The NIHR RDN Non-commercial Portfolio Application service

To improve the process of applying for NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) support and inclusion on the NIHR RDN Portfolio, we have built the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service within our Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS).

This service allows investigators to apply earlier and receive an eligibility decision sooner to benefit from the full range of support that our Study Support Service offers.

Through this service, investigators can supply a tailored set of data for review against the Department of Health and Social Care’s Eligibility Criteria. If the study is deemed eligible, this data will then be used to automatically populate the CPMS study record. Data supplied will be visible across the RDN and the devolved administrations ensuring coordinated support across study sites.

Which studies can use the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service?

This service is available to all English-led studies, including studies that do not need, and, therefore, are not applying for HRA Approval, with the following exceptions:

• studies that are applying for HRA Approval through the standard IRAS. These studies should continue to apply for NIHR RDN support by selecting ‘yes’ to question 5b of the IRAS Project Filter.
• studies that are fully supported by other NIHR research infrastructure. These will not require additional support from the NIHR RDN and need not apply.

This form is designed for the wide range of research studies that the NIHR RDN supports, from clinical trials to public health population studies, therefore some questions may not be relevant to your study design. If this is the case, follow the guidance in the question 'help text' to complete your application.

All applications will be reviewed against the Eligibility Criteria for NIHR Research Delivery Network Support.

If you need further advice contact the Study Support Service Helpdesk.

How do I apply for NIHR RDN support through the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service?

To use the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service, you must first create an account in CPMS. Find out how to create an account and log in to CPMS here.

Before starting your application, it is expected that you will have:

• discussed your study with your Regional Research Delivery Network through our Study Support Service
• confirmed the sponsorship arrangements for your study
• secured full research funding for your study, in line with the Department of Health and Social Care’s AcoRD policy
• obtained an IRAS ID: An IRAS ID is now mandatory for all non-commercial studies requesting NIHR Research Delivery Network services through CPMS. Details on how to obtain an ID can be found on the IRAS guidance pages.
  
  Please note, studies that are not applying for research approvals through IRAS should still obtain an ID but they do not need to complete the IRAS application.

You should submit your application as soon as you have secured full research funding for your study. There is no need to wait until you are ready to apply for ethical and regulatory approvals.

To complete your application you will need to provide a copy of your study protocol and evidence of the research funding you have secured so have these ready before starting your application.

Once we receive your application it will be reviewed against the Department of Health and Social Care’s Eligibility Criteria, and you will be notified of the outcome via email.

Further guidance on how to apply for NIHR RDN support through the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service is available on NIHR Learn.