These programmes offer working researchers opportunities to develop their careers and get advice into how UKRI awards funding.
Mentoring
The Academy of Medical Sciences mentoring programme
Part-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Academy of Medical Sciences mentoring programme pairs postdoctoral researchers with an academy fellow or an NIHR senior investigator or research professor to help them with career decisions and planning.
They also offer the SUSTAIN scheme for current clinician fellows, career development award grant holders and new investigator research grant holders. It provides women researchers an opportunity to benefit from individualised support on key topics such as leadership, career planning, building a research team, grant writing and work-life balance.
Fellowship mentoring programme
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have a pool of mentors available for BBSRC fellows.
Shadowing
MRC board and panel observer scheme
The board and panel observer scheme gives early to mid-career researchers who are on the way to independence the opportunity to observe an MRC board or panel funding meeting. This is a unique opportunity to get valuable insight into decision-making processes at MRC.
MRC board and panel associate scheme
This two-year programme offers established researchers from under-represented groups the chance to serve on an MRC funding board or panel as an associate. Benefits include mentoring and rare insights into research best practice and funding decision-making.
Last updated: 24 March 2026