A brand new Pilot Programme:
Leading a Culture of R&I in Primary Care across Lancashire and South Cumbria
A fully funded six-month research leadership pilot programme for health and care professionals in primary care (including but not limited to: GPs, Nurses, Pharmacists and AHPs) across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Take the lead on Research & Innovation (R&I) in your organisation — this programme gives you the confidence, skills, and networks to make it happen.
No senior title required. Just a willingness to learn, grow, and make a difference from where you are.
Want to discover more?
Join us at a drop-in information session to find out more about this new programme and ask any questions about the application process.
19 June 2026, 12–12:30 pm
22 July 2026, 12–12:30 pm
Build confidence in research leadership
Create a culture that enables innovation
Strengthen networks across your region
Make a lasting impact in your community
What is the programme?
This six-month leadership development programme is designed to support health and care professionals to lead and sustain a culture of Research and Innovation (R&I) in primary care, social care and wider community settings.
Through a combination of workshops, coaching, mentoring and peer learning, you will explore how cultural change happens in practice — and how to influence it in your own organisation.
You will develop and implement your own Research Culture Change Work Plan, focused on a real challenge in your service, such as improving research visibility, increasing participation in studies, or strengthening collaboration.
You don’t need a senior title or positional power to create change. This programme focuses on your personal practice — the way you think and behave in your day-to-day work — and how that can meaningfully shape the culture of Research & Innovation around you.
This is not just training — it’s a practical, supported journey to creating meaningful change.
Research-minded leadership
Culture change in action
Stronger collaboration
Real improvement in practice
Creative approaches & innovation
Measurable impact
Eligibility
We welcome applications from professionals who:
- Work in primary care settings (e.g. GP practices, Primary Care Networks, community services)
- Come from any professional background — including GPs, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals
- Are employed for 15 hours or more per week within Lancashire and South Cumbria primary care
You don’t need to be a researcher.
If you’re interested in improving care through research, innovation and collaboration, this programme is for you.
Funding
This programme is fully funded by NIHR RRDN. Participants can access funding for:
- up to 16 funded sessions
- travel and accommodation expenses where applicable
Employer approval will be required, and backfill funding will be arranged directly with your organisation.
Programme Structure
Key dates
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
Interviews: w/c 10 August 2026
Start date: 14-15 October 2026
End date: 18 March 2027
Delivery
Format: Hybrid
In person 2-days residential workshop, in person 1-day workshops, half days online workshops and online/in person mentoring and coaching.
Location: Lancashire and South Cumbria (with online support)
Workshop Days
14-15 October 2026
2–Days residential
18 November 2026
1–Day in person workshop
15 December 2026
Half–Day online workshop
7 January 2027
Half–Day online workshop
3 February 2027
1–Day in person workshop
18 March 2027
1–Day Celebration Event
+ Online coaching and mentoring (throughout the programme)
Learning Objectives
By the end of the six-month programme, participants will be able to:
- Develop a clear understanding of national, regional, and organisational R&I priorities, and how these translate into primary care practice.
- Understand how organisational culture is shaped by leaders, and identify what helps create a culture that supports R&I.
- Build confidence and creativity to facilitate, communicate, and lead R&I activity across multidisciplinary teams in primary care and local systems.
- Apply leadership models and core theories in primary care research settings, while reflecting on personal leadership style, strengths, and development areas.
- Strengthen emotional intelligence, communication, and influencing skills to engage colleagues, partners, and communities in R&I.
- Build and participate in communities of practice that support peer learning, mentoring, and longer-term capability for R&I.
- Design and implement an organisational change plan for R&I that aligns with primary care service delivery.
Outcomes
- A completed Research Culture Change Work Plan focused on a real challenge in your organisation
- Practical experience of leading and implementing change in your settingIncreased confidence in research, innovation and evidence-based practice
- Stronger professional networks across primary care, social care and community services
- Ongoing connection to a regional R&I community
Impact
By the end of the programme, participants will have:
- Strengthened research capability within their teams
- Improved engagement with research and innovation
- Built new collaborations across organisations
- Contributed to more inclusive and community-based research
Evaluation
The overall impact of the programme will be evaluated by the University of Lancaster, helping to capture learning and inform future development.
They will develop a clear theory of change that investing in the leadership capabilities of individuals working in primary and social care will create a cumulative, system-wide shift in research culture. The evaluation will then capture both the process and impact of the programme, helping to understand what works, for whom, and in what contexts.
Be part of a culture shift.
Help shape a future where research and innovation are part of everyday care.
Applications are now open.
Delivered in partnership with regional health and care organisations across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
