Regional networks that connect the NHS with academic organisations, local authorities, charities, and industry. They bring together stakeholders in their region’s health economy and work closely with Academic Health Science Centres (AHCSs). There are 15 AHSNs in England. AHSNs are funded by NHS England and cover the same geographical regions as Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs). Like ARCs, AHSNs bring together different organisations, especially the NHS and industry innovators. However, AHSNs are specifically focused on the adoption and spread of innovations, while NIHR ARCs are about conducting applied research. As an example, an ARC might evaluate the cost effectiveness of an AHSN’s roll-out of an intervention. If you have an innovation that you want to bring into practice and spread across the NHS, you want your local AHSN. However, if you are interested in applied research and academic evaluation, then ARCs are more relevant.
