Capacity building: clinical research training fellowship
This fellowship helps healthcare professionals with a PhD who have been out of research for 5+ years regain research skills and restart their research careers in any area of MRC science.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 2, 2026 (Full application, 4:00pm UK time)
Funding Amounts: No upper limit; covers salary and project costs for up to 3 years (typically 2–3 years, up to 4 years for some projects); 80% of full economic cost (FEC) funded.
Summary: Supports healthcare professionals with a PhD who have been out of research for 5+ years to reacquire research skills and re-establish research careers in any area of MRC's remit.
Key Information: Applicants must be hosted by an eligible UK research organisation; international applicants welcome if based at a UK institution.
Description
This fellowship is designed for registered healthcare professionals who already hold a PhD (or equivalent) but have spent five or more years outside of research. It provides an opportunity to reacquire research skills, rebuild research momentum, and foster career development in any area within the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) remit—from basic biomedical research to translational and clinical studies aimed at improving human health. The fellowship funds a competitive salary and project costs for up to three years (with the possibility of up to four years for patient-oriented projects), and it offers flexibility for part-time awards to accommodate personal and professional circumstances. Fellows may undertake part of the fellowship at a second UK or overseas institution or in industry, and joint funding is available with a range of charity partners.
