Deadline: June 23, 2026
Applications are open for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Doctoral Award 2026. This is a single-stage, doctoral-level funding opportunity. It supports early career researchers to undertake a PhD by research.
The Doctoral Award is a 3-year training award designed to support the career development of all health and social care professionals through PhD research. The award supports research in any scientific discipline or sector that contributes to improving health, including public health and social care, within the remit for personal career development awards.
Benefits
The Doctoral Award provides comprehensive funding to support you in undertaking a PhD by research.
Funding covers:
- the full salary of the award holder for the entire duration of the fellowship at the requested FTE. This includes the employer’s contribution to National Insurance and superannuation
- costs for the approved research project
- associated conference fees up to £3,000
- costs for a suitable training and development plan which will lead to further professional development
- working with people and communities costs
- laptop or computer costs up to £1,000
Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- have prior research experience or training to prepare for a PhD and not already hold a PhD by research.
- propose substantive employment with a recognised higher education institution (HEI), NHS body, local authority, or other publicly or third-sector funded health or social care provider in England.
- if you are applying to the Addictions Healthcare Goals Programme partnership award, you must have an equivalent UK-wide contracting organisation in the devolved nations.
- if you plan to undertake clinical/practice time as part of your award, or your host organisation is not a HEI, a partner organisation must be listed in the application. If this is omitted, your application will not be eligible.
- if already registered for a PhD, you must not have been enrolled for more than 12 months full-time by the award start date.
- your proposed research must be within our remit for personal career development awards.
It is no longer a formal requirement to have a 1st class or 2:1, or equivalent, degree to apply for this scheme. It is at the discretion of the awarding PhD institution to ensure that the applicant has suitable qualifications to undertake a PhD by research.
Application
Application deadline is 23 June 2026 at 1:00pm. If your application is successful, they will review your budget in line with the funding committee’s recommendations and conditions to ensure value for money and alignment with NIHR requirements.
For more information, visit NIHR Doctoral Award.
