Table 1.

Selection criteria used in the three NIHR competitions^a (the bibliometrics-related criteria have been highlighted in italics)

SI 2014	CLAHRCs 2014	BRCs/BRUs 2012
1. High quality and volume of internationally excellent research 2. Relevant research portfolio to the health of patients and the public 3. High impact of the research on improvements in healthcare and public health 4. High impact of the leadership of the individual on clinical and applied patient and public research. Evidence of contribution to NIHR 5. Strong track record in training and developing researchers including evidence of helping to shape training agendas at regional and national level 6. High involvement of patients and public in the design, execution and implementation of research 7. Evidence of engagement of health planners and policy makers	1. The quality of the collaboration’s existing applied health research and particularly research targeted at chronic disease and public health interventions 2. The strength of the track record of collaborative working between the University(ies), NHS organisations, providers of NHS services, local authorities, local commissioners, the life science industry, other NIHR-funded infrastructure, AHSNs and patients and the public that comprise the collaboration 3. The strength of the strategic plan for the NIHR CLAHRCs, clearly describing how it will add value through a step change in the way that applied health research is carried out and research evidence is implemented 4. The existing research capacity and plans for developing capacity for research and implementation of research findings for the benefit of patients and the public 5. The strength of the planned programme of high-quality applied health research to be carried out focused on the needs of patients and improved patient outcomes 6. The clarity and strength of the proposals for activities to facilitate the implementation of research findings 7. The relevance of the research and implementation portfolio to the health of patients and the public 8. Value for money	1. The quality, volume and breadth of internationally-excellent biomedical and experimental medicine research and researchers 2. Existing research capacity, and plans for increasing capacity including training 3. The strength of the forward strategic plan and ability to generate a step-change in capacity to undertake experimental research in the relevant priority area 4. The relevance of the research portfolio to the health of patients and the public 5. The track record in translating advances in basic biomedical research into clinical research, and pulling through basic biomedical research findings into and benefits for patients, the public and the NHS 6. The strength of the strategic partnerships, including those with industry and other NIHR-funded research Infrastructure 7. Value for money

Note that criteria 1 was not included in the published selection criteria for SI 2014, but was included in the guidance to panel members