1. Start early. This means at least 12 months before any funding application deadline. There are a range of funding opportunities available and the application deadlines are usually displayed on the relevant website. All steps are likely to take longer than you anticipate.
2. Seek help. Find the right person with the right knowledge and ask them to support you. Talk to your local Research and Development (R&D) Department.
3. Pursue patient and public involvement (PPI) as early as possible. This will help shape your research question and all aspects of the study as well as helping with future funding / ethics applications etc.  The national organization providing advice about PPI is INVOLVE.  Small grants of (typically) up to £500 to conduct PPI work are available from NIHR Research Design Service. This funding may also facilitate focus groups at the initial planning stages of projects. The RCPCH has developed an Infants, Children and Young People's Research Charter that you should look at.
4. The Health Research Authority website has lots of really useful information that can help you get started.
5. Generation R helps researchers identify the nearest young person group.

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