Programme Information Personal Development Award

Personal Development Award Programme Guidance 2024-2026

Applications

Informal enquiries are encouraged. The application form should be submitted to Jane

Willcocks at jane.willcocks@nihr.ac.uk . If appropriate, where co-funding will occur, a

financial summary outlining the Clinical Research Network West Midlands (CRN WM)

and host institutions’ contributions should be included.

Background

The CRN WM is the largest Network and one of the 15 Clinical Research Networks in

England, covering a population size of 5.9 million.

Previous regional analyses identified a lack of Chief Investigators (CI) developing

research grants in the region and total number of CIs conducting National Institute for

Health Research Portfolio studies in the region falling substantially below the national

average.

Over the last three years we have run a highly successful CI development programme with

the Health and Care Research Scholars. This programme has demonstrated considerable

success with further data on the outcomes and outputs from the programme available

here. Although a number of these roles have been successfully filled by Nurses, Midwives,

Allied Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Health Scientists (NMAHPPS), we have also

identified that additional support may be required, especially for this group, who may not

have had previous experience as a local Principal Investigator (PI), nor access to research

support and training.

We have therefore instituted a two-year Personal Development Award (PDA) aimed

specifically at NMAHPPS. Priority will be given to applications that can assist in the

delivery of research in priority areas (both national and regional), and also those which

address the priorities set out in (Appendix 1-see below) underserved areas in (Appendix 2

-see below) and align with future strategic aims of the CRN WM set out in Progression

Plan themes.

This award may be used in a variety of ways, including funding time to take up PI or

associate PI opportunities to support recruitment to a local study and also prior to

applying for a future Clinical Research Scholarship. For example Health Education

England/NIHR Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellows (PCAF) programmes or NIHR

Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowships (CDRF). This Award, however, will not in itself fund

a higher degree such as PhD.

While the award itself will be tailored to the individual, the following will be provided for

all candidates:

1. Protected time: one day a week

2. Access to training programmes, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), clinical

research modules and courses, training in literature search and systematic review,

grant writing course, etc.

3. Opportunity to network and collaborate with other CRN funded fellows such as

PDA recipients and Health & Care Research Scholars through regular online

meetings.

Awards will be made for a maximum of 24 months, subject to meeting agreed milestones

that will be reviewed at 12 and 24 months.

Outputs ofthe Scholarship

● Experience and participation in CRN Portfolio studies (studies supported by the

CRN WM) and/or participation in social and public health research. This could

include being a local Principal Investigator or Associate PI on one or more CRN

Portfolio studies or working with a local research team on other research project

● Demonstrating ability to collaborate and work within a multi-disciplinary research

team. Evidence of raising awareness of research within their professional group

and unit

● Evidence of research leadership within their professional group and unit

● Dissemination of work, including presentation at a national or international

meeting and/or publication(s) in peer reviewed journals

● Where appropriate, application for:

○ Health and Care Research Scholarship

○ Grants

○ Higher degree (Masters or PhD)

Eligibility

Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals (NMAHPPS) employed by Partner NHS

Trusts within the West Midlands, working in Primary Care or Social Care settings.

In addition, written confirmation is required from the employing organisation to release

them from health and care services for the duration of the award and to return them to

operational duties if necessary.

Essential Selection Criteria

● Demonstrable enthusiasm and commitment to become involved in research and

NIHR Clinical Research Network Portfolio activity

● Clear career trajectory, i.e. demonstrate a clear link between the research training

proposed and suitability to achieve the next stage in the planned research and/or

academic career

Desirable Selection Criteria

● Experience and participation in NIHR Portfolio studies or participation in social

and public health care research or other non-portfolio research

● Demonstrate the potential to develop collaborations and to meet national and

regional research priorities (Appendix 1- see below)

● Projects and scholars developing projects which meet the needs of underserved

regional communities (Appendix 2-see below)

● Demonstrate the potential that your proposed project might contribute to the

Clinical Research West Midlands Progression Plan themes

● Demonstrable commitment and career progression in the chosen specialty

● Knowledge of health and social care research, clinical trials, research leadership

and NIHR Portfolio research delivery

● Presentation of work at a national or international meeting

● Publications in peer reviewed journals

● At application, additional qualifications e.g. MSc, or other post-graduate training

● Planning to apply for a Higher Degree (PhD/MD/DPhil) in a relevant subject area

Host

● The Department Director or Service Lead will be expected to support the

application and identify how the service gap will be filled. They will need to confirm

that backfill will be available to cover the sessions, and that, where necessary, the

successful candidate will be able to resume their clinical duties at the end of the

scholarship programme.

● Where appropriate co-funding will be considered

Timelines for New Personal Development Applications

● Mid December - Open call and advertise

● 31 January 2024 - Closing date

● 23 February 2024 - Shortlisting

● 10 and 11 April 2024 - Interviews