Announcements:

Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG):
All CAG applications are now booked and submitted by email only. If you are applying via the full review pathway you will be invited to attend the review meeting via Zoom. Refer to the IRAS Help guidance for more information.

Research involving staff as participants: If your research only involves staff participants, you may be eligible for a new pilot where applicants submit a reduced IRAS question set. Find out more in our ‘Streamlining research applications where NHS staff are participants’ guidance

Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) and Combined trials of an investigational medicinal product and an investigational medical device (IMP/Device trials):
It is no longer possible for a new CTIMP or IMP/Device trial application to be made using this part of IRAS. If you have an existing CTIMP or IMP/Device trial project that has not yet been submitted, you will no longer be able to do so here.

All CTIMPs and IMP/Device trials now need to apply using the combined review service, which can be accessed using the new part of IRAS. Please refer to the guidance on the HRA website for instructions on how to apply for combined review. If you have any queries related to applying for combined review please contact cwow@hra.nhs.uk. If your combined review application involves ionising radiation and/or an investigational medical device, please refer to IRAS Help guidance.

MHRA notification scheme - you should check if your trial meets the criteria for the new notification scheme. If it does, follow the instructions on the MHRA website to register your interest. Trials eligible for the MHRA's scheme, may also be eligible for fast-track REC review service, and applications are submitted through combined review.

Ionising radiation form for combined review: The ionising radiation form for combined review has been simplified. Refer to the IRAS Help guidance for more information.

22 March 2023: IRAS updated to v6.3.5: This version implements a maintenance update. Please refer to the Updates page for more information.

9 February 2023: IRAS updated to v6.3.4: This version implements a maintenance update. Please refer to the Updates page for more information.

14 November 2022: IRAS updated to v6.3.3: This version implements additional fields in the MHRA Devices Form. Please refer to the Updates page for more information.

• Is a single system for applying for the permissions and approvals for health and social care / community care research in the UK
• Generates the IRAS ID, which has been adopted by stakeholders across the UK as the common study identifier
• Enables you to enter the information about your project once instead of duplicating information in separate application forms
• Uses filters to ensure that the data collected and collated is appropriate to the type of study, and consequently the permissions and approvals required
• Helps you to meet regulatory and governance requirements

• Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC)
• Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG)
• Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC)
• Health Research Authority (HRA) and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) for projects seeking HRA & HCRW Approval
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• NHS / HSC R&D offices
• NHS / HSC Research Ethics Committees
• Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
  
• Social Care Research Ethics Committee