The University of Kent has secured funding, from April 2026, to continue to deliver applied health and care research that responds directly to the most urgent health and case issues within the South East of England.
The funding will see the University continue to lead the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, working closely with partner organisations in health and care services, other universities and working with Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) as the NHS host. This is one of 10 regional partnerships which has received a share of £157 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
The ARC in Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) will deliver high-impact, inclusive research that improves outcomes, reduces health inequalities and strengthens the resilience of services across the region. Through partnership with health and social care providers delivering services in the Southeast, alongside third sector organisations, higher education institutes, members of the public and charities, this new round of funding will continue to support the transformation set out in the NHS 10-year Plan over the next five years. It will tackle some of the UK’s most pressing health and social care challenges through high-quality applied research, help bring research evidence into practice and provide training for the local workforce.
This investment empowers the University of Kent to spearhead collaborative research as part of the ARC in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, strengthening research capabilities and delivering real-world improvements in health and social care services and most importantly working with local communities to create change.
Professor Stephen Peckham, from the Centre for Health Services Studies at the University of Kent and Director of ARC KSS, said: ‘Thank you to everyone who has supported the work of the ARC and has contributed to our ongoing successes over the last six years. This funding reflects the commitment and collaborative spirit demonstrated by our partners across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. It enables us to strengthen our partnerships with local authorities, the NHS, voluntary sector organisations and our academic colleagues, ensuring that the voices of our communities continue to guide our research activities.
‘By tapping into the knowledge and perspectives of patients, carers, and those working on the frontline, we will carry on delivering research that is both academically rigorous and rooted in the practical realities of day-to-day life. Working closely with all those involved, we are determined to turn research insights into meaningful improvements for health and social care services, making a tangible difference for individuals and communities throughout our region and beyond.’
Dr Jane Padmore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SPFT, said: ‘In order to provide high quality care for patients, carers and families, it is important to draw on research which demonstrates what is effective. This grant will be hugely important in helping us identify evidence-based interventions to support the local communities we serve. One of the real strengths of the ARC is the breadth and depth of the partnerships that underpin it. This will be instrumental in helping us to provide care and improve outcomes together.’