UK clinical
research update

The following updates are from the dedicated partners who support the the development of a faster, more efficient and more innovative clinical research delivery system. 

• NIHR Research Workforce Update for England – The Research Workforce Update for England sets out how partners are strengthening research careers to drive improvements in health and social care and deliver economic growth. The update responds to the ambitions of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan, the Life Sciences Sector Plan, and the recommendations of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) on strengthening clinical academic careers. The UKCRD Programme will oversee actions related to the clinical research delivery workforce and embedding research into the NHS. Read the full story on the NIHR website. 
• Non-Commercial Clinical Trial Set-Up Performance Data – While there has needed to be concerted support for commercial clinical trials, the UK is committed to improving the environment for all clinical research, helping to ensure that patients can benefit from high-quality studies and that researchers can deliver research efficiently across the health and care system. Review the data and read more about performance in the non-commercial research sector which is also improving due to sector-wide improvements. 
• HRA is seeking feedback from non-commercial research sponsors across the UK who currently alter the non-commercial template or use bespoke research agreements. Share your views by 5pm on Friday 14 August 2026. This will inform HRA’s work towards mandating the unaltered use of non-commercial agreements in early 2027, as part of streamlining study set-up in the UK.  
• HRA published its 2025–26 Annual Report and Accounts which gives an overview of HRA’s performance in the last financial year, including the time it takes to review and approve applications for health and social care research.
• MHRA published its 2025–26 Annual Report and Accounts highlighting a year of strong and consistent delivery. Looking ahead to 2026–27, the MHRA will implement the new UK Clinical Trials Regulations, including a 14-day first assessment for phase 1 clinical trials, making it easier and faster to run safe, high-quality clinical trials in the UK.
• Read a new article from the MHRA’s Chief Executive on making regulation a catalyst, not a barrier, for UK life sciences, driving innovation and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader. 
• NIHR has published its Annual Report for 2025/26 which includes reflections on accelerating innovation, restoring global competitiveness and transforming clinical research through reduced commercial study set-up times. The average commercial trial set-up time was lowered from 169 to 122 days in the first half of the year and 73% of studies met the 150-day benchmark, compared with 45% the previous year. Read the full story on the NIHR website. 
• The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Registered CTU Network has launched a new name and visual identity, becoming the UK Registered CTU Network. This evolution reflects its role as a nationally-recognised collective of Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) supporting excellence, collaboration, efficiency, and high-quality, publicly funded clinical research across the UK. Read the full story.
• Applications are now open for eight General Practice Commercial Clinical Trials Fellowships across Scotland which will help expand commercial clinical trial delivery into primary care and community settings while increasing the number of commercial trials available across the country. 
• NHS Research Scotland joined colleagues across the sector in marking a powerful double milestone for healthcare on 5 July, as the NHS anniversary coincided with global Research Appreciation Day. Read the full story.
• The ATTC network has published a new report providing an overview of the UK’s Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) clinical trials landscape and how the UK is building institutional readiness to support delivery at scale. The ATTC network is helping deliver the UK Government’s ambition to accelerate commercial clinical trials. 
• ABPI launched a new Pharmaceutical Impact Map which brings together local and national data to show how pharmaceutical companies support communities across the UK. Users can explore the industry’s impact in their local area, region or nation, with information on NHS-industry collaborations, employment, economic contribution, manufacturing sites, research activity and wider investment.
• MHRA published a new report on data requirements to support regulatory decision making and provide a regulator’s view on what the UK Health Data Research Service must deliver.