Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), Pharmacists and Healthcare Scientists
If you're an Allied Health Professional (AHP), pharmacist or healthcare scientist interested in research, we can help you develop your skills and signpost to information that can help.
Published research
Search our research evidence for research findings and information about the projects we have funded to improve your ways of working.
First steps in research
Explore the following courses and qualifications:
Become a Research Delivery Leader: Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework
This Master's level qualification will help you gain the networks, skills and confidence to lead and support clinical research delivery.
Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework
Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme
The Associate PI Scheme is a six month in-work training opportunity to provide practical experience to start a research career.
Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme
e-Learning for pharmacists
Improve your research awareness and skills if you're a pharmacist or pharmacy technician new to research with our e-learning modules on NIHR Learn:
Local learning and development
Find out about local training in your area through our Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs). There are 15 networks across England.
If you’re logged into NIHR Learn, look out for ‘Locally delivered learning’ to find local courses and learning events.
Which research training programme is right for you?
We offer a range of research training awards for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), pharmacists and healthcare scientists.
Your professional background, setting and how you wish to balance your academic career will determine which programme is best for you.
Most programmes are available from Master's level to post-doctoral.
Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme
For those wishing to combine research with clinical practice, and develop a clinical academic career.
Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic Programme
Fellowships Programme
This programme offers flexibility for clinical time, while focusing on an academic career.
More information
For advice on which scheme is right for you, speak to a member of the team at 0113 532 8444 or academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk
Other awards to help your academic research career
We provide a number of schemes to help you along your academic career path.
Pre-Application Support Fund
Gain extra support to enhance your chance of making a successful application to an NIHR career development scheme in the future. It will open for applications on 23 January 2024. In the meantime, find out more:
Pre-Application Support Fund guidance notes from round 1
Development and Skills Enhancement Award
This post-doctoral level award supports researchers to gain specific skills and experience over 12 months to underpin the next phase of their career.
Development and Skills Enhancement Award
Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award
A flexible, postdoctoral award, which provides funding for up to 5 years to focus on a broad range of research activities to support career development.
More information
For advice on which scheme is right for you, speak to a member of the team at 0113 532 8444 or academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk
AHP Research Champions
Our AHP Research Champions are part of an ever expanding community of role models and research activists who are promoting the work of AHPs in research and encouraging AHPs to get involved.
Email ahps@nihr.ac.uk to find out more and to get involved.
Case studies
My pathway from physiotherapist to clinical academic fellow
Children’s physiotherapist Adam Galloway shares how he first made the move into a clinical academic career and reveals insights into his journey as aNIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow.
Finding the balance of a clinical academic research career
A lead clinical physiotherapist provides insight into her path in research - including being the first Allied Health Professional (AHP) in her organisation to be awarded theHEE/NIHR Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship.
More information
Research and Innovation Strategy for England
Allied Health Professions’ Research and Innovation Strategy for England
Latest news and developments
Follow: #AHPsInResearch on Twitter / X