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Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Pharmacists and Healthcare Scientists

If you're an Allied Health Professional (AHP), pharmacist or healthcare scientist interested in research, we can help you develop your skills and signpost to information that can help.  

Published research

Search our research evidence for research findings and information about the projects we have funded to improve your ways of working.


First steps in research

Explore the following courses and qualifications:

Become a Research Delivery Leader:  Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework

This Master's level qualification will help you gain the networks, skills and confidence to lead and support clinical research delivery.

Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework

Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme

The Associate PI Scheme is a  six month in-work training opportunity to provide practical experience to start a research career.

Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme

e-Learning for pharmacists

Improve your research awareness and skills if you're a pharmacist or pharmacy technician new to research with our e-learning modules on NIHR Learn:

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Research Learning Programme for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians


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.


Which research training programme is right for you?

We offer a range of research training awards for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), pharmacists and healthcare scientists.

Your professional background, setting and how you wish to balance your academic career will determine which programme is best for you.

Most programmes are available from Master's level to post-doctoral.

Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme

For those wishing to combine research with clinical practice, and develop a clinical academic career. 

Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme

Fellowships Programme

This programme offers flexibility for clinical time, while focusing on an academic career.

Fellowships Programme

More information

For advice on which scheme is right for you, speak to a member of the team at 0113 532 8444 or academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk 


Other awards to help your academic research career

We provide a number of schemes to help you along your academic career path.

Development and Skills Enhancement Award

This post-doctoral level award supports researchers to gain specific skills and experience over 12 months to underpin the next phase of their career.

Development and Skills Enhancement Award

Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award

A flexible, postdoctoral award, which provides funding for up to 5 years to focus on a broad range of research activities to support career development.

More information

For advice on which scheme is right for you, speak to a member of the team at 0113 532 8444 or academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk 


AHP Research Champions

Our AHP Research Champions are part of an ever expanding community of role models and research activists who are promoting the work of AHPs in research and encouraging AHPs to get involved.

Email ahps@nihr.ac.uk to find out more and to get involved.


Case studies

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My pathway from physiotherapist to clinical academic fellow

Children’s physiotherapist Adam Galloway shares how he first made the move into a clinical academic career and reveals insights into his journey as aNIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow.

Finding the balance of a clinical academic research career

A lead clinical physiotherapist provides insight into her path in research - including being the first Allied Health Professional (AHP) in her organisation to be awarded theHEE/NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship.


More information

Research and Innovation Strategy for England

Allied Health Professions’ Research and Innovation Strategy for England

Latest news and developments

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