In the Centralised Funding Model a group of GP sites apply for the RSI scheme individually as separate entities, but they have an agreement for their funding to be processed and managed centrally, by a Lead Site/ PCN Lead/ Federation Lead. Typically, this would involve one lead site, such as a Practice or a Primary Care Network (PCN) Lead, or a Federation Lead, receiving and managing the funds for the entire group. The lead site would then be responsible for the distribution of the funding to the other participating sites, ensuring that all sites comply with the agreed-upon terms and conditions. This approach streamlines the financial process and provides a single point of accountability.

• Individual Site Operations: Each GP practice applies for the RSI Scheme separately and under the RSI scheme is considered an individual research site, with its own research trained staff. Each site will be monitored individually against the RSI KPIs for the level they are allocated. The site will perform a number of research activities which are not completed centrally - eg. Reviewing patient eligibility for studies, recruiting of patients etc. Sites within the group may work at different levels on the scheme.

• Centralised Site Operations: Certain agreed activities eg. Expressing an interest in studies, completing Database searches, Mailouts, providing clinical support (e.g. employing a research nurse to work across all sites), all research admin and meetings with the RDN etc. is managed and delivered/ completed centrally by the Lead Site/ PCN Lead/ Federation Lead.

• Centralised Funding: RSI funding for each site is paid directly to the agreed Lead Site / PCN Lead / Federation Lead,  rather than to each practice. The Lead Site/ PCN Lead/ Federation Lead retains a portion of the funding and then allocates the remaining amount to each GP Practice. The Lead Site/ PCN Lead/ Federation Lead will be required to give an overview of how the funds have been spent as part of routine performance management and monitoring by the East Midlands RDN Primary Care Team.

• KPI Completion: KPIs will be met by each site in accordance with each site's assigned RSI Level.

• Monitoring: Each site will be monitored individually against the RSI KPIs for the level they are allocated. Monitoring and Progress meetings with the RDN Primary Research team will, however, be completed centrally by the Lead Site/ PCN Lead/ Federation Lead.

Under this model, GP practices apply for the scheme together as one collaborative partnership and are recognised on the RSI scheme as one site. Each practice may still have its own individual responsibilities, but the collaboration allows for shared resources, expertise, and a collective approach to delivering research initiatives. KPIs will be met as a collective rather than as individual sites.

• Lead Site: One site is designated as the lead site, which receives the single RSI payment on behalf of the other participating sites. The lead site must have research trained staff, including a clinical and non-clinical research lead. This site will assume responsibility for meeting with the RDN Primary Care Research Team for progress and monitoring meetings.

• Funding Distribution: The lead site is responsible for managing and distributing the funding to the collaborating sites according to their local agreement. This can involve allocating funds for specific activities or research tasks.

• Hub and Spoke Model: In some cases, the lead site may conduct most or all of the research activities, using the collaborating sites’ patient lists for participant eligibility and recruitment. This structure is referred to as a hub and spoke model, where the lead site acts as the central hub, and the collaborating sites act as the spokes.

• KPI Completion: KPIs will be met as a collective rather than as individual sites.

• Monitoring: For monitoring purposes, the entire collaboration is treated as a single entity. For example, if the group is required to complete five studies, the total number of studies across all sites must add up to five, rather than each site completing five studies individually. Monitoring and Progress meetings with the RDN Primary Research team will be completed with the Lead site.

Aimed At Sites New Or Recently New To Clinical Research Delivery. Click Here For More Information In Regards To Getting Started In Research.

The Practice should ensure a Research Lead is based at the site where Research is planned to be delivered. All staff involved in the delivery of Research at the site are required to complete GCP Training and where appropriate Clinical Consent Training . Practices are expected to complete at least 3 New NIHR Studies within the financial year (1 Recruiting & 2 PIC- Opened at the practice after April 1st 2025). In addition, regular contact with the sites Local RDN Primary Care Research Team in regards to performance and support should be maintained. 

Sites are funded £3,000 in addition to study specific funding; research, service support and excess treatment costs, to assist with completion of the defined KPIs.

View the Full Level 1 RSI Agreement

Aimed At Sites Who Have Successfully Delivered Clinical Research As A Level 1 RSI Site & Have Demonstrated Their Ability To Progress To Being A Level 2 Site. All Staff Involved In The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Appropriately Trained and Processes & Procedures For The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Established.

The Practice should ensure a Research Lead is based at the site where Research is planned to be delivered. All staff involved in the delivery of Research at the site are required to complete GCP Training and where appropriate Clinical Consent Training. Practices are expected to complete at least 5 New NIHR Studies within the financial year ( 2 Recruiting & 3 PIC - Opened at the practice after April 1st 2025). In addition, regular contact with the sites Local RDN Primary Care Research Team in regards to performance and support should be maintained. 

Sites are funded £6,000 in addition to study specific funding; research, service support and excess treatment costs, to assist with completion of the defined KPIs.

View the Full Level 2 RSI Agreement

Aimed At Sites Who Have Successfully Delivered Clinical Research As A Level 2 RSI Site & Have Demonstrated Their Ability To Progress To Being A Level 3 Site. All Staff Involved In The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Appropriately Trained and Processes & Procedures For The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Established & Working Effectively. The Site Should Demonstrate They Have Developed The Infrastructure Required To Deliver Research At This Level.

The Practice should ensure a Research Lead is based at the site where Research is planned to be delivered. All staff involved in the delivery of Research at the site are required to complete GCP Training and where appropriate Clinical Consent Training . Practices are expected to complete at least 8 New NIHR Studies within the financial year (3 Recruiting & 5 PICS - Opened at the practice after April 1st 2025). In addition, regular contact with the sites Local RDN Primary Care Research Team in regards to performance should be maintained. Level 3 sites are also expected to engage and support the growth of clinical research within their locality. The sites should attend and present at research events, act as a 'mentor' to other research sites, and take part in Commercial/ Industry Funded Research Studies. Level 3 sites are expected to be within the Top 50 Recruiting Sites in the East Midlands.

Sites are funded up to a maximum of £12,500 in addition to study specific funding; research, service support and excess treatment costs, to assist with completion of the defined KPIs.

View the Full Level 3 RSI Agreement

Aimed At Sites Who Have Successfully Delivered Clinical Research As A Level 3 RSI Site & Have Demonstrated Their Ability To Progress To Being A Level 3 Site. All Staff Involved In The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Appropriately Trained and Processes & Procedures For The Delivery Of Clinical Research Should Be Established & Working Effectively. The Site Should Demonstrate They Have Developed The Infrastructure Required To Deliver Research At This Level.

The Practice should ensure a Research Lead is based at the site where Research is planned to be delivered. All staff involved in the delivery of Research at the site are required to complete GCP Training and where appropriate Clinical Consent Training . Practices are expected to complete at least 12 New NIHR Studies within the financial year (6 Recruiting & 6 PICS - Opened at the practice after April 1st 2025). In addition, regular contact with the sites Local RDN Primary Care Research Team in regards to performance should be maintained. Level 3 sites are also expected to engage and support the growth of clinical research within their locality. The sites should attend and present at research events, act as a 'mentor' to other research sites, and take part in Commercial/ Industry Funded Research Studies. There is also the expectation that these sites will take part in pre-piloting and feasibility work in addition to any RDN Primary Care Projects. A research recruitment target of 1%  (aspirational 1.5%) of their practice population will also be set.

Sites are funded up to a maximum of £25,000 in addition to study specific funding; research, service support and excess treatment costs, to assist with completion of the defined KPIs.

View the Full Level 4 RSI Agreement