The Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care clearly states that all research projects must have an identified sponsor.
A sponsor is the organisation that accepts to take on the legal responsibility for the research management, monitoring and or financing the study. Please follow the Sponsorship flow diagram for steps towards obtaining sponsorship.
A 'Sponsor' is often confused as the 'funder'. A funder provides financial support whereas the sponsor takes on the responsibilities identified above. However, the funding organisation with appropriate resources may also wish to take on the sponsor role.