RDN Portfolio data published: more than 1 million participants take part in NIHR-supported research

Date: 22 September 2025

When the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) replaced the NIHR Clinical Research Network in October 2024, the regional boundaries were redefined. The latest Portfolio data for 2024/25 therefore combines information from both networks, providing a comprehensive snapshot during this transition.

The key points from the latest data are as follows:

• In 2024/25, over 1 million participants engaged in over 4,000 delivered by the NHS and social care sector and supported by NIHR. The research was targeted towards the biggest killers including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
• Studies supported by the NIHR RDN in 2024/25 took place in a variety of settings including hospitals, GP practices, and homes, with many healthy volunteers participating.
• Commercial studies supported by the NIHR recruited 37,868 people, equating to an average of £31,259 per person for the NHS.
• GP practices recruited participants to 1,626 studies, this represents 25% of all GP practices in England.  Research in GP practices continues to remain a key location to enrol the public in research, ensuring research is delivered in the community.

This year’s figures highlight the NIHR’s success in supporting research delivery while strategically aligning with government priorities to bring more commercial research to the nation and reduce set-up times.

A key NIHR priority is to improve access to research opportunities by working with partners across the UK Clinical Research Delivery system. This latest data demonstrates the success of this collective effort.

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