Manchester CRF’s streamlined application process has been designed to turn around applications as quickly and efficiently as possible. In particular, we aim to run alongside Research Ethics, R&D, and MHRA applications, and to meet the NIHR timeline of 70 days from valid R&D application through to first participant visit.
Preliminary discussion
If you are interested in running a research study at the CRF, you are encouraged to contact us before applying, in order to discuss your needs informally. We are very happy to offer preliminary meetings, tours, and demonstrations of equipment. It is especially important to contact us at this early stage if you are unclear about the study’s Research Ethics, R&D, or MHRA requirements, or if there are likely to be complex governance or personnel requirements — for example, if your study is running across multiple NHS Trusts. Please contact our study team with all enquiries (email: rsm-mcrf@mft.nhs.uk, telephone: +44 161 906 7517/7515).
Application Process
Application form
To register a new application with us formally, please download and complete our application form, and return it electronically to our team (rsm-mcrf@mft.nhs.uk). It is important that you include a study protocol and as much other supporting documentation as you have available at this stage. In the case of CTIMPs, we request a copy of the Investigator Brochure to inform the report of our Application Review Committee.
Application meeting
We may request a face-to-face meeting with researchers for each application before taking the submission forward. The purpose of an application meeting is for us to clarify the logistical arrangements required in order to run the study safely and effectively. It is also an opportunity for the Research Nurse assigned to your study to meet the Principal Investigator and any other members of the research team. We recognise that your time is valuable, and therefore we aim to meet only once about each study.
Application Review Committee (ARC)
We review all new applications on a fortnightly basis. ARC evaluates the feasibility of running the study and the strategic priority of the research. It makes a decision based on the availability of staff and resources.
Outcome
Once your submission has been discussed at ARC, you will receive written notification of the outcome within about a week. If you have any queries at any point during this process, please feel free to contact our team (rsm-mcrf@mft.nhs.uk; +44 (0)161 906 7517/7515).