University of Lincoln to open mental health research hub with almost £11m funding

The University of Lincoln has received almost £11m from the NIHR to open the Lincolnshire Unit for Mental Health Research in May; it is one of five regional hubs being set up to strengthen research in underserved areas.

The University of Lincoln has received almost £11m in funding to open a regional centre for mental health research. The Lincolnshire Unit for Mental Health Research is due to open in May and is backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is one of five hubs being established across England to strengthen mental health research in areas with high need and limited local research capacity. The unit will be run in partnership with the University of Nottingham and will focus on rural, coastal and small urban-deprived communities. What is known: - Funding: almost £11 million provided by the NIHR. - Opening: the Lincolnshire Unit for Mental Health Research is scheduled to open in May. - Purpose: to strengthen mental health research in areas with high need and limited local research capacity. - Partners and focus: run with the University of Nottingham and targeting rural, coastal and small urban-deprived areas, including veterans, armed forces families, rural workers and farming families. - Programme context: the NIHR launched the hub programme in 2023 and other new hubs will be hosted by Keele, Huddersfield, Lancaster and Plymouth. Summary: The funding is intended to support research that shifts toward prevention and community-based approaches rather than relying solely on clinical settings, with the goal of better reaching underserved populations. The unit will begin work when it opens in May; further details about specific projects or timelines were not provided. NIHR leadership described the programme as aiming to bring innovations and support earlier to regions with greater need.