South-East Clinical Academic Partnership (SECAP)

Partnership Summary 

The South-East Clinical Academic Partnership (SECAP), led by the University of Oxford with Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), Kent & Medway Medical School (KMMS), University of Portsmouth and University of Southampton, is a regional scheme to support clinical academics at key post-doctoral “pinch points”. Building on a strong NIHR Integrated Academic Training (IAT) infrastructure and close linkage with the regional Deanery, SECAP combines mature biomedical discovery environments (Oxford, Southampton) with newer coastal and rural medical schools (KMMS, Portsmouth, BSMS) to widen access to discovery and early translational research within MRC remit. 

Two competitive award streams are available, funding around seven applicants per annum, aligned to MRC remit. Post-PhD Transition awards, for those within 6-months of PhD completion, and Research re-entry awards, for those who have had a break from research of 1 year or more. Both awards will provide 0.2FTE to 0.5FTE protected time, with structured mentorship, refresher and upskilling opportunities, and the opportunity to apply for small consumables grants. Awardees will have the opportunity to undertake short exchanges across partner organisations, quarterly networking and cohort-building activities, targeted grant-writing training, flexible travel allowances, research design clinics, and assured delivery of funded research time via job-plan addenda. Matched funding may be available to eligible candidates.

The scheme aims to help awardees establish a trajectory towards independent research funding, and support clinicians across the South-East region to remain research active.

For both awards (Post-PhD Transition and Research Re-entry), the following support is available (full details on the scheme guidance page):

• Salary costs to secure between 0.2 and 0.5 WTE protected research time (a proportion of this time can be allocated to research assistant support).

• Research costs of up to £20,000, where appropriately justified.

• Mentorship and Career Development: All awardees will receive a named mentor, project supervisor, personalised development plan support, peer support opportunities.

• Training Opportunities: Awardees will have access to training around the areas of grant-writing, research design, statistics and data science, experimental methods, research integrity and ethics, research leadership.

• Networking and Collaboration: SECAP awardees will participate in quarterly networking events, writing groups, mock interviews, regional showcase events, cross-institution research visits and exchanges. 

• Travel and Caring Support: A flexible travel allowance of up to £1,000 per awardee is available to support attendance at SECAP events, cross-partnership visits, training opportunities, caring-related costs that facilitate participation.

Who can apply

All applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral level qualification. Applicants should be 

Applications are expected from:

• Medical doctors.

• Dentists.

• Registered Health and Care Professionals (HCPs).

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A clear commitment to clinical academic development.

• Support from their host organisation.

• Alignment with the objectives of the scheme.

• Research activity within the MRC remit. 

Application Process

Applications should be submitted via the online form HERE. There will initially be two application rounds (2026 and late 2027). Early applications are encouraged, future rounds of funding may be held if there are funds available. Applications will be assessed by a multidisciplinary panel, who are supporting the scheme. Successful applicants will be invited to attend ongoing network meetings and the end-of-programme celebration event.

Dates associated with each round of funding:

INTERVIEWS FOR ROUND 1 WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY 20th NOVEMBER, 2026