Global Health Research Professorship
The NIHR Global Health Research Professorship funds global health research projects. It enables researchers to work at a professorial level.
About our Global Health Research Professorship
The Global Health Research Professorship is our flagship career development award for global health researchers.
The award funds research leaders to promote effective translation of research. It strengthens research leadership at the highest academic levels.
Through this programme we fund research that aims to specifically and primarily benefit people in Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs) eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Applicants can be based in LMICs and in the UK.
“The prestigious Global Health Research Professorship will provide a step-change in my career, establishing me as a global research leader.”
Who can apply?
To apply you must be:
- an individual with an outstanding record of public health, health or care research
- on track to become a future global health research leader
- based in the UK or in a Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC)
- nominated by your host institution
- conducting research that directly and primarily benefits patients and the public in countries on the OECD DAC list
We welcome applications from a range of professional backgrounds, clinical and non-clinical.
Nominations by host institution
You may be eligible if you work at one of the following organisations in any profession:
- a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI)
- an LMIC HEI
- an LMIC research institute
You will need approval from your host institution as each HEI or research institute can only nominate a maximum of 2 people per year:
- where 2 nominees are nominated, at least one must be female
- where 1 nominee is nominated, they can be male or female
Your host institution will need to complete part of the application form.
Why apply?
A Global Health Research Professorship will accelerate outstanding academics’ careers. It will enable awardees to work at a professorial level within an Higher Education Institution (HEI) or research institute.
Successful researchers will each receive a 5-year award of up to £2 million. The award provides an extensive support package that includes:
- research support posts
- research costs
- a leadership and development programme
The award pays the cost of the awardee’s salary to their institution. This should allow the researcher to focus on their research project rather than administrative and managerial duties.
“It is immensely rewarding to see our research findings already resulting in patients benefiting from a much improved treatment for this devastating disease across Africa and around the world.”
What are we looking for?
This is a prestigious award. This means we look for researchers who are on course to become outstanding research leaders.
Since 2018, we have awarded just 19 Global Health Research Professorships. Find out about our current NIHR Global Health Research Professors.
We are looking for applicants who are on an upward career path. You should not already be an established leader in your field.
How to apply?
Applications open in September every year.
Before you apply, you need to get approval from your Higher Education Institution (HEI) as only 2 people can apply per institution. Please refer to the Nominations by host institution, above.
You will apply through ARAMIS, our online research award management system.
What happens after you apply
If your application is eligible, it will be considered by a funding committee and then by external peer reviewers. If you reach the shortlist, you will be invited to attend an interview.
Find out about our funding committee
Help with your application
You can access a range of online resources to help you: