An academic and clinical career research pathway is a structured route that allows healthcare professionals and researchers to combine clinical practice with academic research – progressing through defined stages of training and development.
NIHR research career development funding offers flexible academic funding programmes designed to support your research career at every stage.
These awards can be combined with clinical training and practice, enabling you to develop as a researcher while continuing your professional role.
From undergraduate internships to senior leadership awards, NIHR funding helps build skills, strengthen research capacity, and translate discoveries into real-world impact.
Click on the arrows below to expand each stage of the Academic and Clinical Career Pathway.
Internships
The NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme is designed to inspire and attract students from underrepresented professions early in their academic journey to explore careers in health and social care research.
Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to real-world research environments, the programme helps students develop essential skills and gain insight into the impact of research on improving health outcomes.
Predoctoral Award
The NIHR Predoctoral Award provides funding for a tailored programme of training and development at master’s level, designed to help you progress your health and social care research career.
• For clinical and practitioner applicants: This award supports the development of a strong PhD application and research skills.
• For aspiring methodologists: It offers an opportunity to build expertise in research methodology and prepare for a PhD or a specialist career in health and social care research.
This award is an excellent stepping stone for those looking to advance their research ambitions and gain the skills needed for future doctoral-level study.
Senior Investigator Award
The NIHR Senior Investigator Award recognises the most prominent researchers in applied health and social care. Senior Investigators play a vital role in shaping the future of health, public health, and social care research in the UK.
As part of a national community of research leaders, Senior Investigators:
- Influence national research priorities and strategy
- Act as mentors and role models for early-career researchers
- Lead impactful research that improves health and care
- Serve as ambassadors across health and social care systems
- Help build research capacity and talent in underrepresented areas
This award is one of the most prestigious NIHR accolades, celebrating excellence and leadership in research.
For more details visit the NIHR website
For more information contact the NIHR Leicester BRC Training team by email brctraining@leicester.ac.uk
Research Professorships
The NIHR Research Professorship is a prestigious five-year award that enables outstanding academics to lead health and care research at the highest level. A key focus of this award is translating research into practice—bridging the gap between discovery and real-world impact.
Each year, up to five Research Professorships are awarded to strengthen leadership in health, public health, and social care research. Successful applicants will drive innovation by turning new discoveries into better treatments and evaluating promising ideas so they become part of everyday clinical and care practice.
Applications: Open once a year.
Doctoral Awards
The NIHR Doctoral Award offers funding and support for individuals from all professional backgrounds to complete a PhD in applied health or social care research. This flexible scheme is designed to advance your research career while focusing on projects within the NIHR remit for personal career development awards.
Duration: 3 years full-time, with part-time options available.
Application rounds: Opens twice a year in April and October.
This award provides an excellent opportunity to develop your expertise, contribute to impactful research, and progress towards becoming a leader in health and social care research.
Clinical Lectureships
The NIHR Clinical Lectureship is a postdoctoral award that provides doctors and dentists with a unique opportunity to combine clinical practice with academic research. This scheme offers a supportive environment for developing advanced research skills, building independence, and progressing toward becoming a future leader in health and social care research.
Application rounds: Twice a year – April and October