Are you looking to launch your research career pre-PhD? Opening in January/February annually, the NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship aims to support clinical and non-clinical professionals on their path to becoming future leading researchers. The year-long fellowship helps recipients to develop the necessary skills and experience they might need before starting a PhD.
The funding is generally aimed at people with a master’s level qualification looking for a skills/experience boost before starting their PhD – for example, training in a specific methodology or running a pilot study to inform a PhD application. However, if you haven’t done a master’s yet you can still apply and use the funding for your master’s study!
What’s available?
The fellowship covers your salary for the year, plus up to £5,000 in training and development support, and up to £1,000 in mentorship/supervision costs for the mentor/supervisor’s organisation. The award is one year full time but can also be part time between 50-100%.
Who’s it for?
If you’re looking to undertake some training before applying for a PhD, this award may be for you! See some specific eligibility criteria below:
- For clinical academic applicants: completion of relevant pre-registration training.
- For non-clinical applicants: completion of first degree.
- Proposed host should be an English HEI, NHS body or other provider of health and/or care services.
- Must not have registered for or completed a PhD.
- You must have the intention to submit a future PhD application in one of the NIHR Academy’s defined Strategic Themes.
More information
The pre-doctoral fellowship provides a great opportunity for clinical and non-clinical professionals to take some time to enhance their research skills before diving into a PhD. You can learn more about the award here.