Definitions & Glossary

A legally binding agreement, between different parties who want to work collaboratively on a project, setting out how the parties will work together and divide the benefits, responsibilities and obligations created by or for the project between the parties.  It sets out what happens if the parties cannot agree or want to stop collaborating on the project and to terminate the agreement.

A commercial, or industry, partner is a for-profit entity which operates in the private sector and whose primary goal is to realise financial or other rewards, for the benefit of the owners of that entity.

The system of practices, processes and procedures that dictate how a project will be managed.

A document that summarises the terms of a commercial transaction or undertaking which agreed in principle between two or more parties.  It is not legally binding, but provides evidence of indent.  It becomes enforceable once adopted into an overarching contract – in this case the Collaboration Agreement (see above).  Also referred to as a memorandum of understanding.

Comprised of 15 Local Clinical Research Networks and 30 Specialties who coordinate and support the delivery of high-quality research both by geography and therapy area, the CRN is an organisation funded by the National Institute for Health Research that supports patients, the public and health and care organisations across England to participate in high-quality research, thereby advancing knowledge and improving care.

A group of conditions that are largely preventable and are not passed from one person to another.  Also known as chronic disease, NCDs manifest due to a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

A deliberate system of principles that form the guidance required to assist decision making in order to realise rational outcomes

A temporary structure that exists to coordinate, direct and oversee the implementation of a set of related projects and activities required to deliver a set of outcomes and benefits related to the strategic objective of the group.

An enterprise of any size that has a distinct start and end date with an associated plan and established resources in place to deliver a defined piece of research.   

The person with the delegated authority and responsibility for the day-to-day operational, risk and administrative management of a project who ensures that the work delivered if of a high standard and meets the requirements of the funders.

The process of planning, delegating, monitoring, reviewing and controlling the execution of a project in order to realise the objectives within the relevant time, cost, quality and scope whilst accounting for the associated benefits and risks throughout.

A circumstance that would have an effect on the achievement of objectives or execution of the project should it arise and measured by the probability of occurrence and the potential magnitude of impact it could have.  Risks can be opportunities or threats.

A plan of action or processes designed to achieve a long-term or specific overall aim.

A description of the objectives, scope, authority, responsibilities and tasks performed by a committee in order to realise the results and deliverables of a collaboration or project.

A multi-funder initiative that supports novel research into the primary prevention of non-communicable diseases to improve population health and reduce health inequalities.  UKPRP is funded by the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (Welsh Government), Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Natural Environment Research Council, Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), The Health Foundation and Wellcome.  See: UKPRP - Prevention Research Partnership

The aim of the researcher-led Community of Practice is to co-develop practice, current thinking, and supporting resources in areas of shared interest in order to enhance the effectiveness and societal impact of both UKPRP-funded and wider prevention research. The CoP will improve ways of working, generate learning and support impact on prevention research, policy and practice beyond that which could be achieved by each funded group acting alone. 

A novel combination of partners, including, where appropriate, industry (such as commercial/business partners), representing a range of academic disciplines and undertaking interdisciplinary research addressing a specific challenge in the primary prevention of NCDs. UKPRP Consortia develop research strategies with users, for example policy makers, practitioners, civil society groups, health providers, the public, who may be part of the consortium, for the generation and implementation of new knowledge. The thinking behind consortia is that drawing together teams of experts from different disciplines and sectors, and including users, should enable researchers to capitalise on a range of expertise to develop novel research into high-quality interventions that can deliver change at a population level.

New interdisciplinary communities of researchers and users formed around a broad NCD primary prevention research challenge and support networking activity. Networks support interactions between diverse disciplines and users to exchange expertise, scientific insights and capability as the network generates a shared vision around its chosen NCD prevention challenge. A key focus of Network awards are to develop future capacity in the UK to address NCD prevention challenges.

A group of people with the specialist skills and expertise required to deliver a task or objective of the project. They will have the delegated responsibility to identify and fulfil all tasks, sharing decision-making as they go and who are accountable to the management group of a project.