Partner organisations

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

The NIHR Clinical Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and forms a key part of the NHS R&D Strategy set out in “Best Research for Best Health” (January 2006).

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is committed to establishing the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence through supporting outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. 

NIHR is being established on a phased basis as each of its key work areas are introduced. It will provide the framework through which the Department of Health will position, manage and maintain the research, research staff and infrastructure of the NHS in England as a virtual national research facility. Its work will focus on meeting the needs of the research community, patients and the public.

 

UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)

The NIHR Clinicall Research Network a key component of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) which brings together the major stakeholders that influence clinical research in the UK and particularly the NHS.

The partnership was set up with Department of Health funding between the government, the NHS, the voluntary and private sectors and the public to transform the clinical research environment in the UK . It aims to take a strategic oversight of clinical research and identify gaps in capability and opportunities for action, coordinating approaches between funding bodies to develop the profile of clinical research in the UK.

The UKCRC has several interdependent workstreams:

• Building up the infrastructure in the NHS, including clinical research networks (NIHR CRN), experimental medicine and the development of a national framework of clinical research facilities and looking at incentives for research in the NHS
  
• Building up the research workforce for academic and other researchers
  
• Coordinating research funding activity including a strategic analysis of clinical research funding in the UK, the development of joint initiatives in public health research and the development of coherent approached to funding of network areas
  
• Streamlining the regulatory and governance processes

A subgroup of the UKCRC Board has been established to oversee the strategy and direction of the NIHR CRN.

Last updated: 11 May 2009