Funding calls

NIHR Doctoral Award - cohort 3

This is a single-stage, doctoral-level funding opportunity. It supports early career researchers to undertake a PhD by research. 

The Doctoral Award is a 3-year training award designed to support the career development of all health and social care professionals through PhD research.

The award supports research in any scientific discipline or sector that contributes to improving health, including public health and social care, within our remit for personal career development awards. For local authority applicants, 20% of the award can be dedicated to practice time.

Application timeline:

• opening date for applications: Tuesday 21 April 2026

• closing date for applications: Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 1pm

*Remember, speak to us early to access support by completing our online contact form. 

Devolved administrations

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are not participating in Cohort 3, however, applicants from the devolved nations may apply for the Addictions Healthcare Goals programme partnership award.

NIHR Pre-Application Support Fund - cohort 9

The Pre-Application Support Fund offers extra support to prepare a competitive application for an NIHR career development award, with up to 12 months of flexible funding available. It is open to all career stages and offers extra support to those who need it. We normally expect funding through this award to last a minimum of 6 months.

This funding enhances the opportunities and support available to those who otherwise may not be able to apply for one of our career development awards. You can enhance your skills and knowledge through bespoke training, placements and mentorship.

Application timeline:

• opening date for applications: Tuesday 19 May 2026

• closing date for applications: Thursday 16 July 2026

• funding committee review period: August to September 2026

• funding committee decision: October 2026

• start dates: 1 January, 1 February, 1 March, 1 April 2027

*Remember, speak to us early to access support by completing our online contact form.

The NIHR Public Health Research Programme has the following funding calls open:

• PHR - Researcher-led

• PHR Commissioned - NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships (rolling)

• PHR Commissioned – NIHR NICE (rolling)

• Population Health Career Scientist Award (Round 6)

• Women’s health communication

• PHR Development Awards - women in the armed forces

• Housing, place and the built environment for an ageing population

• Active travel facilitators and barriers within different populations

• School readiness and the home learning environment

• Public Health Research Programme Rapid Funding Scheme

• Loneliness in the community

Remember, speak to us early to access support for NIHR Public Health Research Programme funding calls by completing our online contact form.

NIHR Fellowship personal awards and associated opportunities  

NIHR Academy have simplified the fellowship offering, which is moving from NIHR Fellowships, NIHR Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Fellowships and Local Authority Academic Fellowships (LAAF) awards to a single award application based on career stage: 

• predoctoral

• doctoral - currently open

• postdoctoral

We can help with your application, just fill in our online contact form. 

Find out more about research career funding opportunities.