This page explains how commercial life sciences companies can help to build research capacity and capability in areas of shared interest by partnering with the NIHR to co-fund research career development opportunities.
We work in partnership with the life sciences industry, including SMEs, to build research expertise, capacity and capability in areas of shared interest by co-funding research career development opportunities, such as research awards and fellowships.
The NIHR plays a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best health and care researchers to tackle the complex challenges of the future. By partnering with us, you can collaborate with a highly-skilled academic research workforce with experience in translational and applied health and care research.
We can also work with you to develop opportunities for early career researchers to attract new talent, embed commercial research delivery skills and experience, and help address capability gaps.
By pooling resources in areas of mutual interest, we can share our wealth of expertise and resources to collectively upskill the current and future research workforce.
Co-funding partnership opportunities are available at doctoral and postdoctoral (advanced) level through the NIHR Fellowships Programme and the HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Programme.
Both programmes attract future leaders in health and social care research; both provide salary funding for the researcher as well as the cost of the research project. Researchers on the Fellowship Programme have the option to spend time in the clinic, whereas those funded by the ICA programme must spend between 20-40% of their time in their clinical or practice role.
Since 2020, we have partnered with Pfizer UK to co-fund Doctoral and Advanced Fellowships in areas such as arthritis, chronic pain and psoriasis. Read more about this Pfizer partnership which is tackling key areas of research need.
We have also launched the Zinc Health and Care Innovation Fellowships programme, in partnership with the NIHR and The Dunhill Medical Trust.
This is just one example of how we work with commercial companies. Visit our NIHR support for the life sciences industry page to discover our full range of services, support and partnership opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about the partnership opportunities described on this page, please talk to our dedicated Industry team.
