SPCR Funding Opportunities
The School has several funding opportunities for those who want to start or continue their career in primary care research. Currently the School holds annual competitions for post-doctoral Fellowships, PhD Studentships and Primary Care Clinicians Career Progression Fellowships. Positions can be based at any of the 9 School members.
This competition is now open for applications
Your application should be submitted using our online application portal.
| Submission Deadline | 2 March 2026 13:00 |
| Interview invitations issued | Late April 2026 |
| Interviews |
Set by member department Must happen by 15 May 2026 |
| Applicants notified of outcome | 22 May 2026 |
| Awards start | No later than 1 October 2026 |
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) Post-Doctoral Fellowships support early-career researchers to develop as independent primary care scientists and future research leaders. These awards provide time, training, and support to develop an independent research trajectory, publish high-quality outputs, and prepare applications for future funding (for example, an NIHR Advanced Fellowship).
Fellowships are for 24 months and must be undertaken at a minimum 60% FTE. Awards are expected to begin by 1 October 2026. The SPCR has a contract end date of 31/03/2029 and all awards must end by 30/09/2028 to allow for final reporting.
Applicants do not need to be employed by an SPCR member to apply. However, all nine fellowships will be hosted within SPCR member departments, with one fellowship awarded per member.
Every applicant, whether currently based in a member department or not, must notify the relevant department’s research manager or training lead of their intention to apply. This is vital to ensure that local HR and costing procedures are followed.
Please note these awards are not intended to cover a clinical salary.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the SPCR team via spcr@keele.ac.uk
This competition is now open for applications
Your application should be submitted using our online application portal.
| Submission Deadline | 2 March 2026 13:00 |
| Interview invitations issued and unsuccessful applicants notified | 10 April 2026 |
| Interviews held (online) |
22 & 23 April 2026 |
| Applicants notified of outcome | By 28 April 2026 |
| Awards start | No later than 1 October 2026 |
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) offers Primary Care Clinical Fellowships to support the development of the primary care clinical workforce into academic primary care research careers.
These fellowships are designed to support early-career primary care research clinicians (pre- or post-doctoral) who demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in academic primary care.
Eligibility
Applications are welcomed from all primary care clinicians, including:
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Practice nurses
- Health visitors
- Dentists
- Primary care pharmacists
- Optometrists working in primary care
- Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)
Career Stage
- Early career research clinicians
- Pre-doctoral or post-doctoral
Fellowship Duration and Commitment
- Maximum duration: 24 months
- Maximum 0.6 FTE
- Start date: No later than 1 October 2026
The fellowships are intended to be flexible and supportive of clinical commitments.
Research Remit
All proposals must be compatible with the NIHR remit for personal awards: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/academy-nihr-remit-for-personal-awards/21380
In line with current SPCR priorities, your proposal should align with one or more of the three strategic shifts outlined in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.
Host Institutions
Fellowships may be undertaken at any of the nine SPCR member universities: University of Bristol, University of Exeter, Keele University, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Oxford, Queen Mary University of London, University of Southampton, University College London.
Applicants do not need to be employed by an SPCR member institution at the time of application.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the SPCR team via spcr@keele.ac.uk
- Post: Part-time Pharmacy Commercial Research Fellow, 0.2 FTE (one day per week)
- Duration: Fixed term up to 18 months, ending by 31st December 2027
- Salary: Academic clinical/research scale based on current salary (pro rata, capped at NHS banding 8b, or equivalent £74,896)
This NIHR SPCR-supported fellowship provides ringfenced time for UK-registered Pharmacy Professionals to develop expertise in developing pathways to support commercial research delivery and building collaborations that increase the quantity of commercial clinical trials in out-of-hospital settings. You will develop strong connections with national community pharmacy organisations, including the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), National Pharmacy Association (NPA), and Company Chemists’ Association (CCA). You will also work closely with the NIHR Research Delivery Network, NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centres, Clinical Trials Units, ICS/ICB partners, Primary Care Networks, and industry sponsors.
Successful candidates will be hosted at one of the nine SPCR member departments and have access to NIHR SPCR training resources and a supportive peer group. Fellows will gain valuable experience in commercial research, enhancing their career development. The role will include travel between sites and attendance at cohort meetings.
If you’re a Pharmacy Professional keen to shape the future of commercial research in primary care and community pharmacy, this fellowship offers a rare chance to work at the intersection of practice, research, and industry.
This position is now open for applications
Your application should be submitted using our online application portal.
| Applications Open | Tuesday 3 February 2026, 16:30 |
| Application Deadline | Tuesday 31 March 2026, 13:00 |
| Interview date(s) |
Late April 2026 TBC |
| Expected Start Date | From 1 June 2026 |
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the SPCR team via spcr@keele.ac.uk