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  developing leaders in clinical and applied health and social care research
 

NIHR Senior Investigators 

Senior Investigators are NIHR’s most pre-eminent researchers and include some of the nation’s most outstanding leaders of patient and people based health and social care research. Senior Investigators are fundamental to the formation of NIHR Faculty.  

A total of 203 NIHR Senior Investigators have now been appointed through three national competitions informed by the advice of an international expert panel. Further annual rounds of competition will be held to maintain numbers of at this level.

The Senior Investigator Directory  provides details of the 163 Senior Investigators appointed through the first two rounds of competition. This will be updated to include details of the 40 further individuals who will take up post from April 2010.  

There is a conference for Senior Investigators every year. The 2009 conference was held on 16 and 17 November 2009. Read more. The inaugural conference for the NIHR College of Senior Investigators took place on 24 September 2008. Read more

The purpose of identifying and rewarding Senior Investigators is to support and incentivise the key individuals who are making the most outstanding contribution to research essential for decision-making in health and in social care.

Senior Investigators receive an award of £15,000 a year as a personal discretionary fund, and attract additional NIHR Flexibility and Sustainability Funding to the main NHS organisation with which they hold a contract of employment or an honorary contract.  

NIHR Senior Investigators form the NIHR College, a prestigious body with a programme of events, including an annual conference. Senior Investigators:  

  • provide research leadership to the NIHR Faculty, promoting clinical and applied patient and people based research in health and social care;
  • help in planning and speaking at events and summer schools;
  • will host visiting fellows and mentor Trainees;
  • provide expert advice to the Department of Health Director General for Research and Development.

NIHR given nominating body status by ACCEA

The NIHR has been awarded nominating body status by the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards. The NIHR will make its first ACCEA nominations in the 2010 round. As this is our first year, efforts are being focused on Senior Investigators. Details and guidance are available in the documents below. Applications for nominations closed on 16 September 2009.

The NIHR cannot nominate for ACCEA platinum awards. However, we can provide citations to ACCEA on behalf of Gold award holders seeking an up-grade to Platinum awards - see the letter bellow to all Senior Investigators Gold Award Holders.

   Letter to Senior Investigators regarding nominating body status
   Guidance for prospective applicants
   Letter to Senior Investigators Gold Award Holders

 

Competition for appointment to the College of Senior Investigators

The third competition closed on 31 July 2009, with successful applicants notified in March 2010

  NIHR Senior Investigators - list of third round appointments March 2010
Link NIHR Senior Investigators third annual competition details
  Senior Investigators - list of second round appointments March 2009 (PDF)
Senior Investigators - list of appointments March 2008 (PDF)
Implementation Plan 3.4 NIHR Faculty College of Senior Investigators (PDF)
Link Senior Investigator Directory
Link NIHR Faculty Frequently Asked Questions.