We are partnering with the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) to support UK and Republic of Korea (ROK) researchers working together on developing and using new tools and technologies to deliver ‘Smart’ clinical trials. These are clinical trials that leverage innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and inclusiveness in clinical research.

The first stage of this partnership involved an open funding opportunity for ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials Collaboration Awards. This opportunity, which opened in January 2025, supported 7 collaboration awards. This second phase of activity is an open invitation for collaborative ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials Application Development Awards (ADA). These awards support the development of research collaborations and the testing of research and concepts required to establish a competitive future large scale ROK-UK smart clinical trial protocol. 

For this, ADA funding opportunity, KHIDI and NIHR have jointly committed funding in the region of £1.5million/₩2.6billion. We anticipate funding up to 3 ADAs of 24 months duration with maximum funding of £500,000 / ₩860,000,000 per award (up to £250,000 provided by NIHR for UK-based researchers, and up to £250,000 provided by KHIDI for ROK-based researchers).

What does the ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials Application Development Award offer?

The ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials ADA is open to any ROK-UK collaborative partnerships in scope of this opportunity to deepen their cooperation and provide support through:

• design/development of a smart clinical trial research protocol
• building of a multidisciplinary team
• the overcoming of operational, recruitment and/or regulatory barriers
• refinement of:
  • interventions
  • technologies
  • methodologies
  • data collection and analysis
• piloting and/or feasibility work

This award will put teams in a good position to conduct future large scale ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials.

The ROK-UK Smart Clinical Trials ADA is also open to researchers who did not receive an earlier Collaboration Award, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements and the research specification for this funding opportunity.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from interdisciplinary teams, whether newly formed or building on existing collaborations, with professional experience in Smart Clinical Trials. Teams from the UK and ROK can collaborate in areas that advance Smart Clinical Trials, including:

• AI
• wearables and the internet of things
• decentralised and virtual trials
• data integration and analytics
• digital platforms and communication tools

Applications should include clear plans for developing new research proposals and building long-term networks, taking due consideration of effective patient and public involvement and engagement, and addressing healthcare system priorities through the proposed research activities. Your application should embed inclusive research approaches across the research lifecycle which target underserved populations and reduce health inequalities. You should also demonstrate how the research will benefit these populations and contribute to their improved health outcomes.

All proposed activities under the scheme must align with the NIHR remit and work towards advancing interventions, technologies, or methodologies that have achieved at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, as defined by NIHR guidelines. You must ensure that you meet eligibility requirements specified by your respective funder and the research specification for this funding opportunity.

For NIHR eligibility, applications must be within the remit of the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation, or Health Technology Assessment or Invention for Innovation programmes. Applications must also be within the scope of requirements set out in the research specification. 

Lead applicants

For this funding opportunity, it is mandatory that there are 2 joint leads: 1 UK lead applicant and 1 ROK lead applicant.

Lead applicants must be employed and based at an eligible host organisation and will be responsible for coordinating activities to ensure all project goals are met. Early career researchers with appropriate mentoring arrangements in place are eligible to apply as a lead applicant.

Eligible contracting organisations

UK contracting organisation 
The proposed contracting organisation in the UK must be a Higher Education Institution, NHS body, or another provider of health and/or care services with the infrastructure to support clinical/health and care research. The contracting organisation will be responsible for administering the award and should have prior experience managing international research collaborations and clinical/health and care studies. Industry partners are encouraged to participate as collaborators  or as part of the research team (co-applicants) with clearly defined roles but are not eligible as contracting organisations. 

ROK host organisation 
The proposed host organisation in the ROK must be a clinical trial institution legally authorised by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as designated under Article 34 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and compliant with Korean Good Clinical Practice (KGCP), and as specified in Article 24 of the Regulation on Safety of Medicinal Products.

Multiple applications

ROK and UK lead applicants cannot be named as a lead applicant on more than 1 application.

Lead applicants may be named as a co-applicant or project partner on other competing applications.

Duration

This is a 24-month award.  Award activities should take place between July 2026 and June 2028.