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Call for proposals:

An exploration of trends in drinking in the four countries of the UK

Project summary: An exploration of trends in drinking in the four countries of the UK.

Deadline:	2pm on Monday 25 June 2007
JRF Committee:	Alcohol Research Committee
Timescale:	Draft report by the end of 2007.
Budget:	£15,000
Key contacts:	Charlie Lloyd (Principal Research Manager), charlie.lloyd@jrf.org.uk Marguerite Owen, marguerite.owen@jrf.org.uk, 01904 615911

Supporting documents:

• What makes a good proposal?
• Application guidelines

Project summary

Proposals are sought for a review of what is known about trends in drinking in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Background

The JRF Alcohol Research Committee (ARC) has recently been set up and will be funding research and development in the alcohol field over a three-year period (2007-2009). At this early stage in the programme, the ARC has identified a need to bring together what is known about trends in drinking in the UK.

Aims

1. To describe and compare the trends and patterns of alcohol consumption in the four countries of the UK over time, age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and the nature of drinking.
2. To identify and evaluate possible explanations for these trends and patterns.

With regard to the first aim, we expect ‘nature of drinking’ to include an examination of trends in the types of drink and the context of the drinking (so far as this is possible). The review should certainly summarise what we know about the changes in off- and on-license sales and what this implies for consumption.

We expect the detailed analysis of trends to focus mainly on recent times (1970 onwards – or thereabouts). However, we would like this to be set within a brief introductory section which takes a longer historical perspective.

With regard to the second aim, we want this review to explore the possible explanations for recent changes in trends and patterns. We acknowledge that explanations will be neither simple nor certain – but want the successful applicants to use the evidence to hand (both qualitative and quantitative) to suggest possible causes. We also want this review to include consideration of both the directly measurable causes (e.g. disposable income) and more abstract causes (e.g. aspects of youth culture).

Identifying what we do not know in terms of the factors that may lie behind changes in drinking patterns will also be an important goal – with the potential to inform the ARC’s future research programme.

Methods

This work contains elements of a review and a ‘think-piece’. Proposals will be expected to clearly state the methods by which the relevant literature will be identified.

Timescale

We want this work to inform the rest of the ARC’s programme of work and therefore wish it to be undertaken quite rapidly. We want the successful research team to start work as soon as possible after agreement of the contract and provide a draft report by the end of 2007.

Resources

A maximum of £15,000 is available for this study.

How to apply

It is essential that you read the How to apply for funding section of our website before submitting your proposal, together with the Application guidelines containing the necessary forms for completing your application. There are also details available on what makes a good proposal and projects the Foundation does not support, which proposers should read, as well as some other useful information.

Criteria used in considering proposals

In considering proposals, the following key criteria are taken account of:

• the importance and relevance of the topic to the Foundation’s priorities;
• the relevance of the proposal to the research brief in the call for proposals;
• whether the work will offer new insights or developments;
• the appropriateness of the methods proposed to the aims of the project (for research projects, this includes research design, data collection and analysis);
• demonstration of good knowledge of the area, including both research literature and the policy and practice context;
• the ability of the staff and organisation to carry out the work and complete on time;
• the policy and practice implications of the project;
• an appropriate approach to dissemination;
• race equality and appropriate supported involvement of people with direct experience, where appropriate; and
• priority within available funds and value for money.

Judgements about proposals are made on the basis of what is written down. Some proposals are turned down because the Foundation cannot give the topic sufficient priority even though the proposal is well thought out and presented. In other cases, strong proposals may be rejected simply because, on balance, another is found to be even stronger. But proposals are most often rejected because insufficient information has been provided about key aspects or there is a lack of clarity about what is planned.

The Application Guidelines contain all the information and documents you will need to complete your application.

Submitting your proposal:

FOUR sets of the following documents are required:

• Proposal registration form
• Summary
• Proposal
• Budget form
• Staff Costs forms
• Full CVs for all Proposers

These should be sent to:

Charlie Lloyd
Principal Research Manager
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Homestead
40 Water End
York YO30 6WP

Please also email the summary and proposal to Marguerite Owen: marguerite.owen@jrf.org.uk

The deadline for receipt of hard copy and email documentation is 2pm on Monday 25 June 2007.

Please note that this is a strict deadline. Amendments or additions to the proposal sent after this date will not be accepted.

If you wish to discuss any of the details of the proposed work,
Charlie Lloyd, Principal Research Manager responsible for the Alcohol Research Programme, can be contacted on 01904 615911 or by email charlie.lloyd@jrf.org.uk. Administrative queries: please contact Charlie Lloyd’s secretary, Marguerite Owen on 01904 615911 or email marguerite.owen@jrf.org.uk

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