Whilst much good practice relating to research support for rural PCTs undoubtedly exists, little has been published about the processes that facilitate such successful support. This paper outlines the nature of a collaborative venture between a Research & Development Support Unit, HRDNoW, and a Primary Care Research Network, CumbReN in providing research support to three rural PCTs in North Cumbria. In doing so, the paper highlights how research capacity is built through a combination of inputs at an individual and organisational level and looks specifically at the outcomes of this collaboration.