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NIHR Senior Research Leader Programme for nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals

An opportunity with the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR)

FAO: Nurses Midwives and Allied Health Professionals

The Senior Research Leader Programme (SRL) supports nurses, midwives, and from August 2025, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in England to grow as research leaders and drive improvements in health and social care through research. 

You can apply for funding to take part in this 3-year programme, which allows protected time for research for 2 days a week. 

The programme is open to registered nurses and midwives and AHPs working in England with experience in research leadership in health or social care at a local and/or regional level. 

Who can apply? 

  • nurses, midwives or AHPs in England (see the NHS England list of AHP professions)
  • you should be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council, Health and Care Professions Council or the General Osteopathic Council
  • experienced in senior research leadership in health or social care at a local and/or regional level, leading research initiatives and connecting with others at an organisational level
  • employed by an institution delivering services funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England (please see employment criteria below) 

You will also need to ensure your employer will support you to be on the programme for 2 days (0.4 WTE) a week over 3 years. 

 

Research capability and capacity building at work should account for less than 50% of your current job role.

 

How to apply

Applications will open on: 
03 September 2025 

And closes on:
22 October 2025.

Decisions by the end of January 2026.

Any questions, please contact:
srl@nihr.ac.uk