For Researchers

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The NIHR Cambridge CRF delivers early phase experimental medicine and clinical translational research, including industry-collaborative and industry-contracted studies in all health specialties.

We have developed long-standing relationships with many campus research teams, supporting the development of their ideas from proof-of-concept studies through to clinical translation, commercialisation and regulatory approval. Innovations such as alemtuzumab therapy for multiple sclerosis, the artificial pancreas for treatment of diabetes and the Cytosponge device for diagnosis of oesophageal pre-cancer and are amongst the many life-changing advances made possible through our facility.

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Cambridge CRF team reviewing a study

Pre-application Enquires

If you are interested in running a study at one of our facilities, please contact us to discuss your needs first before applying formally. We are very happy to offer preliminary meetings and tours. We can help with assessing feasibility, advising on costs and navigating the regulatory landscape.

All studies require a local Principal Investigator and named clinicians who will provide medical cover.

To discuss your study, please contact:

For NIHR Cambridge CRF, our Director of Operations via CRF Enquiries email.

For Heart & Lung Research Institute (HLRI) CRF, the HLRI-CRF Operations Manager via hlri.crf@nhs.net 

For general enquiries about our facilities please contact our Business and Operations Manager via CRF Enquiries email.

Study Application Process

The Cambridge Clinical Research Centre (CCRC) is the overarching organisation that includes all of our clinical research facilities, including the Heart & Lung Research Institute (HLRI) CRF. The CCRC Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) reviews all research applications. The SAB convenes monthly, on the first Thursday of the month; the dates and deadlines for submission are shown below.

To register a new application, please download and complete our application form and send it to:

For NIHR Cambridge CRF   cuh.ccrc.applications@nhs.net

For HLRI-CRF hlri.crf@nhs.net

We will require a study protocol and as much other supporting documentation as you have available at this stage. Before the study starts we will require evidence of approval by an ethics committee, the MHRA (if applicable) and confirmation of capacity and capability from the CUH R&D office.

Once your submission has been discussed at the SAB, you will receive written notification of the outcome within a week.

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Scientific Advisory Board Meeting Dates

Member of staff in a white lab coat pipetting into a sample tube in a laboratory cabinet. Other samples are in a tube rack

Submissions Date

14 December 2023
11 January 2024
08 February 2024
14 March 2024
11 April 2024
09 May 2024
13 June 2024
11 July 2024
08 August 2024
12 September 2024
10 October 2024
14 November 2024
12 December 2024

SAB Meeting Date

11 January 2024
01 February 2024
07 March 2024
04 April 2024
02 May 2024
06 June 2024
11 July 2024
01 August 2024
05 September 2024
03 October 2024
07 November 2024
05 December 2024
09 January 2025

Communicating your Research

NIHR Statement and Acknowledgement

​When communicating your research through research publications, conference posters or presentations or via other means, it is important to include full and accurate attribution to the organisations that fund and support the underpinning research so they can be reported to funders and beyond. We request that you use the following statements.

For further guidance, please send an email to cuh.ccrcpublications@nhs.net

Statement (Including Funder and Disclaimer)

This is a summary of independent research funded by [name of research funder] and carried out at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Cambridge Clinical Research Facility (CRF). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the [name of the research funder], the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Acknowledgement only (for use within a broader set of acknowledgements/disclaimers)

The research was carried out at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Cambridge Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

Publication Reporting

In our annual reports to the NIHR we are obliged to include outcomes from work conducted in our CRF.

Please send details of all peer-reviewed publications, other outputs and impacts to: cuh.ccrcpublications@nhs.net

Policies

The CCRC applies the Research and Development policies and procedures of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which are available on the CUH website.

The CCRC Operational Policy can be viewed or downloaded via this link.