Research career development funding programmes

Our flexible academic funding programmes can be combined with clinical training and practice.

NIHR career development funding is available through the NIHR Academy at different career levels, from undergraduate to professorships. Our funding is for all professionals across health and social care.

Starting out as a researcher

Are you interested in a research career, but not sure where to start? Find out what opportunities we can offer you.

Our research career funding programmes

Predoctoral-level opportunities

Fellowships to help you advance your health and social care research career at a Masters level. Includes our Fellowship Programme, Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme, Integrated Academic Training Programme and Local Authority Academic Fellowship Programme.

Doctoral-level opportunities

Fellowships to help you complete a PhD in applied health or social care. Includes our Fellowship Programme, Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme and Local Authority Academic Fellowship Programme.

Postdoctoral-level opportunities

Fellowships and development opportunities to support your career development post PhD. Includes our Fellowship Programme, Global Health Programme, Integrated Academic Training Programme, Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme and Local Authority Academic Fellowship Programme.

Professorships and Senior Investigators Award

Funding if you are an established senior researcher and future leader. Includes our Senior Investigator Award and our Research Professorships.

Support for your career development

Funding and support to help get you to the next stage of your research career.

Latest stories

Hear from researchers who have received career development funding

Stories

Roll out of meningitis vaccine saves children's lives

Multiple NIHR career development awards have supported researcher Dr Hannah Christensen’s influential work on the UK’s meningitis immunisation schedule.

Stories

Tackling fatty liver to manage diabetes and other diseases

Supported by an NIHR Senior Research Fellowship award, Professor Trenell developed a digital behaviour change platform for people with type 2 diabetes, excess weight or liver disease.

Stories

Identifying mental illness among new and expectant mums

As a recipient of an NIHR Research Professorship award, Professor Louise Howard’s research influenced national policies and increased government funding for perinatal mental health services.

Contact us

Call us: 0113 532 8444
Email us: academy@nihr.ac.uk