Quality and costs of commissioned vs. researcher-led NIHR research: retrospective cohort study of randomised controlled trials.

ABSTRACT: The NIHR provides two main funding pathways: 'commissioned' (CP) and 'researcher-led' (RLP) projects. CPs are used to ensure NHS priorities are addressed. However, there is uncertainty regarding which provides the highest quality, best value for money, research. We compared the quality and cost of commissioned and research-led projects. We searched the NIHR Funded Portfolio database for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) funded by programmes offering both CP and RLP funding. The main outcome was journal impact factor for the main results paper. Other outcomes included: Altmetric score, relative citation ratio, total and per participant funding. T-tests were used to compare mean values. 82 eligible RCTs were identified, 30 commissioned and 52 researcher-led. One RLP did not progress beyond

SUBMITTER: Hammond A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11981151 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature