Further information about research site set up and research passports will be coming soon. The Research passport initiative was developed by NHS R&D and UK Clinical Research Collaboration to streamline the engagement process for university researchers conducting research in the NHS.
Research Passports
The introduction of the research passport is to eliminate duplication using transparent links between Universities and NHS Trusts. This process is only for researchers with a Lancaster University contract of employment, who are engaging with health related research taking place on site within the NHS. The requirement of a research passport is determined by the nature of the research project.
Contact your HR Admin team: hr@lancaster.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
The Research Passport is authorised by HR to verify the following checks have been made against the researcher:
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - previously Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance
- Occupational Health clearance
- Verification of Identity (passport/birth certificate)
- Two references (from normal recruitment process)
- Verification of permission to work in the UK
- Evidence of professional registration (if appropriate)
- Evidence of qualifications
NHS Trust
Once the Research Passport has been issued, the NHS Trust in which research is to be conducted will confirm receipt of the Research Passport and information will be exchanged in the form of either the issue of an Honorary Research Contract or a Letter of Access depending on the nature of the research project.
University Researchers
Existing researchers who are regularly engaged in research in the NHS can be issued with a generic research passport to cover a period of three years (although this can be increased subject to discussion and agreement with all parties). At the end of the three year period the research passport can be replaced and checks will have to be re-validated.
Where a researcher is engaged on a current project involving health related research and they have an existing honorary contract for that piece of research, a research passport will not be required as valid checks have already been made. When the honorary contract expires and a new research project commences an application should be made for a research passport.
Researchers employed for the purposes of research on a specific research grant, usually on externally funded fixed term contracts, would be issued with a project specific research passport. The duration of the Research Passport would be no greater than three years. If a project changed or a researcher's employment contract was extended the research passport would need to be replaced and checks re-validated.
Clinical Academics
If a substantive and honorary contract is held by a clinical academic with the NHS Trust there is no requirement to issue a research passport. Where there is no joint arrangement in place a research passport would be necessary.
Portability
If a researcher moves from one university to another and continues working on an established project requiring a research passport, the new University should honour the checks already made by the previous HEI unless the research passport has expired or circumstances have changed (such as project scope or personal details).
What do I need to do to obtain a research passport?
Initial discussion should take place with the Research Office regarding the grant application. If it is agreed that the project requires a research passport, the following process should be followed:
A comprehensive Risk Assessment should be completed by the Principal Investigator before submitting a Research Passport application form.
The Research Passport application is authorised by the HR department due to the nature of the clearances required. Contact your HR Admin team: hr@lancaster.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
Should the grant award allow for a new research post the Principal Investigator should make clear to the HR Recruitment team that a Research Passport is required before the post is advertised.