Northern Ireland Research Resilience and Growth (NI RRG) Programme
The Northern Ireland Research Resilience and Growth (NI RRG) Programme was established to support the implementation of Northern Ireland's Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth Implementation Plan. The plan was launched in 2022 and sets out a series of actions designed to strengthen the clinical research environment across Health and Social Care (HSC), improve opportunities for patients and the public to participate in research, and ensure Northern Ireland remains an attractive location for high quality commercial and non-commercial research.
The programme brings together organisations and stakeholders from across HSC, academia, the public, charities and industry to deliver actions across a number of strategic themes including:
- Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)
- Innovation
- Data and Digital Research
- Research Governance
- Funding and Sustainability
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Progress to Date
Since the publication of the Implementation Plan, significant progress has been made across a number of priority areas, including:
Strengthening Research Governance
- Establishment of the HSC R&D Approvals Service within the Public Health Agency.
- Delivery of a centralised approach to study-wide research governance assessment.
- Increased alignment with UK-wide research governance processes.
Enhancing Public Involvement
- Creation of a dedicated PPI Lead role.
- Continued development of public involvement mechanisms and partnerships.
- Ongoing work to improve participation by underserved and seldom-heard communities.
- Publication of the James Lind Alliance associated priorities for action report.
Improving Communication and Visibility
- Appointment of a Communications Manager.
- Delivery of public awareness activities highlighting the value of research.
- Increased promotion of research opportunities across the health and life sciences ecosystem.
Supporting Research Delivery and Growth
- Protected time funding schemes for researchers.
- Expansion of industry engagement activity.
- Development of initiatives to improve study set-up, recruitment and delivery performance.
Embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Establishment of dedicated EDI leadership capacity.
- Development of an EDI work programme focused on inclusive participation, demographic data collection and workforce development.
Governance Structure
The NI RRG Programme is supported through a governance structure designed to oversee implementation of the plan, monitor progress and ensure alignment with wider strategic priorities.
Management Board
The Management Board provides strategic leadership for the programme and oversees implementation of the Research Resilience and Growth Implementation Plan.
NI RRG Oversight Group
The Oversight Group brings together representatives from across the Northern Ireland research ecosystem, including patients and the public, HSC organisations, universities, research infrastructure, charities and industry.
The group:
- Monitors progress against implementation plan actions.
- Provides strategic oversight of programme delivery.
- Identifies emerging priorities and opportunities.
- Ensures alignment with UK-wide research initiatives.
- Supports collaboration across Northern Ireland's health and life sciences sector.
Sub-Groups
To support delivery of specific priorities, the Oversight Group is supported by a number of specialist groups:
Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) Subgroup
The PPI subgroup provides leadership on public involvement, participation and engagement activities and supports implementation of PPI-related actions within the plan.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Subgroup
The EDI subgroup leads work to improve inclusivity and representation in research participation, involvement and workforce development.
Finance Task and Finish Group
The Finance Task and Finish subgroup supports work relating to funding, research income generation, sustainability and reinvestment, helping to address recommendations arising from the implementation plan.