MRC: Expression of interest: Adolescent Health Study call for study sites

26/10/2023

04/12/2023

Submit an expression of interest for funding to lead an Adolescent Health Study (AHS) study site. AHS will be a new longitudinal population study, with associated data platform, focusing on studying the critical biological, interpersonal and environmental factors influencing adolescent development. AHS aims to recruit 100,000 young people aged 8 to 18 at enrolment, primarily through schools, and will follow their health and wellbeing for a period of 12 years (two year pilot plus 10 year main phase). The study will use an accelerated longitudinal design, where all age groups are recruited simultaneously, to allow the different transitions occurring during adolescence to be studied in a rapid timeframe. The objective of this expression of interest (Eol) stage is to identify potential study sites that could contribute to the recruitment requirements for the AHS and to shape the study’s scientific scope and focus. Application at the EoI stage is not a prerequisite for the full funding opportunity. However, by providing your EoI you will help to shape the priorities for AHS and feedback will be provided to inform your formal application for study site funding. Where appropriate, we may encourage regional consortia development following the EoI stage. This EoI stage also provides an opportunity for applicants to propose the top three research priorities that AHS should address. These priorities will be considered in finalising the full funding opportunity for study site applications and subsequent study design.

A core set of scientific areas and strategic priorities for data and sample collection will be pre-specified, potentially including: anthropometric saliva (for genetics and hormonal profiling) physical and mental health diet, sleep and physical exercise puberty socio-economic factors cognitive abilities and educational experience home, community and school environment environmental data interpersonal relationships and influences including in-person and online or digital experience

Eligibility Note Standard MRC and ESRC eligibility rules apply. This funding opportunity is open to: UK higher education institutions research council institutes UKRI approved independent research organisations eligible public sector research establishments NHS bodies with research capacity.