Academic training pathways – IAT/ICA
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, the NIHR offers a comprehensive range of pathways. The Health & Care Research Training Hub is the go-to place in Sussex for accessing guidance, advice and support on these pathways.
These pathways can be accessed at any stage of the programme, and at any point in your career if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme
The IAT Programme at BSMS combines research and clinical practice, providing a platform for Medical Doctors to advance their academic careers. Tailored for those passionate about merging academia with hands-on clinical experience, this program offers a structured pathway encompassing postgraduate research, clinical training, and professional development.
BSMS currently hosts 20 Academic Clinical Fellows and three Clinical Lecturers across several specialities, with a strong focus on Infectious Diseases and Neuroscience.
The Research Training Hub provides dedicated guidance and support throughout to all trainees on their journey through the IAT Programme. All BSMS Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) and Clinical Lecturers (CLs) will receive a comprehensive induction pack to help them make the most of their time at BSMS. You can download the Autumn 2024 Induction Pack by clicking the link below.
Download the pack here >
2025 NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow posts – apply now!
We are delighted to announce upcoming opportunities for 5 new Academic Clinical Fellow positions to start in August 2025. Applications for these posts are now open. Please follow the links below for the Oriel adverts and more details on each post:
Intensive Care Medicine >
Infectious Diseases >
Haematology >
General Psychiatry >
Genito-urinary Medicine >
The IAT programme at BSMS is accessible for junior doctors undertaking specialty or core training or working in general practice.
Please contact us at iat@bsms.ac.uk if you have any questions about this, or would like to talk to meet with a member of our team.
Please see below for more information about each of the IAT posts:
Academic Clinical Fellowship
The NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) is a clinical specialty training that includes academic training. These posts typically last for 3 years and include 75% of the time spent in specialist clinical training and 25% of the time spent on research.
Clinical Lectureship
The NIHR Clinical Lectureship (CL) is a post-doctoral award that provides a clinical and academic training environment. These posts typically last 4 years (or until the completion of clinical training) and include 50% of the time spent in specialist clinical training and 50% of the time spent on research.
Integrated Clinical & Practitioner Academic Fellowship
The NHS England / NIHR Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Programme provides research training awards for health and social care professionals, excluding doctors and dentists, who wish to develop careers that combine research and research leadership with continued practice and professional development.
If you would like to discuss this fellowship in more detail, please contact us here.
Internships
Internships are short duration awards for individuals with little or no research experience. They deliver a range of taught and academically supervised components that engage and expose the award holder to a research environment. Interns develop the practical skills required to undertake a research project or to develop a project idea, supported by an expert supervisor.
The award covers salary costs for the days undertaking the Internship and away from their health or care role.
Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF)
The PCAF scheme offers two distinct funding streams, which allow applicants to choose the level of support most appropriate to their individual requirements.
Standard PCAF
- Full time for 12 months / part time over 24 or 30 months
- Salary costs (for the time spent undertaking the Fellowship)
- Up to £5,000 towards Master’s level training
- Up to £1,000 for conference/meeting fees and associated travel and subsistence
- Research development support costs up to £1000 (supervision and/or PPI costs)
PCAF Bridge
- 4 days per week for 6 months / 2 days per week for 12 months.
- Salary costs (for the time spent undertaking the Fellowship)
- Up to £400 for formal courses
- Up to £500 for conference/meeting fees and associated travel and subsistence
- Research development support costs up to £500 (supervision and/or PPI costs)
Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship
Fellows must
- Be based at English NHS Trust, other health care organisation or HEI
- Hold a minimum of 1 year’s clinical experience and current statutory registration
- Have the support of excellent academic supervision and clinical supervision
Funding and support
- 3 years FT (with part-time options)
- Funds salary (for academic time and clinical time), research costs, academic training costs (inc. PhD fees), professional training & development costs, and the costs of research visits and conference attendance
Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship
Fellows may
- Have recently completed or soon to be awarded a PhD but haven’t yet established themselves as an independent researcher
- Be starting to establish themselves as an independent researcher, or who are already established as an independent researcher but are not yet recognised as an international leader in their field
- Be seeking to re-establish their research career following a significant career break
- Be seeking to re-establish their research career following time back in clinical practice
Funding and support
- 2-5 years WTE (between 50 and 100% WTE)
- Funding for salary, research costs and training and development costs, including £2000 per year conference related costs
- It is possible to apply for two sequential Fellowships up to a total of 8 years
Clinical / Practice time
- 20% and 40% of the award time must be dedicated to development of the awardee’s clinical service or practice role which will be funded through the Fellowship
Fellowships for All
The NIHR Fellowship programme supports individuals with the potential and on a trajectory to become future leaders in NIHR research. This programme is open all NHS employees who can demonstrate a role in, or contribution to, improving health and wellbeing, health and social care or services.
Local Authority Academic Fellowship Programme
This programme of fellowship schemes and short placement awards supports individuals based within English local authority settings to develop as health and/or social care researchers whilst retaining their existing employment and salary. This new initiative provides exciting opportunities for a wide range of individuals.