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Funding for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) has been extended until March 2026.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced an extension of funding for all 15 Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs), including the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC).

In July 2019, NIHR announced five years of funding for 15 ARCs across England, which was set to end in September 2024. This five-year funding has now been extended for a further 18 months, until March 2026.

Professor Eileen Kaner, Director, NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria, said: “We’re very pleased that NIHR have confirmed this extension for our ARC, which will allow us to continue our ongoing work, and build on the impact from our current research across our themes.

“It will also enable us to continue to work responsively with our ICB to ensure research and implementation activity continues to address existing and emerging regional priorities.

“Alongside this, we’ll be working closely with public members and health care partners to co-design regional applied research priorities so we can prepare for our longer-term future.”

One area of focus over the next two years will be to strengthen the ARC NENC’s work on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion by developing and embedding an EDI strategy and action plan, including a training programme. Work will also continue across the ARC network to deliver further training and capacity building in areas of joint priority, including social care and dementia.

The NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria was officially launched in November 2019. Since then, it has developed into a region-wide and responsive network of more than 500 colleagues from across a wide range of sectors including academia, health and social care, local government, the community and voluntary sector, public members, and others.

Over 100 research projects have now been completed or are underway linked to regional and national health and social care priorities. In addition, more than 50 research fellowships have been supported, 31 PhD studentships funded, and a total of 25 Masters Degree places funded.