Portfolio
Research Portfolio
The Diabetes Research Network is working to develop a high quality and balanced portfolio of trials and other well designed studies that cover all aspects of the topic.
Studies that are included in the DRN portfolio can benefit from the support of DRN-funded staff working in Local Research Networks. This support might range from publicising the study to help with R&D approval applications, to the identification and recruitment of patients and will depend on the resources available at individual sites.
Type of studies Supported
To be considered for NIHR Clinical Research Network Support within the Diabetes Portfolio a study must:
- Be a ‘research study’ which is defined by the Department of Health as “the attempt to derive generalisable (i.e. of value to others in a similar situation) new knowledge by addressing clearly defined questions with systematic and rigorous methods"
- Have full research funding. This is the primary determinant of eligibility for consideration for NIHR CRN support. Study Funders (companies, institutions or organisations) determine the eligibility ‘route’ of a study for consideration for NIHR CRN support.
Automatically eligible
- A study which has some of its funding provided by the NIHR, other areas of Government or NIHR non-commercial Partners (and fulfils the criteria above) is automatically eligible for consideration for NIHR CRN support.
- NIHR non-commercial Partners are organisations that:
Award research funds as a result of open competition in England with high quality peer review (definitions of open competition and high quality peer review can be found at www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/portfolio_eligibility) - Fund research that is of clear value to the NHS
- Take appropriate account of the priorities, needs and realities of the NHS in making decisions about the research that they fund.
Potentially eligible
- An investigator initiated trial (i.e. commercial collaborative research) and a study which is funded by an overseas Government or an overseas charity, is potentially eligible for consideration for NIHR CRN support.
- A potentially eligible study must undergo a formal adoption process to be considered for NIHR CRN support.
- The non-commercial adoption process involves review by subject specific experts against specific criteria focused on:
- Quality (as evidence by peer review)
- Feasibility of the study to run in the UK
- Benefit to the NHS
- Funding open to all qualified researchers in England
For more information on the portfolio eligibility criteria please contact the Diabetes Research Network Coordinating Centre using the email form provided on our Contact Us page.
Benefits
The DRN provides coordinated, efficient access to a large and diverse patient population across a range of clinical services and demographics. Collectively it has extensive knowledge and experience in diabetes research and has close links with centres of excellence and key opinion leaders. It has streamlined processes from a single point of contact which can help assess the feasibility of a project at an early stage and place a project in sites which will recruit well. It adds value for both researchers and funders, ensuring projects are set up quickly and facilitating local financial, contractual, ethics and governance arrangements. It monitors recruitment objectives throughout a project. It has a standing workforce of highly trained research staff to assist with streamlined recruitment of participants. It will promote a recruiting study both locally and nationally. Any non commercial study within the portfolio has access to service support costs.
Study Support
Feasibility
The network can facilitate detailed feasibility from a single point of contact and will help decide where best to place a project so that it recruits well.
Scientific input
The network can provide access to key opinion leaders to help inform a study at the development and early feasibility stage.Patient and public involvement
We can provide access to patient and public opinion to help design study information sheets and other study specific material.
Project set up
The network will provide advice and a single point of contact for coordinating all governance set up criteria including local ethics and R & D approval.
Trained workforce
A highly trained workforce of research staff will be able to start a project quickly, identify eligible patients and provide information and support for other study staff.
Progress mapping
The network will regularly monitor project progress and recruitment rates which will help identify any problems early and maximise the chances of an effective solution.
Dissemination
The network will help promote projects both locally and nationally and will publicise results following their completion via the NIHR CRN portfolio database.
Training Opportunities for Researchers - http://www.crncc.nihr.ac.uk/training
UKCRN Portfolio Database
If your study is adopted by the DRN, it will be included in the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database.
The Portfolio database captures activity data and provides analysis tools to facilitate active management of current studies, and the feasibility of future studies run within the Clinical Research Network.
Study teams are required to complete the Minimum Data Set form so that a study can be set up on the UKCRN Portfolio database.
Activity-based-funding is driven by the data which is held on the UKCRN Portfolio Database and it is therefore essential that your study record is kept up-to-date. This includes:
- Changes in study status
- Start and End of recruitment
- Sample size
The study teams are also responsible for submitting the recruitment data on a monthly basis. The DRN can offer help and advice about updating the Portfolio Database. Please use the email form provided on our Contact Us page.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Portfolio Helpdesk: [email protected]