Research Passports

Research passports are a mechanism to allow employers to share information about the pre-engagement checks they have carried out with the relevant NHS organisations where the researcher will be carrying out their studies. Not all researchers will require a research passport. For example, those already employed by NHS organisations or clinical academics who have an honorary clinical contract with the NHS will not require a research passport. Researchers who have no contractual relationship with the NHS may need a research passport but not all types of research activity require a research passport.

Research passports are issued for a period of three years. They may either be project-specific or, for researchers with an ongoing research portfolio, allow the researcher to carry out a number of different projects over the course of three years. Where research activity lasts for longer than three years, it will be necessary to make a new application for a Research Passport and at this time further checks, such as new DBS (were CRB) checks, may be required.

The NHS organisation where the research is to be undertaken will decide on whether or not an HRC is required. It may still be necessary to carry out pre-engagement checks even where an HRC is not necessary and for this a research passport should be used to show that the checks have been carried out.

The website of the National Institute for Health Research provides extensive documentation on the Research Passport system and updates this on a regular basis.

Students involved in research activity in NHS organisations should consult with their academic supervisor for guidance on Research Passports and with the Registry for completing section 5 of the Research Passport application form.