Research internships & bridging awards open to health & care professionals

  • March 13th 2024

The South West NHSE-NIHR integrated clinical and practitioner academic (ICA) programme awards are now open for applications for Spring 2024.

The programme, funded by both the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and National Health Service England (NHSE), is championed by higher education institution (HEI) and clinical academics across the South West. There are key contacts in HEIs across the region that you can contact for advice and support:

The programme is intended to increase research capacity to improve health and healthcare, by developing people with the potential and aspiration to become leading clinical academics and independent researchers in the future.

It is open to registered health and social care professionals including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and other non-medical healthcare professionals with ICA approved regulatory bodies. The programme is suitable for clinicians and practitioners who wish to develop careers that combine research and research leadership along with continued practice and professional development.

These awards provide short-term support for those in the South West aspiring to develop a clinical academic career and apply for national awards. There are three levels of awards available:

  • Internship award – for individuals who have little research experience or training and would like to develop their knowledge and understanding of research, develop some practical skills, and/or develop a project idea with supervisory guidance and support.
    Internship Guidance Notes and Internship Application form
  • Pre-doctoral bridging award – for individuals with some research experience and are developing their research profile, have completed Masters level research training and aspire to gain funding to undertake doctoral research training.
    Pre-doctoral Guidance Notes and Pre-doctoral Application form
  • Post-doctoral bridging award – for individuals who have completed or will have submitted their thesis at the time of application, are looking to undertake post-doctoral research and build towards applying for a post-doctoral level fellowship such as the NHSE-NIHR Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship.
    Post-doctoral Guidance Notes and Post-doctoral Application form

The closing date and time for submission of applications is midday, Tuesday 21st May 2024. Applications should be submitted to SW.ICAP@nihr.ac.uk.

For any queries about the awards, please contact SW.ICAP@nihr.ac.uk.

Online Promotion Event
25th March 2024, 1pm 

To attend an online session to introduce the South West ICA awards and have the opportunity to ask questions please contact SW.ICAP@nihr.ac.uk.