All research projects require a sponsor. Sponsorship is separate from funding and relates to indemnity. The sponsor confirms the project has been adequately peer reviewed and the organisation agrees to indemnify the methodology and conduct of the study.
A sponsor can be:
- any organisation which funds, initiates or hosts research, or employs staff involved in research
- the substantive employer of the chief investigator or the institution that is supplying a qualification in the instance of student research, when it is non-commercial research
- a charity
- a company (when it is a commercial trial)
The sponsor takes on the legal responsibility for the initiation and management of the research. Responsibilities include ensuring that:
- the resources are adequate to allow the collection, analysis, and protection of high quality research data
- the project is scientifically sound
- indemnities are in place to cover those who are conducting or participating in the research
Where Leicester's Hospitals is the sponsor:
Proof of sponsorship is required when applying for approvals. The Sponsorship Guidance SOP (S-1002) explains the process in full. For further advice, contact uhlsponsor@uhl-tr.nhs.uk.
University of Leicester sponsorship:
If the chief investigator has a substantive contract with the University of Leicester, University Sponsorship will apply and the Research Governance Office should be consulted in the first instance, at rgosponsor@le.ac.uk. Further information can be found on the University Sharepoint (log-in required).
Peer review
A peer review constitutes a form of self-regulation and is employed to maintain standards of quality, improve performance and provide credibility. The goal is to verify whether the approach taken will address the research question and to provide suggestions for improvements. It is a requirement of sponsorship and must be conducted before you apply. See the Sponsorship Guidance SOP (S-1002).
