Expression of interest

The NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service is a novel direct-to-patient recruitment model that has already delivered many benefits to clinical trials and complements existing recruitment mechanisms to increase the NHS’ ability to support and deliver clinical research.

Powered by NHS data, we identify potential participants who meet the eligibility criteria and invite them on behalf of the trial to take part.

Following the success of the trials that have used the DigiTrials Recruitment Service, we are excited to open applications for further trials planning to recruit in 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Before applying, please read through the 'Before you apply' section below. This includes answers to questions we received about the Recruitment Service in the last round of applications. 

Applications are made through an online form available at the bottom of this page. A PDF sample of the form is also available to download to support collaboration across applicant organisations. However, all applications will need to be submitted via the online form. 

The application form will gather the information needed to identify:

• whether the Recruitment Service can support your trial
• whether your trial can support DigiTrials with our aims to further optimise the service

Due to the nature of health research some of the information required may be quite detailed, please make sure you allow enough time to complete the form.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered below, email: [email protected] with 'Recruitment - Expression of Interest query' in the subject line.

Check your study is suitable for the Recruitment Service

The NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service supports eligible clinical trials and health research that meet the definition as set out in the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research. Throughout the application process 'trial' is used to cover any research that meets this definition.

You can submit an Expression of Interest at an early stage, including before your Research Ethics Committee application has been approved.

Research Ethics Committee approval will be required before NHS DigiTrials can begin recruitment activity.

Contact NHS DigiTrials as early as possible, ideally while developing your study design and funding application. Early discussions can help you understand whether the service may be suitable, what information is available and what should be considered in your funding and delivery plans.

We can also consider studies that are already funded or underway, including trials where recruitment has begun and additional support may help reach the required participant numbers.

The support available will depend on the study stage, recruitment timetable, service capacity and whether the required approvals and delivery arrangements can be completed in time.

The time needed to progress from an Expression of Interest to recruitment will vary by study. It will depend on the maturity of the protocol and eligibility criteria, data requested, feasibility, the selected recruitment approach, approvals, contracting, information governance and operational capacity.

The expected stages are:

1. Expression of Interest and initial review.
2. Discovery discussion and service assessment.
3. Feasibility and technical assessment.
4. Study-specific proposal and costing.
5. Required approvals, agreements and governance arrangements.
6. Onboarding, testing and recruitment launch (first invites issued).

The NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service operates under the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service Directions 2026. These Directions allow NHS England to use data it already holds to identify groups of people who may be suitable to receive an invitation to take part in research.

The arrangements needed for your study will depend on your requirements and the proposed recruitment model. 

We will discuss your proposed approach with you and identify whether any additional legal, regulatory or information governance approvals are needed.

As part of assessing your Expression of Interest, we may review whether suitable data is available and whether the proposed eligibility criteria can be applied using data held by NHS England. We may also assess the potential size and geographic distribution of the addressable cohort.

Feasibility findings help inform whether the Recruitment Service may be suitable and support discussion of the proposed recruitment approach. 

Sign up to the NHS DigiTrials Feasibility Self Service Tool to test your eligibility criteria and explore the estimated number and location of potentially suitable participants using aggregate data, without identifying individuals. This can help you assess study viability, plan recruitment and strengthen your study design or funding application.

NHS DigiTrials is a chargeable service. Costs vary between studies and are based on the services required, study complexity and delivery effort.

In line with the Value Sharing Framework for NHS data partnerships, charges support the recovery of NHS costs and help ensure the fair and sustainable use of NHS data and resources. We will discuss the most appropriate service and associated costs with you as part of the Expression of Interest process

Engaging before a funding application can help you include an informed allowance for NHS DigiTrials services. If your study is already funded or underway, we can discuss what may be achievable within the available budget and timetable.

If you plan to run an international study, this may be considered for the Recruitment Service if there is a clear UK arm of the study, where the Data Controller is in the UK.

Appropriate information governance arrangements will need to be in place before recruitment activity begins. These will depend on your study, the data required and how the Recruitment Service will operate.

As part of the assessment process, we will work with you to agree the relevant governance route, documentation and responsibilities. To support this, we will ask you to provide accurate study information, confirm the necessary ethical, regulatory and sponsor approvals, and contribute to completing the agreed governance activity within the required timescales.

The data available for cohort identification depends on the study requirements, permitted uses and the datasets available to NHS England. We will assess data availability against your inclusion and exclusion criteria.

We cannot currently access National Diabetes Audit or data collected under GP Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (GDPPR).