NIHR Research Support Service (RSS)

The RSS provides expert support and advice to applied health, public health, social care, and industry researchers on the design and delivery of research and the development of research funding applications.

The NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) – Newcastle and Partners Hub is a collaboration led by Newcastle University and regional NHS partners, bringing together exceptional academic and clinical expertise to support health and care researchers across the North East and North Cumbria — and nationally.

Our mission is to ensure that high-quality, impactful research is developed, funded, and delivered to improve outcomes for patients, communities, and the wider health and care system.

Our multidisciplinary team provides tailored, hands-on support at every stage of the research journey: refining research questions, selecting the most appropriate methodologies, strengthening funding applications, navigating governance requirements, and embedding meaningful patient and public involvement.

As part of the England-wide NIHR RSS network, the Newcastle and Partners Hub works with researchers, clinicians, and innovators both regionally and nationally. We help build rigorous research plans that stand up to real-world conditions — from health economics and mixed-methods design, to real-world evidence generation, implementation planning, and more.

Our goal is simple: to empower researchers to generate credible, actionable evidence that delivers real benefit for the NHS and the health & social care sector.