Early independence: clinician scientist fellowship Grant

Early independence: clinician scientist fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Medical Research Council (MCR)
Last Updated: March 12, 2026

Summary

The Lady Edith Wolfson Fellowship programme, in collaboration with the MND Association and the Medical Research Council, aims to cultivate future scientific leaders in motor neurone disease (MND) research. This initiative supports clinicians in establishing their own research teams and pursuing independent research. With a focus on improving human health, the fellowship encourages interdisciplinary approaches, covering a broad range of scientific domains, including global health and methodology. It provides competitive salaries and funding for essential research activities.

Overview

Clinical Scientist Fellowships Scope The aim of the fellowship is to support talented clinically active researchers who have gained a higher research degree and have evidence of career consolidation and productivity across past appointments to: lead their own research plans to establish their own research nichestart to build their own research teammake the first step-change towards independenceWe welcome applications from across all areas of our remit to improve human health. This may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease, totranslational and developmental clinical research. We expect your clinical work will help to inform and strengthen your research work. Our science areas include: infections and immunitymolecular and cellular medicinepopulation and systems medicineneurosciences and mental healthtranslationglobal health researchmethodologypublic health Please note that global health research should align with MRC’s core remit spanning from biomedical discovery research to early translational research. Normally fellowships would not be suitable route to establish longitudinal population studies (LPS). Additionally, until further notice, MRC will only accept applications for core infrastructure support for existing LPS with previous MRC support. What the fellowship gives you This fellowship provides a competitive salary, giving you the chance to concentrate fully on your research, training and development. You may: spend up to six hours a week (pro rated for part-time fellowships) on other commitments such as teaching, demonstrating, or other funded projectsundertake up to two clinical sessions a week Duration The clinician scientist fellowship provides support for up to five years. We expect you to take advantage of the full five years’ funding available. However, we understand that plans for the later stages of a fellowship will not be as defined as the initial years.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Apply for support to become an independent researcher in a medical research field.Your research can focus on any area of MRC’s remit to improve human health.You must:be a registered healthcare professionalhave a PhD or equivalentshow evidence of career developmentshow clear plans for developing as a leader in your fieldhave the support of an eligible research organisationYou also must be able to identify at least one sponsor, who:is a senior member of the department where you are applying to host your fellowshipacts as a supporter for the application and the fellowship (they do not have a supervisory role)has expertise in the research area and acts as guarantor for the quality of the proposed work, suitability of you as a fellowship candidate and the quality of training and development you will receiveadditional sponsors can be named if necessary to support all areas of the proposed work and may be from other organisationsEligible professionsYou can apply if you’re a registered healthcare professional. This includes, but is not limited to:nursesmidwivesallied health professionalshealthcare scientistspharmacistsclinical psychologistsdoctorsdentistsgeneral practitionersveterinariansInternational applicantsApplications are welcomed from applicants of all nationalities, including those not currently based in the UK.This is subject to the fellowship being hosted by an eligible research organisation.You will need to be registered with a regulatory body, such as the General Medical Council or the Health and Care Professions Council or have plans in place to hold the required registration by the proposed award start date.What we will fundThe clinician scientist fellowship award will cover the full cost of your salary.The fellowship will also provide funding for:support for other posts such as research and technical staffresearch consumablesequipmenttravel coststraining activitiesdata preservation, data sharing and dissemination costsestates and indirect costsNHS research costs, when they are associated with NHS studiesThis award will also support a period of research overseas, at a second UK institution or within industry, whichever is most appropriate.

Ineligibility

You are not eligible to apply if:you have applied for an MRC fellowship within the last year or twice beforeyou have applied for another UKRI fellowship of the same type or an MRC new investigator award and your application is being assessedyou have part of the fellowship project as a grant application with any organisation and your application is being assessedyou are the project lead on a UKRI grant application and it is being assessedyou have been awarded a comparable fellowship supporting early independence or a new investigator award from any organisationyou have secured grants as a project lead, that include support for and leading of research staff such as postdoctoral research associates as this would indicate you have already made the step-change to independenceyou are not planning to be based at an eligible UK organisation for your fellowship