Factors influencing the creation of the NIHR were the growing importance of evidence-based medicine in science and policymaking, the spread of New Public Management thinking and increased government funding.

[5] The document, building on the 2006 Best Research for Best Health strategy, outlined the updated operational principles, core work-streams and areas of strategic focus of the NIHR.

[38] Each unit focuses on a priority topic, for example blood donation, healthcare-associated infections, and adult social care.

[40] Since 2020, NIHR's global health research units and groups have been involved in efforts to tackle the spread and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in LMICs.

People can take part in a study as a research participant, for example in a clinical trial that looks for new treatments for a health condition.

People who are not affected by a particular condition or who care for someone with a long-term health issue can also take part in research.

[41] NIHR funds research infrastructure that provides expertise, specialist facilities, a delivery workforce and support services.

[52] With 12 regional networks across England, the RDN provides help to patients, the public and health and care organisations to participate in research.

[54] Since 2007, the NIHR also supports translating scientific developments into direct clinical treatments and applications through its twenty Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs).

The NIHR Academy provides training and career development awards from pre-doctoral level to research professorships.

He also holds the position of Head of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism at Imperial College London.

[72] Responsibility for the NIHR lies with the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

[75] Since August 2021, the current holder of the post is Lucy Chappell,[2] Professor of Obstetrics at King's College London.

[83] The NIHR also has an open science platform where researchers can share any kind of relevant articles, documents and data including negative or null results.

[86][87] Their updated policy requires all NIHR-funded, peer-reviewed research articles submitted after June 2022 have to be immediately, freely and openly accessible to all.