Considering Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Research

Applicants should demonstrate that biological sex and/or sociocultural gender dimensions have been considered and this includes:

• Scientific Relevance: Explain why sex and/or gender are relevant to your biological question or clinical hypothesis.
• Target Distribution: Specify target ratios for human participants, preclinical animal models, or cell lines, backed by scientific rationale.
• Recruitment & Retention: Detail practical strategies to recruit and retain a balanced cohort (or appropriate preclinical sourcing and housing plans).
• Disaggregated Analysis: Include statistical plans for subgroup analysis by sex/gender where feasible.
• Justification for Non-Inclusion: If your study does not account for sex/gender dimensions, provide a clear, evidence-based scientific justification.

Applicants should demonstrate that EDI has been proactively considered across all project stages, this could include:

• Historical & Contextual Awareness: Acknowledge whether previous research in your field has excluded or under-represented specific populations and describe how your study design will address these gaps.
• Participant Selection & Sampling: Define who is included and ensure samples are generalisable. If any groups are excluded, provide a clear, evidence-based scientific or clinical justification.
• Equitable Data Collection: Design accessible and culturally competent data collection procedures that minimise barriers to participation.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Outline plans to collect, analyse, and report on relevant demographic and EDI characteristics. Consider how diverse perspectives support the interpretation of findings.
• Dissemination, Implementation & Impact: Ensure findings will be shared in accessible and inclusive formats. Detail how the research will benefit patients and service users across varied care settings, particularly those with the greatest unmet needs.
• Inclusive Budgeting & Timelines: Factor in the necessary time and financial resources required to deliver inclusive research practices (e.g., translation, accessible materials, participant travel and expenses, community engagement and involvement).
• Research Team Diversity & Training: Describe how EDI is supported within the research team, including equitable recruitment practices, career development support, cultural competency training, and how diverse perspectives and lived experiences have shaped the proposal.

Meaningful involvement of people with CF, their families, and carers is central to research funded by us. Applicants should demonstrate how people with relevant lived experience and the public are involved throughout the research lifecycle, this could include:

• Research Priorities: Involving the CF community in identifying and prioritising research questions, study objectives, and outcome measures.
• Study Design: Engaging individuals with lived experience to refine protocols, participant burdens, and methodologies.
• PPIE Planning: Collaborating on the development and execution of ongoing PPIE activities.
• Project Governance: Including members of the CF community in advisory or steering groups to oversee the research.
• Co-Production & Delivery: Involving individuals with lived experience as active members of the research team or in data interpretation.
• Dissemination & Public Engagement: Co-developing accessible summaries, communication campaigns, and engagement activities for the public and CF community. Applicants should ensure summaries are written in clear, jargon-free plain English and reviewed by people with lived experience to ensure genuine accessibility.

Note: If individuals with lived experience, carers, or public members are not involved in your study design or delivery, you must provide a clear justification explaining why.