Joint MRC / Vivensa Foundation Professional Doctorate: Clinical research training fellowship

Introduction

We are collaborating with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to jointly fund their Professional Doctorate clinical research training fellowship scheme which provides registered healthcare professionals with funding to undertake a PhD.

Each year, up to one clinical research training fellowship will be awarded jointly by the Vivensa Foundation and MRC.

You must:

• be a registered healthcare professional
• be at an appropriate point in your training to undertake a PhD
• show plans to pursue a research career

The scheme will fund your salary and project costs for three years and will fund 100% of the justified costs.

This is an ongoing funding opportunity. Application rounds close every January, April and September.

The details above have been summarised from the guidance given to us by the MRC, so please do visit the UKRI website for the latest information regarding this opportunity.

What will we fund?

In general, applications are welcomed from across all areas of MRC’s remit to improve human health.

This may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease, to translational and developmental clinical research.

It is expected that your clinical work will help to inform and strengthen your research work.

MRC’s science areas include:

• infections and immunity
• molecular and cellular medicine
• population and systems medicine
• neurosciences and mental health
• translation
• global health
• methodology
• public health

Explore MRC’s areas of scientific remit.

To be considered for joint funding from Vivensa Foundation, applications must also address one or more of the priority research themes outlined on page 22 of our 2025-30 strategic framework.

Applications which include interdisciplinary approaches are welcomed.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you’re a registered healthcare professional. This includes, but is not limited to:

• nurses
• midwives
• allied health professionals
• healthcare scientists
• pharmacists
• clinical psychologists
• doctors
• dentists
• general practitioners
• veterinarians

To be eligible for this funding opportunity you must:

• be able to demonstrate ownership of your project and show ambition to follow a clinical academic career
• be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to study for a PhD, with clear plans for completing your speciality training
• want to request a minimum of 24 months funding full-time equivalent to complete your PhD
• have the support of an eligible research organisation
• intend to be clinically active during or after the award

You do not need to have registered for a PhD at the time of your fellowship application.

If you have spent significantly more time than one year on your PhD course, your application will be considered only in exceptional circumstances and you should contact fellows@mrc.ukri.org   

You do not need to have held a position that includes formal research time, for example, an academic foundation or an academic clinical fellowship.

The details above have been summarised from the guidance given to us by the MRC, so please do visit the UKRI website for the latest information regarding eligibility.

How much is available?

Broadly, the Fellowship provides funding for salaries and project costs for up to 3 years. For full details and guidance regarding funding and eligible costs please refer to the UKRI website alternatively, email fellows@mrc.ukri.org

Timetable and deadlines

The timetable for applications submitted by September 2026 is as follows:

• 10 June 2026 (9am) – the call is open to applications
• 2 September 2026 (4pm) – deadline for application submission
• February 2027 – shortlisting decision meeting
• 17-18 March 2027 – interviews / funding decision meeting
• Applicants will be informed of funding decision within 10 working days of funding decision meeting

The timetable for applications submitted by January 2027 is as follows:

• 21 October 2026 (9am) – the call is open to applications
• 13 January 2027 (4pm) – deadline for application submission
• May 2027 – shortlisting decision meeting
• July 2027 – interviews / funding decision meeting
• Applicants will be informed of funding decision within 10 working days of funding decision meeting

The timetable for applications submitted by April 2027 is as follows:

• 14 January 2027 (9am) – the call is open to applications
• 7 April 2027 (4pm) – deadline for application submission
• October 2027 – shortlisting decision meeting
• November 2027 – interviews / funding decision meeting
• Applicants will be informed of funding decision within 10 working days of funding decision meeting

The timetable for applications submitted by September 2027 is as follows:

• 10 June 2027 (9am) – the call is open to applications
• 2 September 2027 (4pm) – deadline for application submission
• February 2028 – shortlisting decision meeting
• March 2028 – interviews / funding decision meeting
• Applicants will be informed of funding decision within 10 working days of funding decision meeting

Call documentation

• The latest documentation relating to this call can be found on UKRI’s website

Further information and how to apply

For further information and to apply, please see UKRI’s website.

Please email any queries relating to the scheme to MRC or if you have specific queries relating to joint funding by the Vivensa Foundation, feel free to contact grants@vivensafoundation.org.uk.