Description

This opportunity is a clinical research training fellowship offered by the Medical Research Council (MRC) (part of UKRI). It supports registered healthcare professionals to undertake a higher research degree (PhD or equivalent) with the aim of building their research skills and advancing a clinical academic career within the MRC’s remit to improve human health. Fellowships provide salary and research costs for the duration of the doctoral programme.

Funding amount

• Organisations can request unlimited justified costs required to deliver the project. The funding is awarded at 100 % of justified costs and is not subject to full economic costing (FEC) categories.
• Funded items include:
  • competitive salary for the fellow;
  • tuition fees (standard home rate) or supervisor time;
  • up to £25,000 per year for consumables, equipment, travel and training;
  • other justified costs above the £25,000 cap where appropriate (e.g., overseas training, imaging costs).

Submission deadlines

• Opening date: 15 January 2026 at 9:00 am UK time.
• Closing date: 8 April 2026 at 4:00 pm UK time.
• Expected start window: fellowships are expected to begin no earlier than February 2027 and no later than May 2027 (applicants should confirm start dates with MRC if outside this window).

Submission conditions

• Applications must be submitted via the UKRI Funding Service; Je-S is not accepted.
• Fellow applicants must be registered healthcare professionals and at a suitable clinical training point to undertake doctoral research.
• Projects should be owned and led by the fellow with clear plans for clinical academic career progression.
• A supervisor from the host institution must be named to support and guarantee the quality of training and research.
• Costs must be fully justified, appropriate and represent value for money.
• Fellows may include project partners (UK or overseas) who contribute cash or in-kind support if relevant.

Eligible types of applicants / organisations

Eligible applicants:

• Clinically registered healthcare professionals — including (but not limited to) nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, doctors, dentists, general practitioners and veterinarians registered with the relevant UK regulatory body.
• Applicants can be predoctoral or postdoctoral if eligible to pursue a PhD or equivalent higher research degree.

Host organisations (must submit the application):

• Eligible UK research organisations (universities, NHS organisations with research capacity) that host the fellow and provide supervision and infrastructure.