HFEA.gov.uk uses cookies to deliver content and make improvements to the website. Accept Configure Menu toggle Applying for a research licence If you want to conduct research using human embryos, you need to apply to us for a licence. This page explains the process. Click to show and hide content Ensure your project meets the requirements of the law We’re able to grant licences for up to three years, providing the research is being carried out to meet one of the following aims: increase knowledge about serious disease or other serious conditions develop treatments for serious diseases or other serious medical conditions increase knowledge about the causes of congenital diseases promote advances in the treatment of infertility increase knowledge about the causes of miscarriages develop more efficient techniques of contraception develop methods for detecting gene, chromosome or mitochondrion abnormalities in embryos before implantation increase knowledge about the development of embryos. Find out what research we’ve already approved on Clinic Portal. In addition: The people donating their eggs, sperm or embryos for research must provide consent to do so. No embryo created or used in research can be transferred to a woman. The embryos must not be allowed to develop in the laboratory beyond 14 days after fertilisation. You don’t need a licence to conduct research on sperm or eggs. Click to show and hide content Complete the initial enquiry form Your initial enquiry should include details of your research project and will usually be followed up with a conversation with one of our team. We’ll talk you through the application process and advise you on how you can meet our Licence Committee’s requirements before you submit your application. Please email regulationofresearch@hfea.gov.uk for a copy of this form. Click to show and hide content Seek research ethics approval You’ll need to get approval from an independent research ethics committee before you apply for a licence. Researchers from the NHS can apply to the NHS research ethics committees – find your NHS research ethics committee. Choose a person responsible Click to show and hide content Complete an application form and pay the administration fee Click to show and hide content What happens next? Click to show and hide content Questions? Click to show and hide content ; ; Review date: 3 November 2023 Send to a friend Print this page Follow us on Twitter Opens in new window Get in touch Facebook Opens in new window Get information Find a Clinic Treatment options Donors and donation Fertility preservation About the HFEA News and press releases Privacy, cookies and accessibility Accessibility statement Freedom of information Complaints Work for us For clinics Clinic Portal Applying for a clinic licence Applying for a research licence PGT-M conditions Research and data Our data Guide to the anonymised register Research publications