We support doctoral and post-doctoral clinical academics in their career development to foster applied research expertise with a range of placements, mentoring and networking schemes.
Fellows have access to mentoring and networking opportunities with interdisciplinary researchers and multi-professional stakeholders across a range of contexts, as well as the chance to work with our patient and public contributors.
In the last period of our predecessor organisation, the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Researh (CLAHRC), we offered a competitive bridging scheme for six CLAHRC PhD students, early career fellows and clinical academic fellows. This aimed to facilitate opportunities for a continuous career path into research as NIHR Academy Members and Associates. This scheme enhanced support for researchers to have time to work on publications from their CLAHRC research and apply for further research funding. All those funded through the bridging scheme were successful in securing further funding for their research.
In order to establish a legacy and sustain applied health research awareness and activity, we created an Academy alumni community, including those who have attended our courses, to disseminate information about the CLAHRC, outputs, future training opportunities and events. Fellows have also played roles as ambassadors for the CLARHC and ARC within their professional networks. Fellows also contributed to training in the ARC, facilitating and delivering teaching on the short courses and supporting the ARC Early Career Researcher Network through network building. The network aims to create a supportive and inclusive space for researchers, students, health professionals and those working in applied health research.