Study Preparation

If the research involves the NHS or social care organisations, HRA approval is required and NHS REC approval may be required. Applications for HRA and NHS REC approvals are made online via the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS). To abide by the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, the research must be sponsored.

To prepare the IRAS form – please use the following resources:

To apply for LJMU sponsorship you will need to email sponsor@ljmu.ac.uk with the following documents:

From the IRAS form checklist (To access the checklist complete the Project Filter to select the type of research and enable other sections and forms relevant to the project). From the Navigate page select the project form that you want to view the document checklist for (by selecting the form from the ‘Project Forms’ menu on the left hand of the page), and click on the ‘Checklist’ tab on the right hand side of the Navigation page:

  • Summary CV for Chief Investigator (CI)
  • Study protocol (based on TEM003 Research protocol Template for IRAS Application)
  • Validated questionnaires / Non-validated questionnaires / Interview schedules (as applicable)
  • Participant facing documents (information sheets (e.g. TEM003 LJMU Participant Information Sheet Template for HRA Approved Research), consent forms, recruitment material etc. (as applicable)
  • Evidence of peer review - copy of Independent peer review or grant award letter with confirmation of peer review and statistical review (if required)
  • Organisation Information Document (OID) for non-commercially sponsored projects – template and guidance (unless the participating R&D office confirms in writing that they are happy to conduct their review without an OID. (Only required if the IRAS form is submitted for HRA approval)
  • Evidence of Sponsor insurance or indemnity
  • Confirmation of funding (if applicable/available)
  • Evidence of costing and confirmation of adequate funding available for the duration of the study
  • Letter confirming co-sponsorship from the Trust (if applicable/available)
  • Agreements/contracts that have or will been agreed/negotiated (if applicable)

Sponsor review cannot begin until all of required information has been sent to sponsor@ljmu.ac.uk.

For further information please refer to SOP001 LJMU Research Sponsorship Application Process and SOP003 Roles and Responsibilities for LJMU Sponsored Research.

NHS Research Passport Scheme

Application Procedure for LJMU Staff and Postgraduate Students

LJMU staff applications are dealt with by People and Organisational Development.

LJMU staff wishing to apply for an NHS Research Passport should first read the National Institute for Health Research guidance for completing the Research Passport application form.

LJMU staff should then contact either Joanne Wilson, Business Partner, ext 8115 or Sandra McCrystal, Business Partner, ext 8116.

Please note that the application process takes some time to complete therefore all applicants are advised to apply at least two to three months prior to the start date of their project.

LJMU postgraduate student applications are currently dealt with by the Doctoral Academy.

Find out more information by reading the Good practice resource pack.