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Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)

The Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) is a UK-wide system that streamlines the process for applying for permissions and approvals to conduct health and social care research.

IRAS allows researchers to enter the information for the relevant permissions and approvals once, instead of having to complete several separate application forms for each review body.

Filters are used to ensure that data is collected and collated appropriately to the type of study and the approvals and permissions required. IRAS captures the information needed by:

• Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC)
• Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC)
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Ministry of Justice (National Offender Management Service) 
• NHS / HSC research offices
• NRES / NHS / HSC Research Ethics Committees 
• National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (NIGB).
• Social Care Research Ethics Committee
  

Key features include:

• Free online training module – this web-based training tool is intended to support users by providing a simple overview of IRAS and a guide to some of its key features. It is free to use and can be accessed through the e-learning links on the IRAS website or by going directly to the e-learning module.
• Applications to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for authorisation of a clinical trial of an Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) can be completed within the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS).

IRAS can be accessed directly at https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/.

About the development of IRAS

IRAS was developed under the auspices of the UKCRC, led by The National Research Ethics Service. The initiative is supported by the NHS R&D Forum, the major regulatory and governance bodies, the UK Health Departments, the UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN), the Forum of NHS Wales for R&D Management in Health & Social Care (FORWARD) and various funders of research. IRAS was launched in January 2008.

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