Streamlined IRAS process for Be Part of Research
Published September 2, 2026
The IRAS process for adding the NIHR’s Be Part of Research volunteer registry as a recruitment/referral route has been significantly simplified and streamlined, including for studies already open for recruitment.
Following REC approval of the platform as a ‘sign-up register’, two major administrative hurdles have been removed:
- No automatic substantial modifications: Researchers no longer need to submit a substantial modification if adding Be Part of Research is the only change to an existing study.
- Lighter document submissions: In addition, researchers do not need to submit specific Be Part of Research materials (such as volunteer information pages, pre-screeners, or outreach emails) as additional documents for REC review solely because they sit on the platform. This applies provided those materials simply reflect your study’s approved protocol, eligibility criteria, and participant-facing information.
This important change will make it quicker and easier for researchers and Sponsors to use the Be Part of Research registry to support their study recruitment. The registry provides a powerful way for researchers to share study opportunities with a research-ready community of over 730,000 volunteers from across the UK.
For more information about this important change including how it simplifies the process for new and open studies, read more on Be Part of Research and HRA’s websites.