Career development
Read about the research courses, funding programmes and initiatives for nurses and midwives.
Training to support research
Find out about what health and care research is and how you can develop your research knowledge and skills in the Research training and careers section
The most popular training is Good Clinical Practice.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
If you support clinical research delivery at the NHS, UK universities and other publicly funded organisations in England, you need to do GCP training:
NIHR Research Masterclass - help to apply for fellowship funding
Sign up to this masterclass if you want to start an independent health services research career. It will help if you want to apply for research fellowship funding.
It's an online course that includes webinars, examples of career journeys, discussion forums and case studies.
FutureNHS account
You will need a FutureNHS account to join the masterclass. Once you have logged in and followed the link below, you can “join workspace”.
To set up an account, go to FutureNHS, add your work email address and join for free.
How to join the masterclass
Once you have a FutureNHS account, you go to the link below and 'Join' the workspace.
NIHR Research Masterclass for Nurses, Midwives, and Health and Care Professions - FutureNHS
Writing Skills for Clinical Research Nurses and Midwives
If you want to write your own research publication, join this writing skills module on FutureNHS.
- do you have a study that you would like to publish?
- are you looking to start an independent health services research career?
- do you want to develop the knowledge and skills to apply for funding?
This module can help you.
FutureNHS account
You will need a FutureNHS account to join the masterclass. Once you have logged in and followed the link below, you can “join workspace”.
To set up an account, go to FutureNHS, add your work email address and join for free.
How to join
Once you have a FutureNHS account, you go to the link below and 'Join' the workspace.
Writing Skills for Clinical Research Nurses, Midwives and research delivery staff - Future NHS
Become a Principal Investigator (PI)
A Principal Investigator (PI) is an individual responsible for the conduct of the research at a research site. Each research site should have one PI.
Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme
The Associate PI Scheme aims to develop nurses and midwives 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.
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.
Leadership programmes
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
Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Programmes
The Florence Nightingale Foundation offers leadership programmes to strengthen your ability to lead and influence. Find out more:
Leadership programmes - Florence Nightingale Foundation
NIHR Leaders Support and Development Programme
This leadership programme in health and social care is aimed at early to mid-career researchers. You are eligible if you are a postdoctoral NIHR Academy member. Find out more:
Clinical academic career development awards
You can apply for research training awards through:
Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Programme
The Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Programme provides research training awards for health and social care professionals, excluding doctors and dentists, who wish to develop careers that combine research and research leadership with continued practice and professional development.
Integrated Clinical and Practitioner (ICA) Programme
NIHR Fellowships Programme
The NIHR Fellowship Programme supports individuals on their trajectory to becoming future leaders in health and social care NIHR research.
Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award
The Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award is a flexible post-doctoral award which provides funding for up to 5 years to focus on a broad range of research activities to support career development.
Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award
Development and Skills Enhancement Award
The Development and Skills Enhancement Award is a post-doctoral level funding opportunity aimed at supporting early to mid-career researchers in gaining specific skills and experience to underpin the next phase of their research career.
NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award
Need advice?
For advice on which scheme is right for you, call 0113 532 8444 or email academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk
More information
Explore our information and resources for Nurses and midwives