The aim of this scheme is to support talented clinically active healthcare professionals who have gained a higher research degree to:
- lead their own research plans
- establish their own research team
- make the transition to independent investigator
You must be able to:
- explain why a fellowship is the best way to support your long-term career goals and chosen career path to become an independent researcher, for example by identifying opportunities for learning new skills, professional development, and undertake training that will underpin your future career ambitions
- show ambitious and credible ideas for using the fellowship to enable a step-change in your career
- describe your experience of identifying and maximising potential in others, for example, through the day-to-day support of masters and PhD students or early career scientists
- show how your skills and experience match those of the transition to independence career stage in our applicant skills and experience criteria
We welcome applications from across all areas of MRC’s remit to improve human health.
This may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease, to translational and developmental clinical research.
We expect your clinical work will help to inform and strengthen your research work.
MRC science areas include:
- infections and immunity
- molecular and cellular medicine
- population and systems medicine
- neurosciences and mental health
- translation
- global health
- methodology
- public health
Explore MRC’s areas of scientific remit.
We also welcome proposals for interdisciplinary approaches or research that will address global health issues and be of benefit to those living in low and middle-income countries.
What the fellowship gives you
The clinician scientist fellowship provides support for up to 5 years. We expect you to take advantage of the full 5 years’ funding available.
If you are intending to apply for a shorter period, you should contact the programme manager (fellows@mrc.ukri.org) before submitting a proposal. These periods are based on full-time equivalents.
Awards may be held on a part-time basis to meet personal commitments but not because of other professional commitments.
We expect you to take up your fellowship no more than 6 months after the date of the review meeting.
This fellowship scheme provides a competitive salary, giving you the chance to concentrate fully on your research, training and development. You may:
- spend up to 6 hours a week (pro-rated for part-time fellowships) on other commitments such as teaching, demonstrating, or other funded projects
- undertake up to 2 clinical sessions a week
Read MRC’s guidance on research staff development.
For surgeons and fellows undertaking patient-oriented projects where the clinical sessions will be of direct relevance to the research, applicants may undertake up to 4 clinical sessions a week.
We may allow greater flexibility on the time dedicated to non-fellowship activities (for example, those detailed above or obtaining grant support) during the second half of a fellowship.
Email the programme manager at fellows@mrc.ukri.org to discuss your plans.
Find out more about what to expect as an MRC fellow.
Funding available
The clinician scientist fellowship award will cover the full cost of your salary, as well as:
- research staff costs
- consumables expenses
- travel costs
- appropriate capital equipment
This award will also support a period of research overseas, at a second UK institution or within industry, whichever is most appropriate.
We encourage successful applicants to take advantage of the opportunities this will provide to develop collaborative networks and establish cross-sector development.
There is no limit to the amount of funding you can request under this scheme.
Requests must be appropriate to the project and you must be able to justify the amount you need to meet the objectives of your research proposal.
Awards are made under the full economic costing framework.
MRC will typically fund 80% of the full economic cost. The research organisation must agree to find the balance of full economic cost from other resources.
You cannot hold a salaried position and a fellowship at the same time. If you are awarded a fellowship, you may need to change to a proleptic appointment.
If you want to retain an existing position and combine this with research funding, we recommend you look at one of our grant scheme funding opportunities instead.
Search MRC grant funding opportunities.
Joint funders
MRC collaborates with royal colleges and charity funders to offer jointly-funded clinician scientist fellowships.
These awards offer the prestige of having the relevant organisation co-fund your fellowship and may offer additional opportunities to report on your project, present your work at meetings and take part in professional networking.
We are inviting applications for the following jointly-funded clinician scientist fellowship schemes.
Blood Cancer UK
Blood Cancer UK is a community dedicated to beating blood cancer by funding research and supporting those affected.
Since 1960, we’ve invested over £500 million in blood cancer research, transforming treatments and saving lives.
We welcome applications from clinicians and non-clinical academics in any area of blood cancer research.
We offer joint funding opportunities with MRC administered through the clinician scientist fellowship and career development award schemes.
If you have any questions about the fellowship, please contact our research team via research@bloodcancer.org.uk or take a look at the Blood Cancer UK website: funding schemes.
For further information on the charity and its work please visit Blood Cancer UK’s website.
DEBRA
Each year, 1 clinical scientist fellowship will be awarded jointly by MRC and DEBRA.
DEBRA is the largest UK funder of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) research. To support continued growth of EB research, we are committed to building a strong community of highly trained, innovative researchers with a clear career pathway into and through EB research.
DEBRA will be there to provide support at every stage: to attract, retain and support existing researchers and to bring new researchers into the field. This will ensure we inspire the next generation of EB researchers to become leaders of a future where no one suffers with EB.
Our new strategy puts patient outputs front and centre, with a focus on translational research that will have a positive impact on those with EB today. Our ambition is to find and fund treatments to lessen the day-to-day impact of EB, and cures to eradicate EB.
If you wish to discuss the fellowship or your proposed research area, please contact Dr Sagair Hussain, Director of Research at DEBRA: sagair.hussain@debra.org.uk
For more information about the charity and our research strategy visit the DEBRA website.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is leading the fight against the UK’s biggest and growing health crisis. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm and we fight diabetes through support, information, campaigning and research. As part of our research ambitions, we’re committed to attracting new research talent and retaining expertise so that we are growing the next generation of the future leaders.
We are partnering with MRC on a suite of research training fellowships to help grow investment in diabetes research careers. These include:
- clinical research training fellowship
- clinical scientist fellowship
- senior clinical fellowship
- career development award
- senior non-clinical fellowship
We will jointly fund up to 1 fellowship annually across these funding schemes. We will consider high quality applications into any aspect of diabetes and its related complications.
For further information regarding the charity’s work, including the research strategy, please visit the Diabetes UK website.
Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA)
MNDA’s Lady Edith Wolfson fellowships aim to support clinicians wishing to pursue research into the pathogenesis and treatment of motor neuron disease.
Awards under this scheme are available for clinical research training fellowships, senior clinical fellowships and clinician scientists fellowships.
If you have any questions about the fellowship or your proposed research area, please contact our director of research development, Dr Brian Dickie at brian.dickie@mndassociation.org
For further information, visit MNDA fellowships.
MRC-Kidney Research UK Professor David Kerr clinician scientist award
Kidney Research UK is the leading medical research charity that funds research dedicated to deliver change for people affected by kidney disease. Under this joint funding initiative, awards will be given to those whose research will help us drive forward our research strategy.
This award supports clinicians who have already achieved a higher degree. Kidney Research UK and MRC will co-fund successful applicants. The award will be offered in the tri-annual MRC clinician scientist funding rounds.
We offer joint funding opportunities with MRC administered through the clinical research training fellowship, clinician scientist fellowship and career development award schemes.
Successful applicants will also be able to attend Kidney Research UK’s annual Driving Discoveries event.
For further information about this award, contact:
Elaine Davies, Director of Research Operations
Email: elainedavies@kidneyresearchuk.org
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)
Founded in 1996 and now with about 17,500 members across the world, RCPCH trains and educates paediatricians throughout their careers to the highest professional standards.
It also promotes research and child health policy in the UK and worldwide.
Its mission is to transform child health through knowledge, innovation and expertise. Its vision is a healthier future for children and young people across the world.
The Children’s Research Fund has been established to grow child health research capacity in the UK and to reverse the decline in the number of paediatric academics and researchers.
We welcome applications from clinicians and non-clinical academics in any area of child health research.
We offer joint funding opportunities with the MRC administered through the clinical research training fellowship, clinician scientist fellowship and career development award schemes.
For further information on the charity and its work:
