Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft. To browse the NIHR site please use a modern, secure browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.

Health and care research courses and support

We aim to give you the skills and knowledge to conduct health and care research studies or trials in England. Research helps you improve healthcare outcomes, enhance patient wellbeing and influence health and care policies.

Find out about the training and support we can offer you.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training courses for people supporting clinical research delivery at the NHS, UK universities and other publicly funded organisations in England.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme

The Associate PI Scheme aims to develop doctors, nurses,  physician associates and allied health professionals who do not undertake research as part of their usual role, to help them become the PIs of the future.

The scheme is open to those in the approved specialty areas, willing to make a significant contribution to the delivery of a research study at a local level over a period of at least six months.

Associate PI Scheme

Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP)

Are you a research delivery nurse or midwife who wants to develop their research leadership skills?

The NIHR’s Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP) aims to address some of the current gaps in career opportunities for research delivery nurses and midwives by supporting them to become Principal Investigators (PIs) to deliver NIHR portfolio studies.

Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP)

Postgraduate courses on leading clinical research delivery

The NIHR and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) have worked with Higher Education Institutions to develop a national framework of Master’s level qualifications.

These qualifications are made up of a combination of online modules and practical experience, providing healthcare practitioners from any regulated profession with the skills, networks and confidence to lead and support clinical research delivery.

Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework

Senior Research Leader Programme for nurses and midwives

This 3 year programme aims to further develop the research leadership skills of senior nurses and midwives involved in research. As a senior research leader, you can drive forward meaningful changes within your organisation and beyond.

Senior Research Leader Programme for nurses and midwives

Local learning and development

Find out about local training in your area through our Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs). There are 15 networks across England.

If you’re logged into NIHR Learn, look out for ‘Locally delivered learning’ to find local courses and learning events.

Initiatives from your speciality

We support research being delivered through thirty specialty therapy areas. Each specialty is made up of expert clinical leaders and practitioners who work at both national and local levels to ensure that studies are delivered successfully.

Current opportunities for those new to research include:

Working with trainee networks

The NIHR Clinical Research Network works with and supports trainee networks to carry out high quality research. Trainee networks allow trainees opportunities to get involved in collaborative research in a meaningful way at a regional and national level.  Contact your Local Clinical Research Network to find out more about opportunities in your local area.

Specialist learning and support

Our research innovation projects and initiatives offer access to a variety of specialist resources to develop your career in research. Find out more about the support and resources available to early career researchers in the following specialist areas:

More information

Explore support we can offer you by profession

Help people take part in research

Do you want to lead health and care research? Find out how we can support your career as a researcher