Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowships 2027/28

Applications are now open for fellowships that provide valuable first-step funding for nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists wishing to embark on their academic career. We particularly encourage applications from staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBT+ colleagues, and those with a disability.

Both full-time and part-time Fellowships are available and are open to applicants working in any area of cancer practice.

This year, we are particularly interested in receiving applications with a focus around late effects of treatment or supportive oncology.

The Fellowship provides a valuable opportunity for nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists to build their research experience through up to 12 months of full-time or 24 months of part-time study. It is designed to develop research skills, strengthen academic profiles, and generate essential preliminary data to support future applications for an NIHR Clinical Research Fellowship or other research training programmes.

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed research aligns with the research and innovation priorities set out in the RM & ICR’s Joint Research Strategy, supporting our shared vision of delivering world-leading research that transforms care and improves outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer.

Application forms can be accessed below. Applicants must secure all required signatures prior to submission and before the application deadline. Applications that do not include the necessary approvals will not be considered for funding. Full details of the Fellowship scheme and application process can be found in the information sheet below.

Signed copies of your application must be submitted to Charity.Grants@rmh.nhs.uk by 12pm on 23 December 2026. Interviews will be held w/c 8 February 2027.

If you have any questions about the application, you can book a drop-in session. These will be held on 5 November 2026. 

• The first drop-in session will be from 9am – 10am. Please click here to join this first call. 
• The second drop-in session will be from 3pm - 4pm. Please click here to join this second call.

Please only join a call on the drop-in date and within the specified timeframes.

Any queries or requests for support should be directed to: Professor Susanne Cruickshank at Susanne.Cruickshank@rmh.nhs.uk, or the Charity Grants team at Charity.Grants@rmh.nhs.uk.

Please ensure you read the relevant information sheet via the link below before starting your application.