As part of our Partners for Health in London programme, we are interested in funding research projects only in the following areas:

• the impact of integrating mainstream complementary and conventional approaches to health
• the impact of integrating traditional and conventional approaches to health.

Integrating mainstream complementary and conventional approaches to health

The integration of mainstream complementary therapies and conventional approaches to health may have the potential to improve health outcomes. We are looking to fund projects that seek to understand and quantify the effects that integrated approaches might have on health – specifically, the degree to which patients subsequently adopt health-improving behaviours and/or change their use of health services. In other words, does access to both complementary and conventional options encourage self-care?

To qualify for funding, your research must focus on a particular disease or condition – the choice of this focus is for you to decide.

Integrating traditional and conventional approaches to health

Traditional approaches to health are part of a community's resources to support health. They are often deeply rooted in people's personal experience and cultural context, reflecting how people and their communities make sense of health and illness, and indicating what they require in terms of treatment and support. Often, however, primary care practitioners are not aware of these approaches, and patients may be reluctant to discuss them.

We believe that awareness of traditional approaches could inform NHS consultations (particularly in primary care) and be part of establishing a more integrated approach to health. We are looking to fund projects that explore the impact that integrating traditional and conventional approaches might have on subsequent health care decisions at an individual and institutional level – ideally, in relation to specific diseases and conditions or to defined communities.

• Eligibility and programme criteria
• How to apply
• Health areas and challenges
• Contact the Funding and Development team
• Other sources of funding