The NHS forensic mental health R&D programme: Developing new talent or maintaining a stage army?

This paper considers the successful recipients of the 79 project awards made during the 12-year ‘life’ (1996–2007) of the NHS Forensic Mental Health (FMH) R&D programme. The focus is on whether the 213 persons (principal investigators (PIs) and/or co-investigators (CIs)) represent new talent or existing academic entrepreneurs in the FMH field. Amongst PIs, awards were almost without exception given to researchers with an established research track record. Forensic psychiatrists continue to be the main players, but other research groupings are emerging as PIs. In contrast, CIs range more widely in terms of previous research experience and professional background. 38.5 percent had no apparent experience of previous funded research projects apart from grants funded by the FMH programme. Hence, CIs are the source of new talent amongst the programme's project awards. The authors warn of the dangers of losing the benefits of this investment as policy priorities shift. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.