RDN Portfolio

The Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio consists of research studies that are eligible for support from the NIHR RDN in England

High-quality research studies, which apply and are eligible for NIHR RDN support in England are included on the NIHR RDN Portfolio.

NIHR RDN supported studies benefit from the following:

  • access to the Study Support Service - a standard national framework of support to help plan, place and perform high quality research in England
  • provision of NHS support as defined by AcoRD and/or the equivalent of NHS support in other settings (eg research carried out in social care, care homes, hospices, or public health settings)
  • provision of Research Part B costs as defined by AcoRD (for studies funded by AMRC member charities only)
  • access to relevant research delivery training, including Good Clinical Practice training
  • ISRCTN registration via the Central Portfolio Management System. Registration of non-commercial studies with an interventional component is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care

Understanding which studies are eligible

NIHR RDN support is available to all studies, regardless of location, study type, study size, therapy or research area, provided they meet the Department of Health and Social Care Eligibility Criteria.

Further information:

How to apply for NIHR RDN Support

There are two routes for English-led studies applying for RDN support. You must use the correct route for your study:

1. Via the Non-commercial Portfolio Application service:

If your study is an English-led CTIMP and you are applying for HRA Approval through the HRA and MHRA's combined review service, you must apply for RDN support through the new Non-commercial Portfolio Application service in CPMS.

The Non-commercial Portfolio Application 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. See below
  • Studies that are fully supported by other NIHR Research Infrastructure. These will not require additional support from the NIHR RDN and need not apply.

For info on how to use this service see the NIHR RDN Non-commercial Portfolio Application service webpage.

2. Via the standard Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)

Studies that require HRA Approval but are not being progressed through combined review: should apply for NIHR RDN support through the standard IRAS by selecting 'yes' to question 5b of the IRAS Project Filter. This will ensure key information from your IRAS submission is automatically shared with us and used to determine eligibility.

Please note: we cannot make a decision on whether your study can be included on the NIHR RDN Portfolio until full funding has been secured and evidence of this has been provided.

If you are applying for NIHR RDN support, and have not already done so, you are advised to contact your Regional Research Delivery Network as soon as possible to benefit from a bespoke service designed to meet the needs of your study. Your Regional Research Delivery Network team will work with you to identify how they can help you to plan and deliver your study.

Applying for research infrastructure support in other UK administrations

Queries regarding access to research infrastructure support outside of England, including for studies that do not require HRA Approval, should be directed to the relevant national coordinating functions:

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