Non-medical clinical academic training opportunities
Helping you on your journey to become a Clinical Academic
The University of Nottingham was awarded the tender to run the Pre-Doctoral and the Post-Doctoral Bridging Programmes in the East Midlands for 5 years (2019-2024). These programmes have now been extended for one year. Sucessful applicants will be known as "Fellows".
The University of Lincoln will continue to manage the Internship programme for another year. Sucessful applicants will be known as "Scholars".
CALL OPEN for NHS England/NIHR 2025 Bridging Awards Applications - DEADLINE 30 Nov 2024 - Programmes start March 2025
NHS England/NIHR is excited to offer five places to the East Midlands for the Pre-Doctoral Bridging Programme (formerly Silver Scholar Award) for NHS Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Chiropractors, Clinical Psychologists, Healthcare Scientists, Health Visitors, Social Care Workers, Operating Department Practitioners, Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians, Osteopaths, Pharmacy Professions, Non-Medical Public Health Specialty Trainees, Specialists and Consultants and Wider Dental Team Professions, registered in the East Midlands.
NHS England/NIHR is excited to offer two places to the East Midlands for the Post-Doctoral Bridging Programme (formerly Gold Scholar Award).
If you would like to be added to our contact list please email patricia.dziunka@nottingham.ac.uk
Who should apply?
Pre-Doctoral Bridging Programme applications are invited from clinicians in the East Midlands area who have completed a master degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification and are looking to further develop their clinical academic.
This programme will provide the opportunity to prepare a PhD proposal in order to take the next step on the individuals’ clinical academic career journey.
Those without a masters degree might be interested in the Internship Programme (formerly Bronze Award) managed by University of Lincoln. See https://mhredtest.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/ for further details
Post-Doctoral Bridging Programme applications are invited from clinicians in the East Midlands area who have been awarded a PhD. Applicants require support from an East Midlands’ based NHS/ Social Care organisation (or organisation delivering NHS/Social funded care) AND an East Midlands’ based higher education institution (HEI), and should propose to divide their time equally between their clinical and academic commitments. The end goal (an Advanced Clinical Fellowship or other/equivalent funding award) should enable the individual to make a significant contribution to clinical practice whilst supporting their development as a clinical academic leader. Please see Guidance Notes for further details.
Why apply?
As a Pre-Doctoral Bridging Programme Fellow holder, you will:
- Be taken through an individualised, structured development plan based on a training needs assessment
- Enhance your ability to compete successfully for the next stage of the Clinical Academic Pathway, such as a PhD
Centre for Doctoral Training in Rehabilitation and Healthcare Research (CDT RHR)
As a Pre-Doctoral Bridging Programme Fellow at Nottingham, you will be working alongside our clinical PhD students in the Centre for Doctoral Training in Rehabilitation and Healthcare Research (CDT-RHR) and mentored by leading academics in East Midlands to develop your PhD proposal and apply for PhD funding.
Videos: Researchers' stories
Lisa is an occupational therapist was a Health Education England (East Midlands) Clinical Academic Bronze award holder who has gone on to secure her PhD studies at the University of Nottingham.
Aspiring Clinical Academics
The University of Nottingham is pleased to host a comprehensive Clinical Academic Training Pathway for non-medical health care professionals hoping to pursue a clinical academic career – no matter what stage in your career!
We host the NHS England/NIHR East Midlands Pre and Post- Doctoral Bridging Programmes and the Centre for Doctoral Training in Rehabilitation and Healthcare Research, we can support you in applying for NIHR pre-doctoral, post-doctoral and career development fellowships.
To discuss these opportunities please email kate.radford@nottingham.ac.uk or claire.diver@nottingham.ac.uk, or visit the Centre for Doctoral Training in Rehabilitation and Healthcare Research.