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PPI Ignite Award – Dublin City University

This project will positively impact on capacity building (CB) for high quality PPI in H&SC research through building active partnerships and networks internal and external to DCU. We will provide the context and organisational infrastructure to support CB through guidance frameworks, training, mentorship, collaborative networks, opportunities to apply skills, case studies, continuous reflective learning and progress evaluation over time. Building collaborations is integral to CB and the mechanism through which knowledge and practice in PPI and H&SCR is exchanged, developed and enhanced. The networks we propose to enhance CB through includes linkage between H&SCR in DCU and patient/public members and representatives in our partner organisations i.e. Medical Research Charities Group, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, Epilepsy Ireland, Irish Advocacy Network, International Network towards Alternatives and Recovery and International advisor Dr Mockford. These partnerships have been specifically selected to match DCU’s H&SCR activities and to include representation from organisations with both established PPI/community engagement practices and others wishing to grow PPI expertise within their organisations and patient/public communities. Our proposed initiatives and DCU supports are building capacity for high quality PPI in H&SCR from the ground up in direct partnership with committed patients/public members and representatives and H&SCR. We are building capacity for high quality PPI in research based on local needs and existing capacity levels, which will grow overtime as skills and confidence flourish and learning becomes consolidated. To maximise impact we have inbuilt appropriate dissemination, elements of sustainability (e.g. establishment of DCU PPI in Research Steering Group) and included both process and outcome evaluation measures; acknowledging our Community of PPI Capacity Building Practice process as an outcome in itself. Aligned with DCUs Research & Innovation Strategy, distinguished by translating knowledge into societal benefit, our co-production participatory approach integrates university and community-based CB through collaborative equitable partnerships, co-learning and long-term commitment.