This funding opportunity, offered by the Medical Research Council (MRC), supports registered healthcare professionals with a PhD to reacquire research skills. It aims to enable clinicians to pursue a research career after a period working outside of research. The fellowship provides salary and project costs for three years, covering 80% of the full economic cost (FEC).

Who Can Apply

This fellowship is designed for individuals who are committed to re-establishing themselves in a research-focused career. Applicants must meet specific criteria to be eligible for consideration.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a registered healthcare professional.

• Hold a PhD.

• Have been working outside of research for usually five or more years.

• Demonstrate clear plans to pursue a research career and be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to undertake the fellowship.

This is an ongoing funding opportunity with application rounds closing every January, April, and September.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Staying aware of the critical dates is essential for a successful application. Note that the application must be submitted by the research office of the lead research organisation.

The key dates for this funding opportunity are:

The closing date for this round is 3 September 2025 at 4:00pm UK time. Applications cannot be submitted after this deadline. The opening date is 11 June 2025 9:00am UK time. Make sure to check and adhere to any internal deadlines set by your institution.

Funding Details and Scope

The fellowship provides comprehensive support for clinical researchers returning to academia. Funding covers both salary and project-related expenses.

The MRC will fund your salary and project costs for three years, covering 80% of the full economic cost (FEC). Joint funding opportunities with collaborating organizations may also be available. Your research can focus on any area within the Medical Research Council (MRC)’s remit.

This funding supports research across a broad spectrum of medical fields, allowing fellows to explore diverse and impactful research questions.

Application Process

The application process is conducted through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. Ensure your organization is registered on this platform before starting your application.

To apply, select ‘Start application’ on the Funding finder page. Confirm you are the fellow and sign in or create a Funding Service account. Complete all required sections, answering questions directly in the text boxes. Allow ample time to check your application before sending it to your research office for review and submission.

The fellow is responsible for completing the application, but all team members and project partners should contribute. Only the lead research organization can submit the application to UKRI.