Joint Clinical Research Office (JCRO)

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Joint Clinical Research Office is a one-stop shop to support clinical research involving both the Â鶹´«Ã½ and University Hospitals Â鶹´«Ã½ NHS Trust
Â鶹´«Ã½ Hoe with dark gradient and the JCRO logo applied
 
For grant applications it can take from 2–12 months to develop an idea and be ready for submission to funder. Once a complete protocol (including schedule of events (for NHS)) is provided, and project partners confirmed, a minimum of 3 weeks notice is required for costings.
If you would like support from the JCRO please complete the initial contact form, or email us at jcro@plymouth.ac.uk, and we will get back to you.
 

About us

Established in 2024, the Joint Clinical Research Office (JCRO) provides the research management infrastructure to guide both clinical (medical and non-medical) and non-clinical academics and researchers through the complex clinical research pathway/systems.
By bringing together expertise from key partners and stakeholders, and fostering collaborations, the JCRO can provide advice and support at various stages across the project life-cycle. 
Whether you are an established researcher or new to clinical research, we are here to support you. Please get in touch by completing our online form or using the contact details above.
Innovative healthcare and medical research graphic. Doctors and scientists working together: treatment, medical research and innovation.
 
 
 

How we can help you

We are here to help with all stages of your project life-cycle, including grant application, study set-up and project delivery. 
 

Grant application

  • NIdentify funding calls

  • NSignpost (CTU/RSS) and initiate collaborations

  • NStakeholder meetings

  • NFacilitate grant costings

  • NSponsorship in principle

  • NFacilitate approvals/sign-off

  • NQuality review including NHS feasibility

Study set-up and delivery

  • NSponsorship

  • NFacilitate kick-off meeting

  • NCo-ordination of contracts/agreements

  • NLiaison with sites/staff from partner organisations

  • NSupport for contract amendments

  • NSupport for financial reconciliation etc

 
 
 

What happens before you submit your grant application

Applying for a grant

If you have decided to go ahead with an application for a research grant, let us know – and if you haven't already contacted them, we can connect you to the relevant contacts within:
Make sure to consider the following from start to finish, and throughout your study:
  • Study team: who will you be working with; who are your co-applicants? You will need a PPI lead; What expertise does everyone bring?
  • Statistician: how will you design, analyse and interpret your study? Medical statisticians advice, support and involvement is available through the PMS Medical Statistics Group .
  • Health economic data: do you require a health economist to advise/support on the collection of relevant health economic data (e.g. cost and quality of life)? This means cost-effectiveness can be evaluated. .
  • Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE): consider how best to involve members of the public right from the start, and what it will cost; this can include study design, review of information sheets, use of data, attending meetings; and you will need a PPIE lead on your team. .
  • Research inclusion (equality, diversity and inclusion): Diverse people and communities shape our research, and it is essential to embed inclusion throughout your study as inclusive research design will be an from November 2024.

12 months before submission

  • Identify and finalise project team
    (from 12 months to 6 weeks)
  • Research proposal development, including peer review
    (from 12 months to 4 weeks)
  • Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement
    (throughout project)
  • Identity funder 
    (12 months to 6 weeks)

12 weeks before submission

  • Study design
    (from 3 months to 4 weeks)

8 weeks before submission

  • Costings and SoECAT
    (from 2 months to 2 weeks)
  • Draft for costings
    (from 6 weeks to 4 weeks)
  • Sponsorship
    (from 6 weeks to 4 weeks)

4 weeks before submission

  • Final proposal refinement
    (from 4 weeks to 1 week)
  • Internal approvals
    (from around 4 weeks to 1 week)
 
 

Key partners and stakeholders

NIHR internships in the South West Peninsula for health and care professionals

Internship opportunities designed to serve one of four career-development related themes will be available to start in September 2025. Successful applicants will each receive £10,000 to support engagement and training activities and salary backfill. 
Applicants must be professionally registered with a United Kingdom regulator and working in the South West Peninsula for an institution that offers health or care that is free at the point of access to service users to be eligible for this award.
 
Abstract colourful lines

Meet the team