Professional doctorate clinical research training fellowship
Medical Research Council (MRC) · United Kingdom
Funding opportunity supporting registered healthcare professionals to undertake a PhD or similar higher research degree focused on improving human health within the Medical Research Council remit.
Summary
Deadline
2 Sept 2026
Complexity
High
Time to apply
60-120 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding opportunity supporting registered healthcare professionals to undertake a PhD or similar higher research degree focused on improving human health within the Medical Research Council remit.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research, Public Sector
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Research areas within the MRC remit including infections and immunity, molecular and cellular medicine, population and systems medicine, neurosciences and mental health, translation, global health research, methodology, public health.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Registered healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, doctors, dentists, general practitioners and veterinarians. Registered healthcare professional with relevant clinical training; UK host organisation eligible for MRC funding. Research projects across the MRC remit to improve human health, rangi...
Eligible applicants
Registered healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, doctors, dentists, general practitioners and veterinarians.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
No funding limit specified. Costs must be justified and appropriate to the project.
Total fund available
Not specified in the document.
Funding intensity
100% of justified costs funded.
Payment type
Salary and project costs via host (grant)
Eligible scope
Research projects across the MRC remit to improve human health, ranging from basic research to translational and clinical research.
Eligible expenses
- Salary appropriate to training level
- tuition fees at standard home student rate or supervisors’ time
- up to £25,000 per year for consumables, equipment and travel
- additional specific costs such as training placements or certain research-related costs when justified.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under MRC professional doctorate clinical research training fellowship FEC terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service. Applications cannot be submitted through the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
The assessment process aims to be completed within approximately eight months after submission.
Assessment process
Applications are checked for eligibility and scope, reviewed by independent experts, shortlisted applications proceed to interview, and final funding decisions are made by MRC.
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
- Research proposal sections
- supervisor statements
- host organisation support statement
- project partner letters if applicable
- data management plan
- ethics information
- cost justification.
Assessment criteria
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility or scope requirements are not met or if required information is missing.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
10 Jun 2026
Project duration
Usually 3 years (minimum 2; up to 4 for patient-oriented projects).
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Professional doctorate clinical research training delivered through host institution.
Consortium requirements
- Single fellow hosted by eligible UK research/NHS organisation.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Eligibility Criteria","value":"Applicants must be a registered healthcare professional, be at an appropriate stage in training to undertake a PhD, demonstrate ownership of their research project and plans to pursue a clinical academic research career, request a minimum of 24 months full-time equivalent funding, have the support of an eligible research organisation, and intend to be clinically active in the UK during or after the award."},{"label":"Research Category","value":"Clinical research training fellowship supporting doctoral research."},{"label":"Application Effort","value":"Application requires completion of detailed sections including research proposal, career development plan, supervisor statements and cost justification."},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Yes. Shortlisted applicants are invited to interview."},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must explain why a fellowship is the best route for their research career and demonstrate appropriate skills, experience and supervision arrangements."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Applicants may only apply twice for any MRC fellowship scheme."},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"Applications are open to applicants of any nationality but must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation. Fellowship awards may be held part-time in certain circumstances."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Upcoming
- Deadline
- 2 Sept 2026
- Funding amount
- No funding limit specified. Costs must be justified and appropriate to the project.
- Funding band
- Verification Required
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Payment type
- Salary and project costs via host (grant)
- Audience
- Research Innovation, Public Sector, Mixed
- Industry
- Research areas within the MRC remit including infections and immunity, molecular and cellular medicine, population and systems medicine, neurosciences and mental health, translation, global health research, methodology, public health.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 14 Jan 2026