General practice is changing. Alongside the well-established GPwER roles in dermatology, cardiology, and musculoskeletal medicine, a new and rapidly growing extended role is emerging that many GPs haven't yet fully recognised: the GP with an extended role in clinical research.
The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has long supported the GPwER framework, providing guidance for GPs who wish to demonstrate competence beyond the scope of standard GP training and the MRCGP. Now, as the UK government and NIHR double down on primary care as the future engine of clinical research delivery, the role of the research-focused GP has never been more professionally significant — or more financially rewarding.
What Does a GPwER in Clinical Research Look Like?
A GP with an extended role in clinical research typically operates across several domains:
Clinical Trial Delivery
Acting as principal investigator or sub-investigator on NIHR portfolio or commercially sponsored trials running within their practice or network. This requires GCP training and familiarity with ICH E6 guidelines, HRA approval processes, and protocol adherence.
Research Leadership
Taking on the role of clinical research lead within a PCN or federation, coordinating research activity across multiple practices, supporting recruitment and safety reporting, and building the research culture within their team.
Commercial Research
Working with pharmaceutical and medical device companies to deliver sponsored studies in primary care settings. This is a growing area with significant income potential for practices, particularly as industry increasingly recognises primary care as a preferred site for Phase III and IV studies, real-world evidence generation, and in-service evaluations.
Research Mentorship and Capacity Building
Supporting colleagues who are newer to research, contributing to NIHR training programmes, and helping to build the primary care research workforce of the future.
Why Now?
Several converging forces make this the right moment to develop a research extended role. The NIHR has launched new funding streams specifically designed to support GP practices in building research infrastructure. The 10 Year Health Plan explicitly commits to shifting research from hospital to community settings. Fourteen new Primary Care Commercial Research Delivery Centres have just been established across England. And pharmaceutical sponsors, facing pressure to reduce trial timelines and reach real-world patient populations, are actively seeking GP network partners.
The demand is there. The infrastructure is being built. What is needed now is the clinical workforce to deliver.
The RCGP Framework
The RCGP's GPwER guidance makes clear that extended roles require further training beyond MRCGP, and that GPs should be able to demonstrate competence through relevant experience, supervised practice, and ongoing professional development. For research, this typically means GCP certification, experience as a sub-investigator on at least one portfolio study, and ideally completion of RCGP Research Ready® accreditation for your practice.
The RCGP also offers grant funding through its Scientific Foundation Board for GPs wishing to undertake research projects, and its mentoring platform can connect you with experienced research GPs.
A Personal Perspective
As a practising GP and CEO of the Primary Care Research Alliance, I have seen first-hand how a research extended role transforms clinical practice. Research GPs develop sharper diagnostic thinking, deeper engagement with evidence, stronger relationships with specialist teams, and a renewed sense of professional purpose in an era when GP morale is under significant pressure.
Research is also one of the few areas in general practice where doing more of it genuinely generates income for the practice rather than consuming resource without return.
Getting Started
If you are a GP interested in developing a research extended role, here is a practical starting point:
- Complete GCP training (free online via NIHR Learn)
- Contact your Regional Research Delivery Network about NIHR Wider Care Settings funding
- Consider RCGP Research Ready® accreditation for your practice
- Explore joining an established network like PCRA to access a portfolio of studies immediately
You do not need to start from scratch. Networks exist precisely to support practices in building research capability from wherever they are starting.
Find out about PCRA membership
PCRA supports GP practices and research-interested GPs in building their research capability and accessing a portfolio of commercial and NIHR studies.
Talk to PCRA →Dr Daphne Hazell is a practising GP, NIHR NCVR KSS Champion, and CEO of the Primary Care Research Alliance. She is a founding advocate for commercial research delivery in primary care settings.