Eligible professions
You can apply if you’re a registered healthcare professional. This includes, but is not limited to:
- nurses
- midwives
- allied health professionals
- healthcare scientists
- pharmacists
- clinical psychologists
- doctors
- dentists
- general practitioners
- veterinarians.
Types of applicants
We welcome both predoctoral and postdoctoral applicants.
Predoctoral applicants
This funding supports clinically active healthcare professionals to undertake a higher research degree, such as a PhD or MD.
To be eligible you must:
- be able to demonstrate ownership of your project and show ambition to follow a clinical academic career
- be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to study for a PhD, with clear plans for completing your speciality training
- request a minimum of 24 months funding full-time equivalent to complete your PhD
- have the support of an eligible research organisation.
You do not need to have registered for a PhD at the time of your fellowship application.
If you have spent more than one year on the course in a full-time capacity, you must explain within your proposal why you are a suitable candidate.
If you have spent significantly more time than one year on your PhD course, we will consider your application only in exceptional circumstances.
You do not need to have held a position that includes formal research time, for example, an academic foundation or an academic clinical fellowship.
If you are clinically qualified, we will expect you to be undertaking your specialty training and have completed your membership of the Royal College of Physicians’ exams or equivalent.
You should consult your deanery about studying for a PhD and your plans for completing specialty training before you apply for a clinical research training fellowship.
If you are earlier or later in your clinical training, you will need to make a clear case for why now is the right time for you to undertake a PhD. We recommend discussing this with a programme manager at fellows@mrc.ukri.org.
General practitioners (GP)
If you are a GP, you are considered to be at an appropriate career stage to apply up to three years post-qualification.
Veterinarians
If you are a veterinarian, you may apply if you are a registered vet and a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Your proposed project must be relevant to human health.
Clinical psychologists
If you are a clinical psychologist, you must have a professional doctorate-level qualification in clinical psychology that is accredited by the British Psychological Society before starting the fellowship.
Non-medical healthcare professionals
If you are a non-medical healthcare professional, such as a nurse, midwife or allied health professional, you must have:
- completed your professional training
- hold a research master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate research-oriented qualification.
Postdoctoral applicants
This funding offers applicants who already have a PhD, but have not been active in research since, an opportunity to refresh their research skills and re-establish research momentum.
You can apply if you:
- have received a PhD or equivalent, usually five or more years ago
- are at a similar career stage to predoctoral applicants and are undertaking your specialty training
- have not undertaken substantial periods of academic research since your PhD (we may also consider your application if you have a National Institute for Health Research academic clinical fellowship or similar since your PhD)
- have the support of an eligible research organisation.
If you have completed your PhD within the last few years and are not eligible to apply for a clinical research training fellowship, you should consider the clinician scientist fellowship.
International applicants
Proposals are welcomed from applicants of all nationalities, including those not currently based in the UK. This is subject to the fellowship being hosted by an eligible research organisation.
You will be expected to show a genuine commitment to the UK research effort beyond the end of the award.
Career breaks and flexible working
We will take into account any career breaks, flexible working and changes in discipline when assessing your research experience and current track record.
Read our guidance for reviewers on how to assess career breaks and flexible working.
MRC is supportive of applicants wishing to combine their research training with caring responsibilities. All our fellowship awards may be held on a part-time basis or within flexible working arrangements.
Read our policy on part-time and flexible working.
Find out more
Further information can be found in guidance for fellowship applicants.
If you’re unsure whether you are eligible to apply, email fellows@mrc.ukri.org before beginning your application.