NIHR Faculty Senior Investigators announced

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) yesterday announced the first 100 members of its College of Senior Investigators. The list comprises pre-eminent researchers in the NHS who are leading some of the most prestigious applied health and social care research projects in the country, with a number involved in NIHR Clinical Research Networks. The successful applicants have been selected in an open competition by an international panel of judges.

The college has been set up to support the people who are making the most outstanding contribution to people-focused health research in the NHS which is essential for decision-making in health and in social care. Senior Investigators will take up their posts from April this year. They will provide leadership to the NIHR Faculty, expert advice to the Director of the NIHR, and promote clinical and applied people-focused research in health and social care.

Sally Davies, Director General of Research and Development, Department of Health said: "We want to encourage the people who are leading applied health research in this country. Their work is crucial and already helping to shape the health and social care services of the future. At full strength we intend to have 200 Senior Investigators at any one time, and we will welcome more applications each year over the next five years."