In addition to the above commitment to engage with the UK KTN Phage Innovation Network and other stakeholders on phage research, the NIHR offers an NIHR Research Support Service for phage researchers. This provides free and confidential advice to develop funding applications within the remit of the NIHR, including clinical, applied health and social care research, and post-award advice to award holders. Access to support, advice and expertise is available for all researchers across England applying to NIHR research programmes or research training awards as well as to non-NIHR funders such as charities. When considering applications to NIHR for funding, researchers should review the 'remit pages'. The most suitable programme for phage research would depend on the research area, the scale of the study, and whether it will generate new evidence or build upon existing evidence. There is scope for significant further 'basic' phage research, which would be best supported by the UKRI councils. For clinical trials specifically, there are 2 large NIHR programmes offering funding: the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME programme) and the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. The EME programme funds studies into the efficacy of new approaches to disease prevention and treatment. It supports clinical trials and other studies that test how interventions may work in practice. This programme is co-funded with the MRC and is predominantly focused on evidence generation for areas where there is sufficient proof of concept data. A specialist team is available for specific queries about the process from researchers. The HTA programme funds research into the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of treatments and tests. HTA research compares new technology to the current standard interventions to see which works best, where there is already evidence to show a new technology is effective. Health technology covers any method used to promote health, prevent and treat disease and improve rehabilitation or long-term care. 'Technologies' in this context are not confined to new drugs or equipment, but include procedures, devices, tests, settings of care, screening programmes and any intervention used in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease. They should be currently used in the NHS, or likely to be used if supported by the results of the research. Technologies being evaluated should have had some assessment of efficacy already. Researchers can receive support in advance of their application. The MHRA's draft guidance on the licensing requirements for phage therapeutic products will recommend that sponsors engage with MHRA at the earliest opportunity to obtain clarity regarding requirements for clinical trials, including Good Clinical Practice requirements. The MHRA will provide scientific advice but cannot design clinical trials on behalf of product developers. The VMD encourage all stakeholders looking to develop phage based VMPs and wishing to conduct UK clinical trials to contact the VMD for support and advice. The UK framework for veterinary clinical trials is currently fit for purpose and would allow the authorisation of trials involving phage based VMPs.