Study Support

Are you looking to run a study in an NHS, public health or social care setting?

We offer a range of support to help you plan, place and perform high quality research.

If your study meets the eligibility criteria for the NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio - also known as the NIHR CRN Portfolio - we will work with you, research and development offices, funders, and other stakeholders to deliver your study to time and target.

The ideal time to initiate this support is around the time your study has been shortlisted by a funder which will ensure you get the full range of relevant support for you and your study.

Each study is assessed to ensure it meets the Department of Health and Social Care’s Eligibility Criteria (PDF) (.PDF). Visit our NIHR CRN Portfolio page to learn more about study eligbility and applying for support.

Study Support Service

Our Study Support Service can impact the success of your study in three key areas:

Plan your study

Expert advice and guidance to help you plan your research

Get personalised advice and guidance about what support is available, tailored to your specific study needs. You can access this support even before you have secured funding. Engaging early will increase your support options.

Accurately identify relevant funders for all resources related to your study activities

Department of Health and Social Care guidance outlines responsibilities for funding the range of research activities. We have specialists and a UK-wide tool to help apply this to your study activities.

Ensure your research is inclusive

Read our INCLUDE guidance on improving inclusion of under-served groups in clinical research.

Find out more about how we can help you plan your study or trial in health or care settings.

Place your study

Identify sites for your study

We can gather expressions of interest to take part in your study from sites across England. You can discuss this with us anytime throughout the life cycle of your study.

Study delivery review

We undertake a study wide assessment to identify and highlight any challenges to study delivery. enabling a proactive approach to study set-up.

Find out more about how we can help you place your study to optimise performance.

Perform your study

Streamline your study set-up

We will use our national network to share a study-wide action plan to ensure multiple sites open as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Keep your research on track

Your allocated performance review lead will work with you to proactively monitor the progress of your study.

Find out more about how we work with you to keep your study on track.

Please talk to us as early as possible to get the most out of the advice and guidance we offer. You can contact us at supportmystudyeastmidlands@nihr.ac.uk

Grant submissions

From 1 October 2018, all researchers applying for clinical research grants need to complete a SoECAT (Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template) as part of the grant application process in order to be eligible for the NIHR CRN Portfolio and the support this provides. Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs) must be accurately identified as part of the research funding application to ensure that health care providers can be reimbursed by the appropriate funder.

You must submit your SoECAT form to the CRN at least two weeks before the grant deadline to ensure that we are able to help with your submission. The AcORD specialists cannot be held accountable for any delays for late submissions.