Many funding bodies expect applicants to demonstrate how patients, members of the public, service users, carers, or community representatives will be involved throughout the research process. The following five steps may help you develop a well-planned and appropriately budgeted PPI approach for your application.

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1. Learn the Basics of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI)

Before planning your involvement activities, it is important to understand what PPI is, why it matters, and how it can strengthen your research.

Public and Patient Involvement means conducting research with or by members of the public rather than to, about, or for them. PPI can help to improve the relevance, quality, impact, and accessibility of research and is increasingly expected by research funders.

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2. Attend an Introduction to PPI Workshop

We run Introduction to PPI workshops every quarter for researchers, students, and members of the public.

These interactive two-hour workshops:

• Introduce the definition and rationale for PPI
• Showcase examples of successful PPI in research
• Explain how PPI can be incorporated into funding applications
• Guide participants through planning involvement activities using the 5 W's of Involvement Framework
• Provide plenty of opportunities for discussion and questions

No previous knowledge or experience of PPI is required.

Workshops alternate between online delivery and in-person sessions at University College Cork.

View upcoming workshop dates and registration details here.

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3. Plan Your PPI Activities Using the 5 W's of Involvement Template

Funding reviewers will expect to see evidence that your PPI activities have been carefully considered and appropriately planned.

A strong PPI plan should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate how involvement will be implemented while also allowing flexibility to adapt activities based on the needs, preferences, and circumstances of PPI contributors.

To support this process, we have developed a 5 W's of Involvement Template, which helps researchers consider:

• Who will be involved?
• Why are they being involved?
• What activities will they contribute to?
• When will involvement take place?
• Where and how will involvement be facilitated?

This template can help you develop a clear, realistic, and funder-ready PPI plan.

Click here to access the 5 W's of Involvement Template.

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4. Budget for PPI from the Beginning

Research funders generally recognise that meaningful public involvement requires appropriate resourcing. However, you will need to check the funding call guidelines as this can vary across different research funding organisations and grant calls. When permitted, all costs associated with PPI should be considered from the outset and included within your project budget.

At a minimum, researchers should ensure that PPI contributors are not left out of pocket as a result of their involvement. Depending on the project, costs may include:

• Travel and subsistence expenses
• Honoraria or involvement payments
• Accessibility supports
• Venue hire
• Training and development
• Administrative support

Before submitting your application, we recommend reviewing UCC's PPI Payment Policy and Budgeting Guidelines. 

You may also find the PPI Cost Calculator, developed by the PPI Ignite Network @ UCD, a useful tool for estimating potential involvement costs.

Please note that we do not recommend a standard reimbursement rate, as appropriate payment levels will vary depending on the project, available funding, funder requirements, and the circumstances of individual contributors.

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5. Need further support?

If you have attended an Introduction to PPI workshop and reviewed the resources above but would like further guidance on your proposed involvement activities, you can book a one-to-one PPI Clinic appointment with members of the PPI Ignite Network @ UCC team.

These clinics provide an opportunity to discuss:

• Your proposed PPI approach
• Recruitment of PPI contributors
• Budgeting considerations
• Funder requirements
• Challenges or questions relating to involvement activities

Upcoming PPI Clinic

29 October 2026

Book your appointment here.

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Additional resources

The PPI Ignite Network @ UCC is committed to supporting researchers and public contributors to work together in meaningful ways. Whether you are completely new to PPI or looking to strengthen an existing involvement plan, we hope that this page has helped you in preparing your research funding application. 

You can also sign-up to the PPI Ignite Newsletter to keep up to date with all network activities. 

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