The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced a £157 million investment over 5 years to support 10 new Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs) across England, beginning in April 2026.
The ARCs will help deliver the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Plan, the Life Sciences Sector Plan and the Government’s Health and Growth Missions.
These collaborative partnerships between universities, NHS trusts, local authorities, Health Innovation Networks, Integrated Care Boards and the voluntary sector will focus on applied research to address pressing health and social care challenges.
Health Innovation Minister, Zubir Ahmed, said: “This funding will accelerate the breakthroughs that will underpin the success of our NHS 10 Year Health Plan, ensuring research is going from laboratory to living room and supporting the shift from patient to prevention.”
He added: “Every pound invested in this research is an investment in hope – hope for faster diagnoses, more effective treatments, and a health system that truly works for everyone, no matter where they live or what their background.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care and CEO of the NIHR, explained: “This new funding shows the NIHR’s ongoing commitment to developing and delivering high-quality health and care research across the country.
“The investment will enable the Applied Research Collaborations to continue to bring new treatments and technologies to patients and the public, supporting the aims of the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan to champion innovation and power transformation.”
An additional £75 million will be available for research aligned with departmental priorities, alongside £5 million to establish a national ARC Network. Up to £22 million is also earmarked for a new pan-London ARC.
Professor Marian Knight said: “The ARCs play a vital role in this process, generating evidence around new technologies and treatments, as well as innovative ways of delivering care.”
