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Please see FAQs and responses below.
If you have any further questions, please ask them using the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Eligibility and Application
Do I need to go Out of Programme (OOP) to take up the award?
No. Clinical trainees are expected to undertake the award by working Less Than Full Time (LTFT) rather than going Out of Programme. Applicants should discuss plans with their Training Programme Director and Head of School before applying.
Will support from my employer be required?
Yes. Applicants should obtain support from their employer, Training Programme Director, Head of School, or equivalent. The support letter should confirm awareness of the proposed arrangement and support for the applicant undertaking the award.
What should I do if I am not currently clinically employed?
Applicants who are not currently clinically employed may submit a support letter from their university department or host institution. It is advisable to explain current circumstances and how the award will support progression towards a future clinical academic career.
Are NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturers (ACLs) eligible to apply?
An ACL post would normally be considered a clinical academic role. Applicants should consider whether they meet the eligibility requirements for either the Post-PhD or Research Re-entry stream based on their individual circumstances.
Are Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) eligible?
An ACF post would normally be considered a clinical academic role. Applicants should consider whether they meet the eligibility criteria for either the Post-PhD or Research Re-entry stream based on their individual circumstances.
Are applicants with a Master's degree eligible?
No. Applicants must hold a doctoral-level qualification such as a PhD, MD, DM, or equivalent. An MSc alone does not meet the eligibility criteria.
Is an MD, DM or equivalent doctoral qualification accepted?
Yes. MD, DM and other equivalent doctoral qualifications are considered eligible doctoral-level qualifications.
Do the Post-PhD timing requirements apply across all professions?
Yes. The criteria apply to all eligible professional groups, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals.
Post-PhD Transition Award
How long after completing my PhD can I apply?
Applicants can apply within six months of submitting their PhD (or equivalent doctoral qualification). Awards can be made subject to PhD award being confirmed.
What if my viva or degree award date falls shortly after the application deadline?
Applications may still be considered where submission has occurred and the viva or formal award is imminent. Applicants are encouraged to explain their circumstances within their application.
What if I am slightly outside the six-month Post-PhD eligibility window?
The six-month criterion is intended to identify individuals making an immediate transition from doctoral research to the next stage of their clinical academic career. However, applicants with exceptional circumstances may still wish to contact the scheme team for advice.
What if I am already working part-time in an academic role?
The Post-PhD Transition Award is intended to support researchers who would otherwise risk losing research momentum following completion of their doctorate. Applicants should demonstrate how the award will support progression towards the next stage of a clinical academic career.
Research Re-entry Award
Is there a maximum length of research career break?
No. There is no upper limit on the length of time someone may have been away from research. Applicants must demonstrate a credible plan for returning to and progressing within clinical academia.
Is there a minimum period away from research?
Yes. Applicants must normally have been away from research for at least 12 months and predominantly undertaking clinical work (or another eligible career break circumstance) before applying. This is the minimum requirement for the Research Re-entry stream.
If I am already in a clinical academic role, am I eligible for the Research Re-entry Award?
The scheme is intended to support people returning to clinical academic activity after time away from research. Individuals already holding established clinical academic posts would not normally be the target group for this funding.
Can allied health professionals apply to the Research Re-entry Award?
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and hold a doctoral qualification. Applicants should demonstrate how the award will support re-establishing a clinical academic career following a period focused on clinical practice or other non-research activity.
Funding and Award Structure
How long can the award last?
Awards can be held for between 6 and 12 months.
How much protected research time can I request?
Applicants can request between 0.2 and 0.5 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) protected research time.
What does the funding cover?
The award primarily funds salary support and protected research time. Applicants may also request:
Up to £20,000 per year in research consumables funding
Funding for networking and mobility activities across the SECAP region
Do I need to submit institutional budget approval or finance letters?
No additional finance approval letter is normally required as funding arrangements have already been agreed between the SECAP partner institutions.
Can consumables funding support a full research project?
No. Consumables funding is intended to support pilot work, publications, collaborations, and preparation of future funding applications, rather than a large standalone research project.
Is there funding available for networking and collaboration?
Yes. Funding is available to support networking, mobility activities, and collaboration across SECAP partner institutions.
Host Institutions and Research Environment
Does my mentor or research group need to be based within the SECAP region?
Yes. The host institution and primary research environment must be within one of the SECAP partner organisations, although collaborations with researchers outside the region are welcomed.
Can I apply if there is no established research group in my specialty at my local SECAP institution?
Yes. Applicants may build collaborations with appropriate research groups at other SECAP partner institutions while holding the award at an eligible SECAP host organisation.
Award Start Dates and Timescales
When are successful applicants expected to start?
The initial expectation is that successful applicants will begin their award around March following notification, allowing time for employers and organisations to make necessary arrangements.
Can I start earlier than the anticipated start date?
Yes. Earlier start dates may be possible where personal circumstances and organisational arrangements allow.
Will there be future funding rounds?
A further call is planned next year under the current funding arrangements. Longer-term continuation of the scheme will depend on the outcome of the wider MRC pilot programme evaluation.
Webinar and Further Information
When will the application form be available?
The application form will be published via the SECAP website. Applicants should check the website regularly for updates.
Will a recording of the webinar be available?
Yes. Webinar recordings will be made available on the SECAP website.
How can I ask additional questions?
Questions can be submitted through the SECAP website contact form and will be directed to the appropriate team member or partner institution.
Will webinar questions be published?
Yes. Questions raised during webinars are collated, anonymised, and added to the Frequently Asked Questions section of the SECAP website to support future applicants.
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