In a move to inspire the next generation of health researchers, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is rolling out more than £33m of funding to universities across England so students and early career professionals can break into the profession.
The funding – £33.2m in total – is for the next three years and supports universities to deliver engagement programmes to tempt people into research careers, as well as research masters places to train newcomers. The funding comes as part of the NIHR’s INSIGHT programme.
"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,” said Professor Waljit Dhillo, dean of NIHR Academy.
"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.”
The places will be delivered across 12 regions, with the aim of building capacity up and down the country. Regional INSIGHT programmes will feature NHS trusts, universities and local authorities, although the lead organisations for each region will be:
- South London – King’s College London
- North East and North Cumbria – Northumbria University
- South Central – University of Southampton
- South East – University of Brighton
- South West Central – University of the West of England
- East Midlands – University of Nottingham
- East of England – University of Essex
- West Midlands – University of Birmingham
- North West – University of Central Lancashire
- North London – City, University of London
- South West Peninsula – University of Plymouth
- Yorkshire and Humber – University of Leeds
The programme will include workshops, networking opportunities, mentoring schemes, and showcase events. Ultimately, the programmes are designed to give research-hopefuls a platform of knowledge and experience to join the workforce and bolster nationwide capacity.
Both full-time and part-time research masters places are available, with the first cohort set to start next month.
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