About Us

What is a CTU?

Clinical trials and research studies are intricate sometimes complex endeavours, often spanning multiple centres, disciplines, and involving diverse participant groups. The success of these studies hinges on meticulous design, rigorous execution, and a detailed understanding of the underpinning legal and ethical requirements.

CTUs are specialist units that are experts in the design, execution, analysis, and publication of clinical trials and other studies that assess the efficacy and effectiveness of clinical therapies and treatments.  Their role is pivotal in improving patient outcomes and advancing medical research through the collaboration of specialist expertise and provision of guidance necessary for high-quality, regulatory compliant studies.

To achieve UKCRC Registration, CTUs must demonstrate their expertise and ongoing capability to an international panel of experts. This involves providing evidence of their ability to centrally coordinate multi-centre clinical trials, including taking full responsibility of the trial lifecycle from development to the analysis and dissemination of results. Additionally, CTUs must have well-established and rigorous systems in place to ensure that all clinical trials are conducted and delivered to the highest quality standards.

Who We Are

The CTU Network is an independent organisation dedicated to providing support for UKCRC Registered CTUs undertaking non-commercial and investigator-led clinical trials both in the UK and overseas.

Our network spans the entirety of the UK, actively participating in both national and international initiatives within the clinical research community.

Our History

Building on earlier work, the Network was established in 2007 to address the critical need for sustained expertise and capacity in clinical trials research across the UK.

Over the years, the Network has continued to support research activity by fostering a collaborative environment in which member units can develop and share innovation and best practice, whilst also providing a coordinated link connecting researchers with regulators, funders, and policy makers.

Today, the UKCRC Registered CTU Network spans all four nations of the UK, encompassing 50 Clinical Trials Units, and plays a vital role in advancing clinical research nationwide.

What We Do

At our core, we are dedicated to facilitating high-quality, efficient, and sustainable research that leads to better patient outcomes.  As a Network, we focus our activities in three key areas:

• Knowledge Sharing: We serve as a centre of excellence, facilitating knowledge exchange among Trial Units, Funders, and Policy Makers. Our mission is to promote the adoption of the latest best practices across all member trial units, ensuring the highest standards of research and innovation.
• Improving Efficiency: We foster collaboration and peer support among Trial Units, as well as interactions with Funders, and Policy Makers to advance high-quality, efficient, and sustainable clinical trials research in the UK.
• Visibility & Engagement: We are dedicated to enhancing the visibility of Trial Units throughout the UK and internationally. By empowering our members to actively contribute to policy-making processes, we amplify their voices, ensuring their perspectives shape impactful policies.

You can find out more about the current strategy here.

This document was developed in discussion with our Executive Group, funder representatives, CTU Directors, and other key stakeholders. It is supported by an annual Work Programme against which progress towards the key aims in monitored. Work is now underway to develop our plan for the next five years.

For more information on our strategy, or details on how you can work with us, please contact the Secretariat.

Who is this website for?

We serve as a valuable resource, assisting you in navigating and connecting with registered Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) across the UK. Whether you’re seeking collaboration opportunities, need assistance in contacting a CTU, or require guidance on initiating your research journey, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

The Network Structure

The Executive Group provides oversight, governance, and accountability to the Network and consists of representatives from regulatory and funder agencies, CTU Directors, Government Research bodies, and a range of stakeholders including:

• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
• Cancer Research UK
• Health & Social Care Research Wales
• Versus Arthritis
• UK Trial Managers Network
• MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership
• Chief Scientist Office, Scotland

The Operations Groups represent individual professional disciplines within non-commercial CTUs. They provide opportunities for professional development through peer-to-peer support, networking events, the creation of training and guidance materials and sharing learning and best practice.

Our Task and Finish Groups are time-limited and lead topical work programmes relating to efficient trial conduct, good research practice, quality standards, and the capacity and sustainability of non-commercial CTUs. 

The Secretariat works with the Executive, the sub-groups, member CTUs and other stakeholders in order to support the delivery of the Network’s core aims. Send us an email

What Is Registration

The UKCRC Registered CTU Network’s International Registration Review Committee (IRRC) independently oversees our registration process. This rigorously evaluates CTUs’ expertise, experience, and capabilities in designing, conducting, and analysing clinical trials. This enables clinicians, researchers, and funders to be confident of the quality and standards each CTU provides.

You can download a list of currently registered units here.