Professional doctorate: clinical research training fellowship
This fellowship funds registered healthcare professionals to pursue a PhD in any medical research area within the MRC remit, supporting research, training, and clinical academic career development.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 2, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Supports salary, tuition fees (home rate), and up to £25,000/year for project costs for 2–4 years (typically 3 years); 100% of justified costs covered.
Summary: Fellowship for registered healthcare professionals to undertake a PhD in any area of medical research within the MRC remit, supporting research, training, and career development.
Key Information: Host institution must be UK-based and eligible; international applicants welcome if registered with a UK regulatory body.
Description
This fellowship enables registered healthcare professionals—including doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, clinical psychologists, and veterinarians—to undertake a PhD in any area within the Medical Research Council's (MRC) remit to improve human health. The award is designed to develop the next generation of clinical academics, offering protected time for research, training, and professional development. The fellowship supports research spanning from fundamental science to translational and developmental clinical research, and encourages collaborative placements in other UK or overseas institutions or industry.
Fellows receive a competitive salary, tuition fees at the home student rate, and project costs, with the flexibility to undertake limited clinical duties alongside research. The program aims to strengthen clinical research capacity and foster career progression in clinical academia.
