Many clinicians (NMAHPs) are keen to do research to inform their practice and the need for evidence based practice has never been higher. There is a wide range of opportunities for NMAHPs to develop their research skills, to collaborate with others and to lead research but the landscape can be confusing and building a clinical academic career can be very challenging.
NHS R&D NW has supported and developed clinicians in the North West, Yorkshire & The Humber to build their skills and build research capacity for the north over many years. We offer a number of programmes to serve the needs of NMAHPs with limited research experience, those with research knowledge who want to apply for competitive funding awards to those with a proven track record with the aims of building sound foundations for research with patients and securing the research leaders of the future.
Formerly funded by Health Education England, our future funding will allow us to continue to develop and refine our programmes.
The Bridging Scheme is one example. It is designed to support those who have an applied health project in development and anticipate being ready to make an application for NIHR Fellowship funding to do a PhD within 12 months. The scheme provides funding to release some time for individuals as time is so often a key factor in being able to progress with writing an application and developing the study. It also offers a workshop series over 6 months covering aspects of an application, costing a proposal, developing as a research leader and presentation skills. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive and the number of applications suggest that there is considerable unmet need. The scheme runs annually and is typically launched to run along side the NIHR timetable of calls for fellowships twice a year. Applicants have to secure support from both their manager and their trust so that they can gain the best from the scheme. A scheme also runs for post doctoral researchers who have gained their PhD and are taking the next steps towards their goal of a clinical academic research.