ARE YOU READY TO:
Be part of a network of mental health researchers who can support each other in 2025 and beyond?
Be supported to work on and achieve your professional goals in a fully funded programme?
Develop your professional networks, skills and experience to work across sectors and disciplines and make a difference through mental health research?
TIMELINE:
Deadline for applications: Monday 14 July 2025, 12pm
Programme duration: September 2025 - March 2026. See schedule for exact dates
This is a bespoke GROW programme for direct awardees of the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health programme, and those working in a team/project funded by the Three Schools.
What can I expect from the GROW Programme?
- A two-day fully-funded residential covering various topics, for example:
- securing funding
- building your own professional network
- forging connections and partnerships across disciplines and sectors
- Five 1-to-1 coaching sessions to identify and work on your own professional development goals
- Peer networking and support
- Opportunities to meet and connect with senior researchers/PIs
- Participation in the Incubator Gathering, a one day meeting with alumni of all previous Incubator programmes in attendance. Sessions will be run by alumni and coaches.
- Monthly virtual workshops on topics such as:
- making an impact – working with policy and practice
- collaborating with patients and the public in research
- looking to the future of mental health research
What costs are funded?
The GROW programme is fully funded (including the welcome residential) by the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health Programme. Up to £250 is available to cover travel expenses (driving or public transport), childcare and caring costs.
Testimonials from GROW Programme alumni
Who can apply to join the GROW Programme?
Essential criteria
- Direct awardee of the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health Research programme, or working in a team/project funded by the programme.
- Early to mid-career researcher in any discipline or sector.
- The GROW programme is for those who consider themselves to be early to mid-career researchers and are working in a research role and have the potential to develop more independence as a researcher.
- Passionate about mental health research that has the potential to improve lives.
- Curious about working across disciplines and sectors.
- Interested to meet peers, form new collaborations and support each other.
- Able to commit to participating in all the programme activities including the residential, face to face workshops and online sessions.
- Be ready to reflect on your professional development and identify and work towards new professional goals.
Desirable criteria
We particularly welcome applications from researchers whose backgrounds, disciplines, and regions are currently under-represented in mental health research.
Workshop dates and times
Tuesday 9 September 2025
Online workshop
Location: Online
Time: 11am - 12pm (midday)
This online workshop will take place on Zoom and gives participants the chance to virtually meet up and explore a specific topic.
Monday 13 - Tuesday 14 October 2025
Residential
Location: Birmingham
A two-day fully-funded residential, designed for participants to immerse themselves in the programme and step away from regular responsibilities. Participants will have the opportunity to network and learn about 1-to-1 coaching. They will attend workshop sessions on topics such as: exploring and setting goals, career journey reflections, and seeking funding.
Tuesday 4 November 2025
Incubator Gathering
Location: Manchester
Time: 10am - 3pm
This workshop and networking event brings together all of the alumni from previous MHR Incubator programmes from across the UK to network, establish research collaborations and attend skills workshops and also short sessions hosted by other ECRs.
Monday 1 December 2025
Online workshop
Location: Online
Time: 1pm - 2pm
This online workshop will take place on Zoom and gives participants the chance to virtually meet up and explore a specific topic.
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Online workshop
Location: Online
Time: 12pm (midday) - 1pm
This online workshop will take place on Zoom and gives participants the chance to virtually meet up and explore a specific topic.
Monday 9 February 2026
Online workshop
Location: Online
Time: 1pm - 2pm
This online workshop will take place on Zoom and gives participants the chance to virtually meet up and explore a specific topic.
Friday 6 March 2026
Online workshop
Location: Online
Time: 10am - 11am (midday)
This online workshop will take place on Zoom and gives participants the chance to virtually meet up and explore a specific topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
No – in fact we are keen to have participants join the GROW Programme from a broad range of disciplines and professional backgrounds. Previous cohorts have included researchers from pharmacy, nursing, social work, psychiatry.
The programme is completely free to attend, including the welcome residential. We will provide up to £250 funding for travel/childcare costs.
Applications will only be assessed once the application deadline has passed, not on a first come first served basis.
Reviewers use the CVs to understand your career journey so far. Your academic CV should give overview of your career so far, the key roles and training you’ve taken on, and any career breaks you have taken.
They will also use the CV to check your suitability for the programme. It is a good idea to give examples of any recent publications and anything else that demonstrates the level you are working at as a researcher.
You can email the Mental Health Research Incubator team at mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk.
For this GROW programme funded and in partnership with the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health programme you can apply if you consider yourself an early or mid career researcher and you are either a direct awardee of the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health programme or you are working in teams and projects funded by the Three Schools are eligible for this GROW programme.
If you have any other questions about the programme or eligibility, please don't hesitate to contact us at mhresearch@psych.ox.ac.uk
This GROW Programme is funded by the Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health Programme.