Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) for Investigators

IRAS is the new system for applying for permissions and approvals for research in the UK. It replaces the NRES form system and provides a single point of application for review by the following bodies:

• Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC)
• Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC)
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Ministry of Justice (National Offender Management Service)
• NHS / HSC Research Offices
• NRES/ NHS / HSC Research Ethics Committees
• Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG)

Since 18 November 2008, IRAS is the single gateway for NIHR CSP and adoption to the NIHR Portfolio. Investigators wishing to submit their study for inclusion in the NIHR Portfolio and to apply to NIHR CSP must therefore use IRAS for their ethics and Research and Development applications.

More detailed information about IRAS is available on the IRAS help pages. 

IMPORTANT CHANGES

The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) has announced that from the 1st April 2009 responsibility for performing Site Specific Assessments (SSA) will lie with R&D Departments. This means that from the 1st April 2009 researchers will no longer need to send Site Specific Information (SSI) Forms to RECs for any NHS site for any type of study. SSI Forms for NHS sites will be used solely for applications for NHS R&D permission.

As a result of this change, the NRES online form system will no longer be available for new applications from the end of March 2009. Applicants will need to use IRAS from this date. For further information on these changes, please contact your local R&D Department.

IRAS can be accessed at www.myresearchproject.org.uk

Guidance

Detailed Guidance on using the system is available in the IRAS user manual..

Question specific guidance is also available on the IRAS website.

Last updated: 28 August 2009