New opportunities: Help shape a more inclusive future for mental health care

01 Oct 2024

Could you help shape mental health care that works for all?

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North Thames Mental Health Research for All programme is excited to announce that we are offering part-time career development fellowships, running for twelve months starting in March 2025.

The fellowships enable you to develop a proposal for a PhD or project funding in any area of mental health research (aside from dementia, which is being funded separately).   

There are two opportunities:

  • All-staff career development fellowships for mental health and care professionals across the North Thames region (click here for North Thames region), with a priority given to including those working in East London and Essex
  • Peer Support Worker career development fellowships for colleagues working in peer support/coaching or lived experience roles across England

The 12 month fellowships provide you with:

  • bespoke training to build your research skills
  • protected time to work on a research idea or programme
  • a mentor to support your knowledge and development
  • support from our growing community of alumni and collaborators

These opportunities are open to anyone working in or with mental health services, including staff from NHS Trusts, local government, public health, social care or community care organisations, charities and the voluntary sector.   

We are particularly keen for applications from staff from often overlooked communities and those in roles in mental health and social care with limited opportunities to engage in research.  We are also keen to support applicants with non-linear professional journeys keen to expand their research career opportunities. Research experience or qualifications may be beneficial but are not a requirement for applying. 

 

About the programmeFunded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), our Mental Health Research for All (MH-ALL) programme seeks to improve research opportunities for allied health and community staff, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds.

MH-ALL has run for three years already, and so far the programme has featured:

  • 35 funded internship and research opportunities
  • Bespoke training on how to conduct research
  • Support and mentorship along the way
  • A people's panel and living experience advisory group helping shape the programme
  • A budding network of 165+ alumni members
Professor Peter Fonagy and Dr Jenny Shand, who co-lead the MH-ALL programme, said: “MH-ALL has reached parts of our health system that many earlier initiatives have not. We are delighted to have secured funding to support a further cohort of fellows. Building inclusive and accessible paths into research is essential for creating diverse participation and ensuring research is relevant and grounded in what matters most to those it hopes to benefit.” 

 

About the opportunities

How it works:  

  • You will be supported to develop your research idea  
  • Your salary will be covered to support the time spent on the fellowship (so if you spend two days in the fellowship the funding will cover your salary for two days a week) 
  • You will be connected to an experienced researcher for topic/methods tailored support 
  • You will be matched with an early career researcher mentor You will receive additional training and career development 

What you'll gain:  

  • Funded protected time out from your current role to develop and prepare your research outputs  
  • Support to identify relevant sources of research funding and understanding of how to apply
  • A research network to support your next steps  
  • Help to establish your research career  
  • Co-produced and tailored training and development through the NIHR ARC North Thames Academy

What you will need to do:  

  • Secure an in-principle agreement of your line manager/supervisor to apply and take part 
  • Ensure they will ringfence the funded time on the fellowship and the required training days  
  • Provide details of the research idea you would like to develop for a PhD or other proposal

For the all-staff fellowships we are prioritising applications from people working in mental health in East London and Essex. For the ‘peer support worker’ fellowships we are accepting applications from the whole of England. 

 

Read about the experiences of previous fellows

 

How to apply

Steps to apply: 

  1. A completed application form [Word Document], and
  2. A 2-page CV - you can use this template [Word Document]

Key dates:  

  • Applications open 1 October 2024 
  • Applications close 25 November 2024 at 1pm 

Application support available to all applicants:  

The selection process

  • Candidates may be invited for informal conversations/clarifications in the week commencing December 2nd  
  • Candidates will be informed by December 13th  
  • Fellowship starts March 3rd  

 

 

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