The NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) will be replaced by the new NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) from 1 October 2023.

The NIHR Research Design Service North East and North Cumbria (RDS NENC) is one of ten regional services across England that make up the national NIHR Research Design Service; we aim to increase the number and quality of applications for applied health and social care research that benefits patients and the public.

The North East North Cumbria team includes experienced researchers with expertise in all aspects of applied health and social care research methods, including qualitative and quantitative design, statistics, health economics, evidence synthesis, clinical trials, public involvement, NHS acute care, primary care, public health and social care research.

RDS NENC provides research design and methodological advice to health and social care researchers who are developing applications for national peer-reviewed funding; we also support successful applicants, should there be any difficulties following funding. Face-to-face advice is supported by telephone and email, skype and video conferencing and is free of charge.

RDS NENC is a regional service, working with a number of partners to provide high quality advice; please complete our online ‘Request an appointment‘ form and we will contact you to arrange a face-to-face meeting. Alternatively, please email: rds.nenc@nihr.ac.uk  or phone (0191) 208 7000.