Launch of a major joint initiative to boost research capacity for Healthcare Scientists

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in collaboration with the Chief Scientific Officer, is launching a major new initiative to boost research capacity for Healthcare Scientists.

An innovative research fellowship programme will be launched in September 2008 aimed at building the research capability and capacity within the NHS. These fellowships are designed to support healthcare scientists working in the NHS to pursue, in the context of their service, an area of independent research which will have direct patient benefit and will therefore underpin the research infrastructure of NHS organisations. They will offer a stepping stone for individuals to bridge clinical/service careers and research, enabling them, for example, to undertake a Masters in Research; to do post-doctoral work or undertake preliminary research development to enable a further grant or PhD fellowship application.

Fellowships will be awarded for up to two years duration and are available to healthcare scientists who have an interest in, and have undertaken some research activity and who have a minimum of three years health service experience. The research work must optimise and support relationships and partnerships between the NHS and a University.

Prospective applicants will hold an NHS employment contract or joint university and NHS contract. A detailed project proposal with clear methodology together with an agreement about explicit working arrangements from their employer, will be required as part of the application process.

Further details will be available on the National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development website in September