HRA (Health Research Authority) - Streamlined IRAS process for Be Part of Research 02/09/2026

Making it easier to recruit participants to research

We've streamlined processes to make it easier to use the Be Part of Research sign-up register to help recruit participants in the UK.

The Be Part of Research platform has received a favourable opinion from one of the Health Research Authority’s Research Ethics Committees (REC) for use as a sign-up register research database.

From today (2 September), researchers can now reference Be Part of Research in new applications without having to submit additional documents. 

The new process depends on the stage a study application is at:

• new studies (pre-submission) – make sure you include a reference to the Be Part of Research sign-up register in your proposed recruitment or referral route in your IRAS application and study protocol (REC Reference: 26/SW/0088, IRAS Project ID: 372170)
  
  
• studies open to recruitment (post-approval) – there is no longer a requirement for sponsors to submit a substantial modification when including the Be Part of Research platform into an existing study approval. Instead, when adding references to the Be Part of Research sign-up register to an approved study, ensure that this is the only change made within the modification and this will normally be processed as a minor modification. Minor modifications do not require review by the REC

When is a substantial modification required?

A substantial modification will be needed if you add new eligibility criteria, new screening questions, or new participant-facing information that is not already included in your approved study documents because of the inclusion of the Be Part of Research sign-up register.

If you are unsure about whether you need to submit a substantial modification, please use the IRAS Modification Tool to check what you need to do.

Support with the new process

NIHR can support you with any questions you have about using the Be Part of Research volunteer registry.

If you have any questions email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Why am I receiving this email?

You are receiving this email as you have subscribed for our HRA Latest distribution list, or you are listed as the sponsor contact for a commercially or non-commercially sponsored study submitted on IRAS between 1 January 2023 and 31 Dec 2025.

If you do not want to receive future emails from us you can opt out by updating your preferences.