Academic Health Science Centres

What are Academic Health Science Centres?

Academic Health Science Centres (AHSCs) are designated by NHS England and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for demonstrating excellence in health research, health education and patient care.

The AHSCs are regional partnerships bringing together expertise from universities and NHS organisations. Working with local partners including local authorities and industry, they improve health and care services by translating early scientific research and discoveries into benefits for individual patients and local and national populations.

The AHSCs work closely with each other, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) and the NIHR infrastructure to drive research and innovation forward. They contribute to the delivery of national strategies, such as the NHS Long Term Plan, the Life Sciences Industrial Strategy and the priorities of the Accelerated Access Collaborative.

Which partnerships have been awarded AHSC designation?

Since April 2020, eight AHSCs have been designated in England for a five-year period.

The following partnership organisations have been awarded AHSC designation. Follow the links below to learn more about the work each AHSC is doing: