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NIHR's response to COVID-19

The NIHR played a critical role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working together

Collaboration was key. We worked with the NHS, regulators and commercial partners to deliver ground-breaking research and save lives.

More than one million people took part in our research studies.

How did our research help combat COVID-19?

We helped to:

  • find new treatments for COVID-19
  • develop vaccines and prevention
  • inform policy and decision-making
  • evaluate tests and diagnostics
  • support the global response to the pandemic

The video below shows five ways that NIHR research fought COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Building on lessons learnt

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we are now focusing on managing the recovery of research into other conditions, building on the lessons learnt during the pandemic.

NIHR is working with partners to revitalise the NHS research portfolio through the Research Reset programme. This programme of work aims to ensure that the greatest number of research studies can be completed within the available resources and capacity in the health and care system.

Read more about the Research Reset programme

Ongoing COVID-19 research