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NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship: Developing an Application

NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowships are designed to support people who are looking to start or advance a career in health research methodology, specifically in one of the following areas:

  • medical statistics
  • health economics
  • clinical trial design
  • operational research
  • modelling
  • bioinformatics
  • qualitative research
  • mixed methods
  • epidemiology

Applicants without a Masters degree should use the Fellowship to undertake a Masters degree in one of the areas listed. Those holding Masters degree (or currently completing one) should use the Fellowship to gain additional support and training to advance to the next level of their career. The Fellowship can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis.

What does a NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship provide funding for?

  • Salary costs throughout the duration of your fellowship
  • Full UK Masters Fees to undertake a relevant Master’s degree as part of your development plan
  • Training costs up to £5000
  • Conference fees up to £1000
  • £1000 supervision costs

Maria Bryant

"Getting my NIHR fellowship was a game changer for me. It allowed me to have dedicated time to focus on my area of interest, while building my profile and establishing myself as an independent leader in my field. The process is not an easy one, so I would receommend that anyone considering an application starts early (at least 7 months before the deadline) and seeks support from as many people as possible."

Dr Maria Bryant, Reader in Public Health Nutrition

How do I apply?

Applications open annually in late January/February to start from September the same year to March the following year. Exact dates are available close to the time of opening. The NIHR Fellowship Programme website contains useful information regarding eligibility criteria, guidance notes, potential supervisors, and more! 

Things to consider when writing your application

  • What do I want to do with the Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, and how will these activities support a future Doctoral Fellowship application?
  • Who would be best to provide supervision?
  • What training would I benefit from?
  • What conference would I like to attend?
  • Who do I want to collaborate with?
  • How long do I want my Fellowship to be for?
  • How do I make myself stand out from other applicants?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BVUB2N6Iik

Tips

  • Follow the guidance notes
  • Sell yourself! There is no interview as part of the application process
  • Give yourself plenty of time to develop, review and amend your application
  • Speak to other successful applicants about their experiences
  • Ask other people to review your application
  • Your application will need support from many other people (such as finance, Head of Department etc.). Contact them with plenty of time to develop these sections of your application

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6S6dR40fn0

 

"The NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship has been a great opportunity to undertake training that I would not have been able to otherwise. It has also given me the time and support to begin preparing a doctoral application."

Andrew Mott, Research Fellow, York Trials Unit