How we support study set-up and delivery
A coordinated route into the CRDC UK Network
The CRDC UK Network provides a coordinated, single point of contact for commercial study set-up and delivery across the UK's Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs).
We work with sponsors and CROs to identify the right Centres, expertise and delivery model for each study. From initial discussions through to study delivery, we provide a responsive, flexible and bespoke service, adapting our support to meet the needs of sponsors and each study.
Early engagement and feasibility
Early engagement helps ensure studies are appropriate for the UK and matched to the right Centres from the outset.
We support:
- Study scoping and early discussions with Key Opinion Leaders
- A single Expression of Interest (EOI) process
- Coordinated feasibility across Centres
- Real-time problem solving to maintain study set-up momentum
- Rapid access to the right expertise, Centres and delivery teams
- Early recruitment planning and support
- System-wide integration through the NIHR Industry Hub
This provides consolidated insight at pace, reducing duplication and supporting faster decision-making.
Identifying the right Centres and delivery model
We help identify:
- Centres with the right expertise, capacity and experience
- Delivery across primary, secondary, specialist and community settings
- Single-Centre and multi-Centre delivery models
- Centres with access to relevant patient populations
We can also provide insight on:
- NHS organisations involved in delivery
- Principal Investigators and clinical expertise
- Recruitment potential and delivery capability
This supports rapid and informed study placement, connecting sponsors with the right Centres and teams from the outset.
Supporting efficient study set-up
Our study set-up processes are closely aligned with the NIHR Industry Hub. We provide additional capacity across the research system to ensure that CRDC UK Network-led studies are efficiently project managed and expedited where required. We also work in partnership with the Industry Hub to support the delivery of CRDC-supported studies.
CRDC UK Network-led studies are triaged through the NIHR Industry Hub process. Decisions are informed by factors including the selection of the CRDC Chief Investigator (CI) site and the proportion of CRDC sites participating in the study. The CRDC UK Network also works closely with non-CRDC sites and collaborates with the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) to support any required escalations.
Through UK-wide coordination, we support:
- Timely and efficient engagement between sponsors, CROs and Centres
- Direct access to the clinical, operational, and delivery experts across the Network
- Clear communication throughout study set-up, mapping out key milestones
- Alignment of set-up activities across sites
- Supporting sponsor-led metrics (such as the 150 day set-up metric across all sites)
- Rapid identification and resolution of issues that could impact timelines
Our approach focuses on speed, clarity and consistency, helping studies move efficiently into delivery.
Supporting successful study delivery
The CRDC UK Network provides ongoing support throughout study delivery to help studies meet agreed timelines and recruitment targets.
Our support includes:
- Timely responses to queries and requests
- Proactive coordination between sponsors, CROs and Centres
- Escalation and resolution of delivery challenges
- Recruitment support and optimisation
- Performance monitoring and oversight
- Sharing best practice across all sites
- Targeted support where additional assistance is needed
We use data and performance insights to identify risks, monitor recruitment and delivery performance, support informed decision-making and enable proactive intervention where support is needed.
We work proactively with sponsors, CROs and Centres to resolve challenges quickly, maintain momentum and support delivery to time and target.
Flexible support tailored to your needs
No two studies are the same, and the needs of sponsors and contract research organisations (CROs) differ. We provide bespoke support across all aspects of study set-up and delivery, tailoring our approach to the requirements of each sponsor and study.
Whether support is needed with feasibility, Centre identification, recruitment, performance management or delivery challenges, we provide targeted support where it adds greatest value.
Through a single point of contact to the CRDC UK Network, sponsors can access the expertise, capability and coordination needed to accelerate study set-up, support successful delivery and achieve recruitment goals.
Patient and public insight
When required or requested by sponsors, we can facilitate access to patient and public insight to:
PPIEP input is proportionate and aligned with local delivery arrangements.
- Inform study design
- Enhance participant-facing materials
- Support inclusive approaches
This is proportionate and aligned to study requirements.
Ongoing coordination
The Network continues to support coordination as studies move into delivery, while delivery remains led by CRDCs and their partners. The Network will support with escalations and problem solving, often creating opportunities for sharing of best practice among sites.
Discuss your study with the CRDC UK Network
If you are planning a commercial clinical study in the UK, the CRDC UK Network can support you.