Advice on completing and submitting applications

Please contact the relevant source of advice for each type of application.

1. Research Ethics Committee (REC)

For advice on the REC application process, please go to https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/help/hlpethicalreview.aspx or phone the REC Manager of your local/chosen REC. Contact details for all RECs in the UK are available in the REC Directory.

If you cannot obtain the answer to your question, please contact queries@hra.nhs.uk. 

2. NHS management permission ("R&D approval")

England:
From 31 March 2016 all applications to conduct research in the NHS in England came under HRA Approval. Note: on 16 April 2018, HRA Approval became HRA and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) Approval ('HRA and HCRW Approval') and now applies to all project-based research taking place in the NHS in England and Wales. Please refer to IRAS guidance for HRA and HCRW Approval.

Northern Ireland:
For further guidance on seeking HSC R&D Permission for participating HSC organisations in Northern Ireland please refer to the HSC website.

Scotland:
For all enquiries relating to the multicentre R&D review in Scotland through NHS Research Scotland (NRS), please contact the Coordinating Unit at  gram.nrspcc@nhs.scot. Further information is available from the NHS Research Scotland Permissions Coordinating Centre (NRS Permission CC) website. For all enquiries related to single-centre research in Scotland you should contact the local R&D office. For further guidance on seeking NHS R&D Permission in Scotland please refer to the NHS Research Scotland website.

Wales:
On 16 April 2018, HRA Approval became HRA and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) Approval ('HRA and HCRW Approval') and now applies to all project-based research taking place in the NHS in England and Wales. For information on how to prepare and submit an application for HRA and HCRW Approval please refer to the IRAS Help page. For information relating to site setup and local processes for the NHS in Wales please refer to the HCRW website. If after this you still require support and your query relates to sites in Wales, please email the HCRW team at: HCRW.approvals@wales.nhs.uk.

For all other enquiries about applying to conduct research in NHS/HSC organisations anywhere in the UK, please contact your local NHS/HSC R&D office. Contact details and further information are available on the NHS R&D Forum website.

3. Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) applications

For advice on all gene therapy applications, please refer to: Gene Therapy Advisory Committee webpage

4. Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) applications

The Health Research Authority (HRA) is responsible for the review function under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 . The HRA has established the Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) to review applications and provide advice to the HRA in respect of this function. Please refer to IRAS guidance on applying to CAG.

To contact the Confidentiality Advisory Group regarding the content of your CAG application email: cag@hra.nhs.uk Note if you are experiencing technical issues or need general assistance with using IRAS then please go to the Technical Helpdesk or IRAS Queries (contact details below).

5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Medicines

For applications for authorisation of clinical trials of investigational medicinal products, please refer to the guidance on the MHRA website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/clinical-trials-for-medicines-apply-for-authorisation-in-the-uk.

Further advice on particular submissions may be sought from the Clinical Trials Unit at MHRA by emailing clintrialhelpline@mhra.gov.uk 

6. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Devices Division

For advice on the regulation of medical devices in the UK and for applications for Notice of No Objection in the case of clinical investigations of medical devices conducted by manufacturers, please contact the MHRA Devices Division. Contact details and further guidance are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notify-mhra-about-a-clinical-investigation-for-a-medical-device.


7. Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC)

ARSAC applications are required where research involves the administration of radioactive substances. Further guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/administration-of-radioactive-substances-advisory-committee. The ARSAC Support Unit may be contacted via email at: arsac@ukhsa.gov.uk or by telephone: 01235 825006 or 01235 825007.


8. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)

For advice on the research application process within HMPPS please see:
Research at HMPPS - HM Prison and Probation Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 

For further guidance and assistance please contact the National Research Coordinator at National.Research@justice.gov.uk 

9. Health Research Authority (HRA)

For guidance on applying for HRA and HCRW Approval, please go to the IRAS Help page  and/or the HRA website. If your question is not answered by this guidance, please contact the HRA Approval team (email: approvals@hra.nhs.uk ) 

For general queries on functionality and to provide feedback on IRAS

Please email us at iras.queries@hra.nhs.uk if you have any general queries about the system or its functionality. Please also use this email address if you would like to provide feedback on IRAS.

Technical support

If you require help with the technical aspects of using IRAS, please contact the IRAS Technical Helpdesk on 0207 043 0734 or email them at helpdesk@myresearchproject.org.uk. The IT Help Desk operates (9am to 5pm excluding holidays and weekends).