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Our partnerships

One of the key strengths of Grounded Research is how we inspire and deliver high-quality research, which is meaningful to our communities, in collaboration with our partners. We are committed to continuously strengthening existing partnerships and building new ones, through honest, transparent and open relationships.

Locally

We work closely with our local communities, patients, networks, and services, adopting a “place-based” approach to research that is grounded in best practice partnerships. These include:

Care groups

For example, our collaborative work with the children’s care group on the Community of Research Practice programme and joint clinical or research positions

  • our patient research ambassadors and research champions, and the People Focused Group: engaging directly with individuals who are passionate about advancing research in their communities
  • local authority partners, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and charities: such as our collaboration with Donmentia, aiming to improve healthcare outcomes in the region
  • schools, prisons, community groups, and places of worship: ensuring research is inclusive and accessible across diverse community settings

Through these strong, multi-sector partnerships, we aim to create research that is not only impactful but truly relevant to the needs of the people we serve.

Regionally

Our regional partners form a powerful network of organisations that help us expand and diversify the range of research available to our communities. These include:

  • Universities: for example, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, and Hull and York Medical School, which provide academic expertise and state-of-the-art facilities
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (Yorkshire and Humber): offering funding, training, and an agile research team to support research delivery
  • The NHS integrated care boards: overseeing the NHS budget for our regional population and ensuring alignment with healthcare priorities
  • The Northern Health Science Alliance: a network connecting the North’s health research and innovation resources to foster collaboration and growth
  • The Health Innovation Network (formerly the Academic Health Sciences Alliance): supporting the implementation of healthcare innovations within the NHS
  • NHS Acute Hospitals, mental health providers, and the Ambulance service: collaborating to improve patient outcomes through integrated research and care

Together, these partnerships enable us to drive forward high-impact research that is deeply embedded within our communities and aligned with regional and national healthcare priorities.

Nationally

The research we conduct has both national and international relevance and impact, made possible through partnerships with technology and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, NHS organisations, and academic institutions. Some examples of these impactful collaborations include:

  • The International Accrediting Organisation for Clinical Research: ensuring our research meets global standards and maintains credibility
  • The National Institute for Health and Care Research HealthTech Research Centres: partnering to co-produce technology solutions that can transform healthcare delivery
  • clinical research organisations (CROs): such as IQVIA and Parexel, providing expertise and support in the delivery of clinical trials
  • pharmaceutical companies: including Sanofi, COMPASS, and Moderna, working together to advance drug development and clinical research
  • healthcare technology developers: collaborating with innovators like Mindlife and Chimp Mind Management to integrate cutting-edge technologies into healthcare research

These partnerships enable us to expand the reach and impact of our research, contributing to advancements in healthcare both locally and globally.

Page last reviewed: August 20, 2025
Next review due: August 20, 2026