Print This PostNIHR has funded universities across 12 regions in England £33.2m to provide research training and engagement programmes for students and early career professionals.
The funding is for three years. It supports institutions to deliver engagement programmes to attract people into research careers. It also offers fully-funded Research Masters places to train those new to research.
The funding is part of the new INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme. This aims to help students and those at early career stages to access the full range of research careers. This includes from research delivery to academic.
Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of NIHR Academy, said: “We know how important early exposure to research is for helping students and early career professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to join the research workforce and build successful research careers in the future. The INSIGHT programme will offer over 300 funded Research Masters places per year and provide engagement activities that have the potential to excite and capture the imagination of students at an early stage in their career. I’m delighted that we can invest in our next generation of researchers in this way, and show students all of the benefits that research roles and careers have to offer.”
Training to help build successful research careers
The scheme will provide over 300 Masters places available per year across 12 regions. It aims to build research capacity across England making sure competitive research training opportunities are available to all regardless of geography. Each region has been awarded up to 30 masters studentships per year.
The regional programmes are open to students and recent graduates from professions without much exposure to research during their professional training. This will broaden access to research training. It will also help create a more diverse research workforce. It is open to students and recent graduates from:
- registered healthcare professions (not including doctors and dentists)
- social work professions
- public health professions
Innovative engagement activities will promote the benefits of research careers within health and care. This includes careers combining research and practice. Activities are wide ranging. Examples include workshops, networking, mentoring programmes and showcase events.
The fully-funded (including both course fees and stipend) Research Masters opportunities will enable students and recent graduates to gain valuable research training and experience. This will help develop the skills needed to join the research workforce. It will also help build capacity within health and social care.
Institutions in each region will advertise their Research Masters training and engagement opportunities. They can be held full-time or part-time (over two years). The first cohort of places start from September 2024.
Funded regional INSIGHT Programmes
Regional INSIGHT Programmes include a wide range of organisations. This includes universities, NHS Trusts, and Local Authorities.
The lead institutions within each region are:
- King’s College London
- Northumbria University
- University of Southampton
- University of Brighton
- University of the West of England
- University of Nottingham
- University of Essex
- University of Birmingham
- University of Central Lancashire
- City, University of London
- University of Plymouth
- University of Leeds
Find out more about the INSIGHT scheme.
About the INSIGHT Programme
We have awarded 3 years of funding to institutions with Masters places starting in the autumn of 2024, 2025 and 2026. Each year, up to 30 research Masters places are available in each region. More than 300 opportunities are available across England.
We have funded 12 INSIGHT Programmes for 3 years to deliver:
- engagement activities that attract people into research and showcase the benefits of research careers
- places on fully-funded Masters courses that will develop your research skills and experience
Who can apply?
The research Masters places and opportunities are open to students and recent graduates from a diverse group of professions including:
- nurses and midwives
- allied health professionals comprising of:
- art, music and drama therapists
- dieticians
- occupational therapists
- operating department practitioners
- orthoptists
- osteopaths
- paramedics
- physiotherapists
- podiatrists
- prosthetists and orthotists
- diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers
- speech and language therapists
- pharmacists
- healthcare scientists
- registered social work professionals
- registered public health professionals
To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be:
- an undergraduate student, postgraduate student, or early career professional
- working towards or have recently completed your professional registration with one of the approved regulatory bodies (not including doctors and dentists):
- Academy for Healthcare Science
- General Chiropractic Council
- General Dental Council
- General Medical Council
- General Optical Council
- General Osteopathic Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Social Work England
- UK Public Health Register
Doctors and dentists
The INSIGHT Programme is not available to doctors and dentists. If that’s you, you could consider alternative Masters-level opportunities:
- awards available through the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme
- activities offered by the INSPIRE scheme coordinated by the Academy of Medical Sciences
Experienced health and care professionals
The INSIGHT Programme is for students and professionals at an early stage of their practitioner career. If you are at a more advanced stage of your registered profession, and are looking to start your career in research, the NIHR offers a number of other pre-doctoral funding opportunities.
The Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework provides Master’s level qualifications for experienced healthcare practitioners from all professional backgrounds who want to take on leadership roles in clinical research delivery.
Explore NIHR support and information tailored to your profession
How to apply
You’ll apply to your chosen research Masters programme or engagement opportunity through the INSIGHT Programme within your region.
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