How to apply for NIHR career development awards

We offer a wide range of career development awards through the NIHR Academy. Our awards are available across a variety of career levels and backgrounds. 

Finding the right career path can be complex, especially if you’re new to research. The information on this page should help. 

Step 1 - find the right award

We offer career development awards that are for both individuals and institutions.

Visit our career development awards page to view current opportunities.

Step 2 - read our application guidance

Our application guidance provides all the information you’ll need to apply to an award. You’ll find a link to it from the relevant award page. It includes information such as:

• eligibility criteria
• what we’re looking for
• how to fill out the online application form

Step 3 - get advice

Use these resources to help, or contact the Academy to speak to someone. 

• planning checklist
• clinical trials guide
• additional guidance on a clinical trial, pilot study or feasibility study as part of a personal award application
• watch a webinar

Are you based in the UK?

Access our Research Support Service

Step 4 - apply online

You’ll apply to most of our career development awards through ARAMIS, our online awards management system. 

• register and log into ARAMIS
• application submission process diagram

Academy awards that do not use ARAMIS

NIHR Integrated Academic Training (IAT) partnerships host some awards for doctors and dentists. For those, you will apply directly to the local partnership:

• Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) applications are through the Oriel portal 
• Clinical Lectureships (CLs) applications are either through the Oriel portal or directly to the relevant Higher Education Institute

Job adverts will give full details of the application process for each IAT post.