provide for the implementation of a self-contained methodological research study in a planned or an existing randomised trial. This funding is available to research teams in University College Cork, University of Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and University College Dublin.
Opening Date: September 23rd 2022 Closing Date: March 24th 2023
Scope of the current call
The scope of the current call is to facilitate the embedding of a methodology research study within a planned or ongoing trial. The SWAT should address a methodology research question on any aspect of the trial, for example: design, conduct, analysis, reporting or dissemination of trials, for which there is current uncertainty. Novel methodology questions are welcome, however applicants may also choose to repeat a SWAT in a new trial setting. A full listing of published SWAT protocols are available on the MRC-HTMR All-Ireland Hub website.
Number of awards
One award of up to €10,000 (25% institutional overheads of direct project costs are also available) for up to 12 months in duration will be awarded in 2023. Applicants must be from one of the five eligible institutions; UG, UCC, TCD, UL and UCD.
Who should apply?
Trial investigator teams working on a planned or ongoing randomised trial are invited to apply. There are no eligibility restrictions for the lead applicant (e.g. previous grant holder) and early stage career researchers are welcome to apply, provided that the trial Principal Investigator for the host trial within which the proposed SWAT is embedded supports the application and appropriate mentoring arrangements are in place.
Eligibility criteria
- The application must include evidence from host institution of provision for funding for the ongoing trial (letter from research office). In the case where a trial is not funded and does not need funding to proceed, this will need justification.
- Lead applicants must not have received HRB-TMRN SWAT funding in the previous round of funding. Applicants successful in any other HRB-TMRN funding stream are eligible to apply;
- Applications must provide evidence of mentoring arrangements (where appropriate) to provide academic and clinical/practice-based support.
- Applicants must have a collaborator from the MRC/NIHR- Trials Methodology Research Partnership (MRC/NIHR-TMRP) (assistance in identifying suitable collaborators can be provided).
Deadline
Queries relating to this application can be submitted by email to hrb-tmrn@nuigalway.ie, please include SWAT FUNDING 2023 in the subject line. All application forms must be submitted by email, along with relevant documentation to hrb-tmrn@nuigalway.ie by the deadline listed above.
SWAT Repository
Condition of award: The successful SWAT must be registered on the MRC Northern Ireland Hub for Trials Methodology SWAT Repository, which is an online database of ongoing SWATs.
Recommended Reading /Resources
Guidelines for reporting embedded recruitment trials
Vichithranie W. Madurasinghe and Sandra Eldridge on behalf of MRC START Group and Gordon Forbes on behalf of the START Expert Consensus Group.
SWAT-1: The effectiveness of a ‘site visit’ intervention on recruitment rates in a multi-centre randomised trial
Valerie Smith, Mike Clarke, Cecily Begley and Declan Devane
Trial Forge Guidance 1: what is a Study Within A Trial (SWAT)?
Shaun Treweek, Simon Bevan, Peter Bower, Marion Campbell, Jacquie Christie, Mike Clarke, Clive Collett, Seonaidh Cotton, Declan Devane, Adel El Feky, Ella Flemyng, Sandra Galvin, Heidi Gardner, Katie Gillies, Jan Jansen, Roberta Littleford, Adwoa Parker, Craig Ramsay, Lynne Restrup, Frank Sullivan, David Torgerson, Liz Tremain, Matthew Westmore, Paula R. Williamson.
Trial Forge Guidance 2: how to decide if a further Study Within A Trial (SWAT) is needed
Shaun Treweek, Simon Bevan, Peter Bower, Matthias Briel, Marion Campbell, Jacquie Christie, Clive Collett, Seonaidh Cotton, Declan Devane, Adel El Feky, Sandra Galvin, Heidi Gardner, Katie Gillies, Kerenza Hood, Jan Jansen, Roberta Littleford, Adwoa Parker, Craig Ramsay, Lynne Restrup, Frank Sullivan, David Torgerson, Liz Tremain, Erik von Elm, Matthew Westmore, Hywel Williams, Paula R. Williamson & Mike Clarke
