Next intake of Fellowships for ‘NHS underpinned by dynamic RDI’

15th November 2024

A fresh round of Fellowship opportunities has been announced, supporting future leaders in research, development, and innovation (RDI), and helping to solve NHS challenges

The Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of Scottish Government believes that creating a positive culture across the NHS — where all staff feel empowered and supported to participate in RDI — is vital.

The Fellowships aim to fulfil that need, creating the capacity and capability for talented, diverse clinicians from all professional groups to accelerate RDI ambitions, in turn supporting efforts to radically transform health and social care delivery.

Four new intakes have been announced with applications invited through a new grants management system for:

NRS Career Researcher Fellowships

The aim of this scheme is to support General Practitioners and NHS-funded clinical staff with research experience to develop research within their post. The award provides funding for protected time to contribute to, conduct and lead clinical research to strengthen the research culture in the NHS. The application deadline is midday on Thursday 9 January.

Clinical Academic Fellowships

This scheme — running for over 10 years but relaunched in 2022 to allow non-medical applicants to also apply — is for clinical professionals early in their career to undertake a PhD. The application deadline is midday on Wednesday 22 January.

Joint NHS Education for Scotland (NES)/CSO Postdoctoral Clinical Lectureships

The aim of this scheme is to provide a research time opportunity for medical doctors who have completed a research degree (PhD or MD) and are currently working towards the completion of speciality training. The posts will have 50% protected academic time and will be available until the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) is reached. The application deadline is midday on Thursday 30 January.

Early Postdoctoral Fellowships

This fellowship provides three years of funding to researchers that have just completed a PhD and are looking to take the next step in developing a research career. The scheme is open to both clinical and non-clinical researchers who propose a project within CSO’s overall remit of early translational (experimental medicine), clinical and applied health research and social care. The application deadline is Monday 17th March.

NHS Researcher Development Fellowships

This is an introductory fellowship aimed at NHS employees currently working as a Nurse, Midwife, allied health professional, pharmacist, healthcare scientist or other in a clinical role to enable them to explore research as part of their existing NHS role. The application deadline is midday on Wednesday 5 February 2025.

Chief Scientist (Health) for Scotland, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak said: “The opening of our new round of Fellowship applications is a positive step towards embedding research and innovation in our NHS. Empowering the workforce and supporting forward-thinking solutions is vital as we work to tackle the challenges facing our health and social care services.

“Our Fellowships strengthen the research and innovation culture in the NHS, increase capacity in priority areas, and improve efficiency and sustainability.

“We are committed to developing the next generation of research and innovation experts and I am extremely proud of these fresh opportunities. If you believe you could be one of those experts, I would urge you to apply and experience the many benefits.”

There are currently over 100 active fellowships with projects spanning cancer, diabetes, mental health, cardiology, gynaecology, orthopaedics, dementia and many more.

Interested clinicians are asked to ensure they have read through the available guidance on each Fellowship opportunity to assess their eligibility before applying.

If you have any queries about the scheme or the application portal, please contact csofellowships@gov.scot.

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