NCVR update for sponsors and CROs

To support faster study set-up, improved consistency, and delivery of the UK’s single sign off ambitions, several changes have been introduced to the NCVR process for iCTs submitted from 1 July 2026. This messaging was shared via National Contract Value Review (NCVR) process improvement – ukcrd.org. The following update is to ensure sponsors/CROs are aware of what this means for them at an operational level and it should be shared with anyone involved in submitting or reviewing iCTs under NCVR.

What Sponsor Representatives Need to Do Before Submitting an iCT

Before submitting an iCT, approach and obtain agreement from:

  • Single-centre studies: one Lead Study Resource Reviewer (SRR) organisation (study single site).
  • UK multi-centre studies: one Lead SRR organisation and one Second SRR from a different organisation.

The Second SRR should be selected from one of your participating sites only, and considering factors such as different settings, expertise, populations or representation from another UK nation where relevant.

Sponsor representatives must ask their nominated SRR roles/organisation to confirm they:

  • Agree to undertake their respective review role within the agreed NCVR timelines; and
  • To provide the email addresses used by them for iCT access.

These details must be entered into Tab A of the NCVR checklist and uploaded as part of the initial iCT submission. Reviewer details must be provided for the submission to be allocated. For multi-centre studies, in the event no participating site agrees to act as the second reviewer organisation, a second reviewer is deemed not required and this must be documented clearly in Tab A of the checklist (e.g. “all sites declined – must proceed without second reviewer”).

The Checklist also includes optional quality checks designed to support high-quality submissions. The NCVR Checklist, NCVR Standards and template emails are available on NIHR Learn (Course: NCVR training | NIHR Learn) and are attached for ease.

What Happens Next?

The overall process is expected to be completed within 30 calendar days of submission. This consists of:

  • NHS Study Resource Review: completed within 20 calendar days of submission.
  • Sponsor complete review and response: within 5 calendar days.
  • Final resolution (if required): up to a further 5 calendar days.

Following completion of NHS SRR, Sponsor representatives are expected to either:

  • Accept and finalise budget or
  • Provide any remaining queries for resolution within the following 5 calendar days
  • If additional queries are raised the SRR(s) has/have 5 further calendar days to consider these and finalise their review.

Site Escalations

For studies submitted from 1 July 2026 onwards, escalations from site are no longer permitted. Sponsor should ensure this is clear in communications with all participating sites.

  • Participating sites accept national agreed budget.
  • Sponsors and CROs decline all escalations.
  • Any attempted site escalations should be reported to the NIHR Industry Hub for review and support.

Support Available

Sponsors are encouraged to engage with the appropriate nation lead as early as possible for support.

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