National Institute for Health and Care Research: Applied Research Collaborations

Wednesday 15th October 2025 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Dr Zubir Ahmed)]

Today I am pleased to announce an ambitious programme of applied health, public health and social care research through 10 National Institute for Health and Care Research applied research collaborations—ARCs. This will help power transformations in the health and social care systems that we have identified in our plan for change, for the benefit of the health and wealth of our nation.

ARCs will receive funding to both develop and deliver research, and support the implementation of research in practice, responding directly to the needs of the health and social care systems. Research is vital to supporting the required change to keep people healthier for longer through prevention, fixing the NHS and supporting the sustainability of the social care sector. There will be strong patient and public involvement to ensure what matters to our population is at the heart of everything they do. The new ARCs have a strengthened remit to respond nationally to tackle the biggest challenges in the system, as set out in our 10-year plan for health.

An NIHR ARC network will also be commissioned to provide strategic and operational co-ordination to optimise synergies, increase alignment and facilitate national working with key partners, including other NIHR infrastructure. Fast-track research and collaboration will be further supported over the lifetime of the programme, to respond to Department of Health and Social Care priorities.

ARCs will also work with industry to embed new treatments into care pathways, making it easy for the NHS workforce to deliver seamlessly in their busy working days. Enhanced health economic expertise will ensure the economic impact of evidence is better understood to support decisions on efficiency, productivity and growth. The plans we set out for growth and for health provide the solutions people want to see to the difficulties of their daily lives. Research is a vital part of ensuring we deliver on these. This investment supports the scale of transformation that is needed to have a health and care system fit for the future and there for everyone when they need it.

[HCWS968]