National Institute for Health and Care Research

{{short description|Research and expert organisation in health and care in the United Kingdom}} {{Use British English|date=February 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox organization | name = National Institute for Health and Care Research | logo = NIHR National Institute for Health and Care Research logo.png | logo_size = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | caption = | abbreviation = | predecessor = | merged_into =  | successor = | established = April 2006<ref name=":4" /> | founder =  | founding_location = | dissolved =  | merger =  | type = research institute | status =  | purpose = funding, enabling and delivering health and social care research | professional_title =  | headquarters = | coordinates =  | origins = | region_served = | services = | methods =  | fields =  | membership =  | num_members_year =  | language =  | owner =  | secretary_general =  | leader_title = Responsible officer | leader_name = Lucy Chappell<ref name="Wilcock">{{Cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=Professor Lucy Chappell appointed as Chief Scientific Adviser|url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/professor-lucy-chappell-announced-next-chief-scientific-adviser-nihr-lead|website=King's College London}}</ref> | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | parent_organization = Department of Health and Social Care | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | endowment_year = | funding =  | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | website = {{Official URL}} }}

The '''National Institute for Health and Care Research''' ('''NIHR''') is the British government's major funder of clinical, public health, social care and translational research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Professor Lucy Chappell |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/lucy-chappell |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> With a budget of over £1.2 billion in 2020–21,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=NIHR Annual Report 2020/2021 |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/about-us/our-contribution-to-research/research-performance/Final-NIHR-Annual-report%2020_21.pdf |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=National Institute for Health Research}}</ref> its mission is to "improve the health and wealth of the nation through research".<ref name=":0" /> The NIHR was established in 2006 under the government's Best Research for Best Health strategy, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. As a research funder and research partner of the NHS, public health and social care, the NIHR complements the work of the Medical Research Council.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter|url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/best-research-for-best-health-the-next-chapter/27778|access-date=2021-12-13|website=www.nihr.ac.uk|language=EN}}</ref> NIHR focuses on translational research (translating discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic), clinical research and applied health and social care research.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8" />

==History== The NIHR (originally named '''National Institute for Health Research''') was created in April 2006 under the government's health research strategy, Best Research for Best Health.<ref name="best2006">{{cite web|date=25 Jan 2006|title=Best research for best health: a new national health research strategy|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-research-for-best-health-a-new-national-health-research-strategy|publisher=Department of Health and Social Care|quote=How the NHS in England will contribute to health research and development over the next 5 years}}</ref> This strategy outlined the direction that NIHR research and development should take. Its predecessor was the NHS Research & Development programme which was established in 1991. Factors influencing the creation of the NIHR were the growing importance of evidence-based medicine in science and policymaking, the spread of New Public Management thinking and increased government funding.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Atkinson|first1=Paul|last2=Sheard|first2=Sally|last3=Walley|first3=Tom|date=December 2019|title='All the stars were aligned'? The origins of England's National Institute for Health Research|journal=Health Research Policy and Systems|language=en|volume=17|issue=1|pages=95|doi=10.1186/s12961-019-0491-5|issn=1478-4505|pmc=6894247|pmid=31801552 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

Its budget was over £1.2 billion in 2020–21.<ref name=":5"/> {{as of|2016}} it was the largest national clinical research funder in Europe.<ref name=":8">{{cite journal |last1=Davies |first1=Sally |last2=Whalley |first2=Tom |last3=Smye |first3=Stephen |last4=Cotterill |first4=lisa |last5=Whitty |first5=Christopher |date=2016-12-01 |title=The NIHR at 10: transforming clinical research |journal=Clinical Medicine |volume=16 |issue=6 |pages=501–502 |doi=10.7861/clinmedicine.16-6-501 |pmid=27927810 |pmc=6297347 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In 2022 NIHR changed its name to National Institute for Health and Care Research in order to emphasise its role in social care research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR changes name to emphasise long-term commitment to social care research |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-changes-name-to-emphasise-long-term-commitment-to-social-care-research/30309 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=NIHR |language=EN}}</ref>

=== Notable discoveries and developments === * NIHR is among the world-leaders in COVID-19 research and recruited over a million people in their studies of the disease.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Angus |first1=Derek C. |last2=Gordon |first2=Anthony C. |last3=Bauchner |first3=Howard |date=2021-03-23 |title=Emerging Lessons From COVID-19 for the US Clinical Research Enterprise |journal=JAMA |language=en |volume=325 |issue=12 |pages=1159–1161 |doi=10.1001/jama.2021.3284 |pmid=33635309 |s2cid=232058163 |issn=0098-7484|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lurie |first1=Nicole |last2=Keusch |first2=Gerald T |last3=Dzau |first3=Victor J |date=9 March 2021 |title=Urgent lessons from COVID 19: why the world needs a standing, coordinated system and sustainable financing for global research and development |journal=The Lancet |language=en |volume=397 |issue=10280 |pages=1229–1236 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00503-1 |pmc=7993931 |pmid=33711296}}</ref> In the RECOVERY trial, NIHR researchers found that the inexpensive steroid dexamethasone lowers the mortality rate among Covid patients receiving breathing support in hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR to investigate new potential Covid-19 treatment |url=https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/nihr-potential-arthritis-covid-treatment |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=National Health Executive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The RECOVERY trial |url=https://www.ukri.org/our-work/tackling-the-impact-of-covid-19/vaccines-and-treatments/recovery-trial-identifies-covid-19-treatments/ |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=UKRI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=COVID treatment developed in the NHS saves a million lives |url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/03/covid-treatment-developed-in-the-nhs-saves-a-million-lives/ |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=NHS England |date=23 March 2021 }}</ref> The PANORAMIC study, which examined the efficacy of molnupiravir and Paxlovid, was awarded the Prix Galien for its design and implementation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Results |url=https://www.panoramictrial.org/results |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.panoramictrial.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PRINCIPLE and PANORAMIC teams honoured with prestigious Prix Galien Award |url=https://www.panoramictrial.org/news/principle-and-panoramic-teams-honoured-with-prestigious-prix-galien-award |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=www.panoramictrial.org |language=en}}</ref> * NIHR was one of the developers of the ''UK Standards for Public Involvement'' which set the framework on how to involve the public in research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Standards for Public Involvement |url=https://sites.google.com/nihr.ac.uk/pi-standards/home |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=NIHR |language=en}}</ref> * Delivered a trial for Haemophilia A which resulted in the first successful use of gene therapy for treating the condition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-12-14 |title=Haemophilia A trial results 'mind-blowing' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-42337396 |access-date=2022-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rangarajan |first1=Savita |last2=Walsh |first2=Liron |last3=Lester |first3=Will |last4=Perry |first4=David |last5=Madan |first5=Bella |last6=Laffan |first6=Michael |last7=Yu |first7=Hua |last8=Vettermann |first8=Christian |last9=Pierce |first9=Glenn F. |last10=Wong |first10=Wing Y. |last11=Pasi |first11=K. John |date=2017-12-28 |title=AAV5–Factor VIII Gene Transfer in Severe Hemophilia A |url=http://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa1708483 |journal=New England Journal of Medicine |language=en |volume=377 |issue=26 |pages=2519–2530 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1708483 |pmid=29224506 |s2cid=205102399 |issn=0028-4793|hdl=10044/1/57163 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> * Showed that using MRI is better for detecting prostate cancer than the more intrusive biopsy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |date=2017-03-07 |title=MRI scan before biopsy could detect more prostate cancer |url=https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000393/mri-scan-before-biopsy-could-detect-more-prostate-cancer |journal=NIHR Evidence |doi=10.3310/signal-000393|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ahmed |first1=Hashim U |last2=El-Shater Bosaily |first2=Ahmed |last3=Brown |first3=Louise C |last4=Gabe |first4=Rhian |last5=Kaplan |first5=Richard |last6=Parmar |first6=Mahesh K |last7=Collaco-Moraes |first7=Yolanda |last8=Ward |first8=Katie |last9=Hindley |first9=Richard G |last10=Freeman |first10=Alex |last11=Kirkham |first11=Alex P |date=January 19, 2017 |title=Diagnostic accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and TRUS biopsy in prostate cancer (PROMIS): a paired validating confirmatory study |journal=The Lancet |language=en |volume=389 |issue=10071 |pages=815–822 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32401-1|pmid=28110982 |s2cid=54563595 |doi-access=free |hdl=10044/1/53559 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> * Showed that gefapixant could be used to treat some types of cough, making it the first new cough medicine in 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2020 |title=Trials show new drug can ease symptoms of chronic cough |url=https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/trials-show-new-drug-can-ease-symptoms-of-chronic-cough/ |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=The University of Manchester |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Jaclyn A |last2=Kitt |first2=Michael M |last3=Morice |first3=Alyn H |last4=Birring |first4=Surinder S |last5=McGarvey |first5=Lorcan P |last6=Sher |first6=Mandel R |last7=Li |first7=Yu-Ping |last8=Wu |first8=Wen-Chi |last9=Xu |first9=Zhi Jin |last10=Muccino |first10=David R |last11=Ford |first11=Anthony P |date=25 February 2020 |title=Gefapixant, a P2X3 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of refractory or unexplained chronic cough: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, parallel-group, phase 2b trial |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2213260019304710 |journal=The Lancet Respiratory Medicine |language=en |volume=8 |issue=8 |pages=775–785 |doi=10.1016/S2213-2600(19)30471-0|pmid=32109425 |s2cid=211564345 }}</ref> * Demonstrated that a blood test can be used to better diagnose pre-eclampsia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |date=2019-07-09 |title=Placental growth factor testing can speed up diagnosis of pre-eclampsia |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/placental-growth-factor-testing-can-speed-up-diagnosis-of-pre-eclampsia |journal=NIHR Evidence |doi=10.3310/signal-000787|s2cid=241144942 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Duhig |first1=Kate E |last2=Myers |first2=Jenny |last3=Seed |first3=Paul T |last4=Sparkes |first4=Jenie |last5=Lowe |first5=Jessica |last6=Hunter |first6=Rachael M |last7=Shennan |first7=Andrew H |last8=Chappell |first8=Lucy C |last9=Bahl |first9=Rachna |last10=Bambridge |first10=Gabrielle |last11=Barnfield |first11=Sonia |date=4 May 2019 |title=Placental growth factor testing to assess women with suspected pre-eclampsia: a multicentre, pragmatic, stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial |journal=The Lancet |language=en |volume=393 |issue=10183 |pages=1807–1818 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(18)33212-4 |pmc=6497988 |pmid=30948284}}</ref>

== Research ==

=== Areas of focus === In June 2021 NIHR published Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter.<ref name=":0" /> The document, building on the 2006 Best Research for Best Health strategy, outlined the updated operational principles, core work-streams and areas of strategic focus of the NIHR.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NIHR publishes Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter|url=https://rdforum.nhs.uk/news/entry/21082/|website=NHS R&D Forum}}</ref> Their work-streams include funding research for the NHS, public and global health and social care; investing in expertise and facilities; and involving patients and communities in research.<ref name=":0" /> Their current areas of strategic focus include learning from impact of COVID-19 on research and healthcare; researching for patients with multiple long-term conditions, involving under-served communities and regions in research; and improving equality, diversity and inclusion across the Institution.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=|title=NIHR sets out research plans to help NHS recover post-COVID|url=https://futurecarecapital.org.uk/latest/nihr-sets-out-research-plans-to-help-care-system-recover-post-covid/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=Future Care Capital|language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Research programmes === The NIHR's funding programmes offer a focused source of funding for researchers within the health and care system in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also participate in some of these programmes. The programmes give researchers access to funding to undertake clinical and applied health and social care research.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our funding programmes|url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-project-funding/our-funding-programmes.htm|access-date=2021-12-31|website=NIHR}}</ref>

NIHR's funding programmes are: * Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rentel|first1=Maike C.|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK575338/|title=A 10-year impact assessment of the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme: an independent mixed-method evaluation study.|last2=Simpson|first2=Kelly|last3=Davé|first3=Anoushka|last4=Carter|first4=Scott|last5=Blake|first5=Margaret|last6=Franke|first6=Jan|last7=Hale|first7=Chris|last8=Varnai|first8=Peter|chapter=Plain English summary |date=Nov 2021|publisher=NIHR Journals Library|language=en}}</ref> * Evidence Synthesis * Health and Social Care Delivery Research * Health Technology Assessment<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chinnery|first1=Fay|last2=Bashevoy|first2=Gemma|last3=Blatch-Jones|first3=Amanda|last4=Douet|first4=Lisa|last5=Puddicombe|first5=Sarah|last6=Raftery|first6=James|date=2 February 2018|title=National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme research funding and UK burden of disease|journal=Trials|language=en|volume=19|issue=1|pages=87|doi=10.1186/s13063-018-2489-7|issn=1745-6215|pmc=5797405|pmid=29394905 |doi-access=free }}</ref> * Invention for Innovation<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Marjanovic|first1=Sonja|last2=Krapels|first2=Joachim|last3=Sousa|first3=Sonia|last4=Castle-Clarke|first4=Sophie|last5=Horvath|first5=Veronika|last6=Chataway|first6=Joanna|date=2015-11-30|title=The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme: A Review of Progress and Contributions to Innovation in Healthcare Technologies|journal=Rand Health Quarterly|volume=5|issue=2|pages=4|issn=2162-8254|pmc=5158284|pmid=28083380}}</ref> * National Research Collaboration Programme<ref>{{Cite web |title=Working with other funders of health research |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/partners-and-industry/other-funders.htm}}</ref> * Policy Research Programme * Programme Development Grants * Programme Grants for Applied Research * Public Health Research<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Dorling|first1=Hannah|last2=Cook|first2=Andrew|last3=Ollerhead|first3=Liz|last4=Westmore|first4=Matt|date=11 December 2015|title=The NIHR Public Health Research Programme: responding to local authority research needs in the United Kingdom|journal=Health Research Policy and Systems|language=en|volume=13|issue=1|pages=77|doi=10.1186/s12961-015-0068-x|issn=1478-4505|pmc=4676828|pmid=26652743 |doi-access=free }}</ref> * Research for Patient Benefit

=== Research schools === The NIHR has established three national research schools: the School for Primary Care Research,<ref name="spcr">[https://www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk The SPCR internship programme broadens perspectives and increases diversity] ''www.spcr.nihr.ac.uk'', accessed 10 March 2021</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|title=2021: Refreshed NIHR School for Primary Care Research|url=https://www.bristol.ac.uk/primaryhealthcare/news/2021/refreshed-nihr-school-for-primary-care-research.html|access-date=2022-01-05|website=University of Bristol|date=24 March 2021|language=en-GB}}</ref> the School for Social Care Research,<ref>[https://www.sscr.nihr.ac.uk Improving the evidence base for adult social care in England] ''www.sscr.nihr.ac.uk'', accessed 10 March 2021</ref> and the School for Public Health Research.<ref name="spcr" /> Each national school is a research collaboration between academic centres in England. The three schools take part in developing evidence for use in practice and provide training and career development opportunities for researchers in their respective sectors.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

=== Research units === NIHR funds a range of university-based collaborations that undertake research in priority areas: blood and organ donor health,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BTRUs |url=https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/research-and-development/current-research/btrus/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Research and Development - NHS Blood and Transplant |language=en}}</ref> health protection,<ref>{{Cite web |title=New £58.7 million funding boost for research to protect the health of the nation |url=https://www.clinicalservicesjournal.com/story/31812/new-58-7-million-funding-boost-for-research-to-protect-the-health-of-the-nation |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Clinical Services Journal|date=28 January 2020 }}</ref> and health and social care policy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Science |first=London School of Economics and Political |title=LSE to lead new health research unit |url=https://www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-news-from-LSE/2018/07-July-2018/LSE-to-lead-new-health-research-unit-in-adult-social-care.aspx |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=London School of Economics and Political Science |date=11 July 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Each unit focuses on a priority topic, for example blood donation, healthcare-associated infections, and adult social care.

===Global health research=== Supporting the UK International Development Strategy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, NIHR launched its Global Health portfolio in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government launches £60 million call for global health research |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-60-million-call-for-global-health-research |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> It funds applied health research that directly addresses the diverse health needs of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) using UK Aid from the UK government. As well as funding Global Health Research Units and Groups, partnerships between British universities and LMIC institutions, NIHR invests in training and development in global health research and strengthening the research capacity of LMICs at individual, institutional and system level.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Global health research |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/funding-programmes/global-health.htm |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=National Institute for Health Research}}</ref> Engaging and involving local communities in the design and delivery of health research is also part of the programme.<ref name="x38">{{Cite web |title=Engage and involve communities |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-global-health-funding/community-engagement-and-involvement.htm |access-date=2022-02-22 |website=NIHR}}</ref>

In accordance with NIHR's open access policy, research created with such funding needs to be published in an open access journal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR Open Access policy – for publications submitted on or after 1 June 2022 |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/nihr-open-access-policy-for-publications-submitted-on-or-after-1-june-2022/28999 |access-date=2022-01-05 |website=www.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref> NIHR's global health spendings can be checked through the database of the International Aid Transparency Initiative.<ref name=":9" />

Since 2020, NIHR's global health research units and groups have been involved in efforts to tackle the spread and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Supporting a global response |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/covid-19/supporting-a-global-response.htm |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=National Institute for Health Research}}</ref>

=== Public partnerships === The NIHR offers several ways for patients and the public to participate in health and care research. People can take part in a study as a research participant, for example in a clinical trial that looks for new treatments for a health condition. People who are not affected by a particular condition or who care for someone with a long-term health issue can also take part in research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I want to take part in a research study |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/patients-carers-and-the-public/i-want-to-take-part-in-a-study.htm |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=NIHR}}</ref> The NIHR runs the online services ''Be Part of Research'' and ''Join Dementia Research'' to inform the public about what health and care research is and to help them find studies that are looking for participants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Be Part of Research |url=https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Join Dementia Research |url=https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Patients and the public can also contribute to research through patient and public involvement (PPI). PPI is a partnership between members of the public (including patients, service users, carers) and researchers where public representatives can influence what should be a priority for research and help shape how the research is carried out, applied and communicated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I want to help with research |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/patients-carers-and-the-public/i-want-to-help-with-research/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=NIHR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Public Involvement |url=https://www.peopleinresearch.org/public-involvement/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=People in Research |language=en-gb}}</ref> Members of the public can find involvement opportunities in NIHR's research through the database ''People in Research''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=People in Research |url=https://www.peopleinresearch.org/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=People in Research |language=en-gb}}</ref> The website ''Learning for Involvement'' also offers information and resources for learning about public involvement and best practice case studies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.learningforinvolvement.org.uk/faqs/new-to-site/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=Learning For Involvement |language=en-GB}}</ref> The NIHR's global health research funding application process also requires applicants to meaningfully involve affected communities in their research, a practice known in the global health context as Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI).<ref name="x38" />

== Infrastructure == NIHR funds research infrastructure that provides expertise, specialist facilities, a delivery workforce and support services. This infrastructure supports and delivers research funded by government bodies, medical research charities, the life sciences industry and other relevant industries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Research Infrastructure |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/research-infrastructure.htm |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=NIHR}}</ref>

NIHR coordinates and supports clinical research through its Research Delivery Network (RDN).<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR initiates next phase of UK health research infrastructure |url=https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/nihr-initiates-next-phase-uk-health-research-infrastructure |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=National Health Executive |language=en}}</ref> With 12 regional networks across England, the RDN provides help to patients, the public and health and care organisations to participate in research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://rdn.nihr.ac.uk/about-us |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=NIHR RDN |language=en}}</ref> In 2021–22, the network recruited more than a million participants to clinical research studies, most of whom were taking part in research to help discover new treatments and vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Annual Statistics |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/what-we-do/our-research-performance/annual-statistics.htm |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=www.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref>

Since 2007, the NIHR also supports translating scientific developments into direct clinical treatments and applications through its twenty Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs).<ref>{{cite web|date=2017-09-14|title=New £816 million investment in health research|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-816-million-investment-in-health-research|access-date=2017-05-31|publisher=Department of Health}} 30x30px This content is available under the [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kiparoglou|first1=Vasiliki|last2=Brown|first2=Laurence A.|last3=McShane|first3=Helen|last4=Channon|first4=Keith M.|last5=Shah|first5=Syed Ghulam Sarwar|date=December 2021|title=A large National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre facilitates impactful cross-disciplinary and collaborative translational research publications and research collaboration networks: a bibliometric evaluation study|journal=Journal of Translational Medicine|language=en|volume=19|issue=1|pages=483|doi=10.1186/s12967-021-03149-x|issn=1479-5876|pmc=8626935|pmid=34838033 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The BRCs operate as partnerships between local NHS organisations and academic institutions such as the University of Oxford or University College London.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What is an NIHR BRC?|url=https://leedsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/what-is-an-nihr-brc/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Leeds Biomedical Research Centre|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre|url=https://oxfordbrc.nihr.ac.uk/about-us-intro/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre|language=en-US}}</ref> Around 2022, the NIHR established Clinical Research Facilities – dedicated spaces for delivering research and trials – at 28 NHS hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New £112 million investment in clinical research facilities |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-112-million-investment-in-clinical-research-facilities |access-date=2022-01-03 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=New NIHR funding for Clinical Research Facilities across England |url=https://www.ukcrfnetwork.co.uk/2022/02/28/new-nihr-funding-for-clinical-research-facilities-across-england/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=UKCRF |language=en-US}}</ref>

The NIHR also funds three Patient Safety Translational Research Centres which focus on translating discoveries on patient safety into practice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=£17 million invested in NIHR Patient Safety Translational Research Centres |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/17-million-invested-in-nihr-patient-safety-translational-research-centres/12278 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.nihr.ac.uk |language=EN}}</ref>

Researching specific regional health and care issues, the NIHR has a network of 15 Applied Research Collaborations. These are partnerships between universities, NHS healthcare providers, local authorities and other organisations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New NIHR Applied Research Collaborations to tackle the biggest challenges faced by the health and care system|url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-nihr-applied-research-collaborations-to-tackle-the-biggest-challenges-faced-by-the-health-and-care-system/21373|access-date=2021-12-23|website=National Institute for Health Research}}</ref> Based at NHS organisations, the NIHR Medtech and In vitro diagnostic Co-operatives work with commercial companies on developing new medical technologies and research in vitro diagnostic tests.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-03|title=Newly funded NIHR Medtech and In vitro diagnostic Co-operatives announced|url=http://www.translate-medtech.ac.uk/news/newly-funded-nihr-medtech-and-in-vitro-diagnostic-co-operatives-announced/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=Translate|language=en}}</ref>

Established by its Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure in 2011, the NIHR has eight Translational Research Collaborations – ready-formed networks of universities, NHS trusts and research centres that conduct early-phase translational research and tackle experimental medicine challenges in selected therapeutic themes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mansell |first=Peter |date=2011-10-11 |title=First two Translational Research Partnerships launched in UK |url=https://www.pharmatimes.com/news/first_two_translational_research_partnerships_launched_in_uk_980261 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=PharmaTimes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New research partnerships set to boost patient treatments and economic growth |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-research-partnerships-set-to-boost-patient-treatments-and-economic-growth |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

== Career development and support == The NIHR Academy, launched in 2018,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=New NIHR Academy launched to future-proof UK research workforce |url=https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/Research-and-Technology/new-nihr-academy-launched-to-future-proof-uk-research-workforce- |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=National Health Executive}}</ref> develops and coordinates the NIHR's academic training, career and research capacity development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Academy|url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/academy.htm |access-date=2021-12-29 |website=NIHR}}</ref> Its launch was an output and recommendation of the strategic review of training<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten Years on: Adapting and evolving to new challenges in developing tomorrow's health research leaders |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/explore-nihr/academy-programmes/NIHR%20Strategic%20Review%20of%20Training%202017.pdf |website=National Institute for Health Research}}</ref> which looked at the future training and support needs of researchers.

The NIHR Academy provides training and career development awards from pre-doctoral level to research professorships.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Career development support and training |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/career-development-support-and-training.htm |access-date=2021-12-29 |website=NIHR}}</ref> {{as of|2021}} the Dean of the NIHR Academy is Professor Waljit Dhillo,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reproductive health researcher named as Dean of the NIHR Academy |url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/220013/reproductive-health-researcher-named-dean-nihr/ |access-date=2021-12-23 |website=Imperial College London |date=27 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Professor in Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Consultant Endocrinologist. He also holds the position of Head of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at Imperial College London.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

The award of NIHR Senior Investigator is given to recognise "the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and the most outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research within the NIHR research community", and held for four years with the possibility of a second term and then alumnus status.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIHR Senior Investigators |url=https://cambridgebrc.nihr.ac.uk/research-faculty/nihr-senior-investigators/ |access-date=13 February 2022 |website=Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre}}</ref> The NIHR's flagship award is the Research Professorship which funds the clinical and applied health research of outstanding academics for 5-years. Similarly, the Global Health Research Professorship funds research that benefits low and middle income countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR Research Professorships |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/academy-programmes/research-professorships.htm |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=National Institute for Health and Care Research}}</ref>

== Key people and structure == Responsibility for the NIHR lies with the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Professor Sally Davies (Dame Sally from 2009) held this post from 2004 to 2016, and led the founding of the NIHR in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor Dame Sally Davies|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/sally-davies|access-date=2021-05-03|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor Dame Sally Davies|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/XYXY3DW2ZqRlN1XhrWc8y7/professor-dame-sally-davies|access-date=3 May 2021|website=Woman's Hour|publisher=BBC Radio 4}}</ref> She was succeeded by Professor Chris Whitty (who has also been Chief Medical Officer for England since 2019).<ref name="whitty">{{Cite web|title=Professor Chris Whitty|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/christopher-whitty|access-date=2021-05-03|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref>

Since August 2021, the current holder of the post is Lucy Chappell,<ref name="Wilcock" /> Professor of Obstetrics at King's College London.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 April 2021|title=New Chief Scientific Adviser and NIHR lead announced|url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-chief-scientific-adviser-and-nihr-lead-announced/27480|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref>

For operating the NIHR, the DHSC contracts with a number of NHS Trusts, universities and life science organisations that host NIHR's two coordinating centres:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Our governance |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-governance.htm |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=NIHR |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010205927/https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-governance.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> * NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHRCC), hosted by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Southampton, and LGC. * NIHR Research Delivery Network Coordinating Centre (RDNCC), hosted together by the University of Leeds. The Dean of the NIHR Academy and the Research Programme Directors are also contracted by the DHSC.<ref name=":1" />

== Publications == The NIHR publishes five peer-reviewed, open access journals which make up the NIHR Journals Library.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR Journals Library |url=https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/ |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref> The journals are titled Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation, Health and Social Care Delivery Research, Health Technology Assessment, Public Health Research, and Programme Grants for Applied Research. Researchers working in relevant, NIHR-funded projects are required to publish in an NIHR journal. Besides publishing the final research articles, the NIHR Journals Library supports the model of open science by providing a transparent, 'living' document for each research project which is updated alongside the progress of the study. This involves publishing all relevant materials from the outset of the studies, including the relevant systematic reviews, research protocol, study documentation, plain English descriptions, and data.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wright |first1=David |last2=Williams |first2=Elaine |last3=Bryce |first3=Colin |last4=le May |first4=Andrée |last5=Stein |first5=Ken |last6=Milne |first6=Ruairidh |last7=Walley |first7=Tom |date=31 July 2018 |title=A novel approach to sharing all available information from funded health research: the NIHR Journals Library |journal=Health Research Policy and Systems |language=en |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=70 |doi=10.1186/s12961-018-0339-4 |issn=1478-4505 |pmc=6069813 |pmid=30064444 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=Emma |last2=Gaisford |first2=Wendy |last3=Williams |first3=Elaine |last4=Brindley |first4=Elizabeth |last5=Tembo |first5=Doreen |last6=Wright |first6=David |date=9 October 2017 |title=Understanding Plain English summaries. A comparison of two approaches to improve the quality of Plain English summaries in research reports |journal=Research Involvement and Engagement |language=en |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=17 |doi=10.1186/s40900-017-0064-0 |issn=2056-7529 |pmc=5632836 |pmid=29062542 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The NIHR publishes short, easy-to-read summaries and thematic overviews of the most important research findings on the ''NIHR Evidence'' website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR Evidence - Informative and accessible health and care research |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/ |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=NIHR Evidence |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Everyone should have easy access to research findings |url=https://library.hee.nhs.uk/about/everyone-should-have-easy-access-to-research-findings |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=NHS Health Education England, Knowledge and Library Services}}</ref> Some of the summaries are also published in The British Medical Journal.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |title=NIHR Alerts |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/nihr-alerts |access-date=2021-12-14 |website=The BMJ}}</ref>

The NIHR also has an open science platform where researchers can share any kind of relevant articles, documents and data including negative or null results.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About NIHR Open Research {{!}} How It Works {{!}} Beyond A Research Journal |url=https://openresearch.nihr.ac.uk/about |access-date=2021-12-31 |website=openresearch.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR launch new publishing platform for researchers to share data quicker |url=https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/national-institute-for-health-and-care-research-launch-publishing-platform |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=National Health Executive |language=en}}</ref>

=== Open access === NIHR has an open access policy and was one of the original funders of Europe PubMed Central.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-15 |title=National Institute of Health Research announces open-access policy |url=https://universitybusiness.co.uk/research/national-institute-of-health-research-announces-open-access-policy/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=University Business |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NIHR open access policy |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/nihr-open-access-policy/12251 |access-date=2021-12-29 |website=www.nihr.ac.uk |language=EN}}</ref> Their updated policy requires all NIHR-funded, peer-reviewed research articles submitted after June 2022 have to be immediately, freely and openly accessible to all.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=NIHR Open Access policy - for publications submitted on or after 1 June 2022 |url=https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/nihr-open-access-policy/28999 |access-date=2021-12-29 |website=www.nihr.ac.uk}}</ref> The articles are required to use the Creative Commons attribution (CC BY) or the Open Government Licence (OGL).<ref name=":6" />

==Achievements and recognition== * In 2016, NIHR commissioned the independent RAND Europe think tank and the Policy Institute at King's College London to collate and synthesise 100 examples of positive change arising from NIHR's support of health and care research in its first 10 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1574.html|title=The National Institute for Health Research at 10 Years An impact synthesis: 100 Impact Case Studies |publisher=RAND Corporation|date=2016-05-28 |access-date=2017-05-31|last1=Morgan Jones |first1=Molly |last2=Kamenetzky |first2=Adam |last3=Manville |first3=Catriona |last4=Ghiga |first4=Ioana |last5=MacLure |first5=Calum |last6=Harte |first6=Emma |last7=Spisak |first7=Anton |last8=Kirtley |first8=Anne |last9=Grant |first9=Jonathan }}</ref> The assessment found that the NIHR had "transformed research & development in and for the NHS and the patients it serves".<ref name="RAND">{{cite web |url=https://www.rand.org/randeurope/research/projects/nihr-ten-years.html|title=The National Institute of Health Research at Ten Years |publisher=RAND Corporation |date=2016-05-28 |access-date=2017-05-31}}</ref> * In 2017, the NIHR was awarded one of the first 'Cochrane-REWARD prizes for reducing waste in research' for the Adding Value in Research Programme<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cochrane.org/news/cochrane-reward-prizes-reducing-waste-2017-winners|title=Cochrane-REWARD prizes for reducing waste: 2017 winners |publisher=Cochrane|date=2017-06-01 |access-date=2020-08-10}}</ref> * In 2018, an article published in Public Health identified that NHS trusts with increased NIHR-adopted clinical trial activity are associated with reduced mortality levels.<ref name="Science Direct">{{cite journal |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033350618300015|title=The correlation between National Health Service trusts' clinical trial activity and both mortality rates and care quality commission ratings: a retrospective cross-sectional study |date=2018-02-10 |doi=10.1016/j.puhe.2017.12.022 |access-date=2020-08-10|last1=Jonker |first1=L. |last2=Fisher |first2=S.J. |journal=Public Health |volume=157 |pages=1–6 |pmid=29438805 }}</ref> * In 2022, a study looking at clinical trial transparency among European medical research funders ranked NIHR the highest for being the most compliant in implementing best practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Study names NIHR as best in Europe for clinical trial transparency |url=https://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com/articles/study-names-national-institute-for-health-and-care-research-as-best-in-europe-for-clinical-trial-transparency |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=National Health Executive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bruckner |first1=Till |last2=Rodgers |first2=Florence |last3=Styrmisdóttir |first3=Lea |last4=Keestra |first4=Sarai |date=2022-08-01 |title=Adoption of World Health Organization Best Practices in Clinical Trial Transparency Among European Medical Research Funder Policies |journal=JAMA Network Open |language=en |volume=5 |issue=8 |pages=e2222378 |doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.22378 |pmid=35913742 |pmc=9344358 |s2cid=251221075 |issn=2574-3805}}</ref> * In September 2022, NIHR Cambridge BRC announced what is believed to be UK's first demonstration of genomic data federation by connecting the trusted research environments of NIHR Cambridge BRC with Genomics England as part of a UK Research & Innovation-funded project involving University of Cambridge, NIHR Cambridge BRC, Genomics England, Lifebit, Eastern Academic Health Science Network, and Cambridge University Health Partners.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nik-Zainal |first=Serena |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Multi-party trusted research environment federation: Establishing infrastructure for secure analysis across different clinical-genomic datasets |url=https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7085536 |journal=Zenodo|doi=10.5281/zenodo.7085536 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Separate research databases successfully federated in what is believed to be a UK first |url=https://www.easternahsn.org/federated-genomic-databases/ }}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website}} * [https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/ NIHR Evidence] — plain-language summaries of the most important findings of NIHR-funded research * [https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/ NIHR Journals Library] — NIHR's six open access journals publishing its funded research

Category:Government research Category:Health policy in the United Kingdom Category:National Institute for Health and Care Research Category:Medical research institutes in the United Kingdom Category:Science and technology think tanks based in the United Kingdom Category:Medical and health organisations based in England Category:Funding bodies of England Category:Research organisations in England Category:2006 establishments in England Category:Research funding agencies