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IRAS

The Integrated Research Application System (IRAS):

-Is a single system for applying for the permissions and approvals for health and social care / community care research in the UK.
-Enables you to enter the information about your project once instead of duplicating information in separate application forms.
-Uses filters to ensure that the data collected and collated is appropriate to the type of study, and consequently the permissions and approvals required.
-Helps you to meet regulatory and governance requirements.
Retains familiar aspects of the NRES form system.


IRAS captures the information needed for the relevant approvals from the following review bodies:

-Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC).
-Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC).
-Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
-Ministry of Justice.
-NHS / HSC R&D offices.
NRES/ NHS / HSC Research Ethics Committees.
-National Information Governance Board (NIGB).
-National Offender Management Service (NOMS).
-Social Care Research Ethics Committee.


Please click here to go to the IRAS website. Please click here for IRAS getting started guide.

Frequently asked questions:

SSI Forms

  
   

Q: How do I complete Q23. Authorisations required prior to R&D approval?

  

Authorisations signatures required will include:

Chief investigators/Principal Investigators line or departmental manager.
 
NHS Service department leads (e.g. biochem, medical records, haematology) as appropriate to research support requirements for the study in question - The support department signatures indicates that discussion has taken place with the support departments and that support has been agreed in principle.


Required Authorisation signatures on the SSI will not include:

Caldicott Guardian approval
 
Authorisations regarding Research Passports / honorary contracts/letters of access.
These will be dealt with separately as part of the NHS Management review and approval process.

N.B. Evidence of authorisation is not limited to signatures on the SSI Q23 section and can include:
Email correspondence trail clearly evidencing that the support department in question is aware of the research proposal and has provisionally agreed support AND/OR letters of support from review committees authorised to agree and provide support for the research in question for the Board in question
 
N.B. Other health boards may interpret their SSI requirements slightly differently and signatures may be required. It's best to ask the appropriate local NHS R&D manager.