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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Health and Care Research Training Hub

BSMS > Research > Support and governance > SHCRP > Health and Care Research Training Hub

Health and Care Research Training Hub

Welcome

We are excited to launch a new Health & Care Research Training Hub! This exciting new initiative has been created to strengthen our expanding community of talented and innovative researchers.

The hub is led by our Co-Directors, Dr Jessica Eccles (Reader in Brain-Body Medicine, Integrated Academic Training Co-Lead, BSMS) and Dr Cate Bell (Programme Lead for Clinical Academic Careers and Nurses Midwives and Allied Health Professionals Research, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust)

This hub is a single point of contact for advice, best practices, and information on health and care academic research careers and recruitment to research fellowships. It will provide access to training and development for academic clinical practitioners and health and social care professionals at all stages of their academic journey.

The hub is open to all health and care professionals from academic institutions, local authorities and NHS Trusts across Sussex. We can provide specific support for current PhD students and pre / post-doc health and care professionals as well as trainees on the Integrated Academic Training programme.

Why a Research Training Hub?

Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the Health Research Partnership, and our partners across Sussex, aim to foster a thriving environment for research and clinical academic progress.

To see a talk from one of our Co-Directors Dr Jess Eccles, on the origin and development of the Health & Care Research Training Hub, please see below.

We are proud to support a multi-professional group of doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care professionals and health and care researchers pursuing research opportunities.

Explore our website

Please explore our brand-new website for more information on some of the academic and research opportunities we support, along with details on how we can help and guide your experience. The hub is still in development so please stay tuned and check back for updates.

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Careers Advisory Service

Sussex Health & Care Research Careers Advisory Service

We're excited to announce the launch of our new Sussex Health & Care Research Careers Advisory Service.

This service aims to provide a personalised 1-to-1 research careers advisory session with one of our experienced volunteers, with tailored advice to help you identify the perfect research opportunities to progress your career.

This service will be run as a pilot for the next 6 months.

To book a session, click the link below to complete the application form. Our team will be in touch to schedule your appointment.

Complete the form here >

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Sussex Nurses Research Network

The Sussex Nurses Research Network has been created to connect and bring together nurses who are actively involved in research. This includes those already involved in evidence-based practice and quality improvement projects. The hope is that this network will create a space for collaboration, networking, mentoring and nurturing the research ambitions of nurses in the region.

The inaugural meeting of this network took place on Tuesday 26 November and agreed on the below set-up for the network. A recording of the first meeting can be found here.

  • The network has established monthly online meetings running on different days and times in order to accommodate our busy and demanding work lives
  • There will be face to face opportunity to engage with other network members during the year.
  • The network has a steering group with representatives from all areas of nursing practice: clinical, academia, primary care, social care, nursing students, research delivery, Sussex ICB, and hospices. The steering group will arrange and implement the annual actions and events of the network.
  • The network develops a mailing list that will facilitate the exchange of information among members.

The dates of all 2025 Sussex Nurses Research Network events are listed below. Please email iat@bsms.ac.uk if you would like to join the mailing list for this network.

Sussex Nurses Research Network online events 2025

  • Thursday 13th February, 15.00-16.00
  • Wednesday 19th March, 12.00-13.00
  • Tuesday 15th April, 10.00-11.00
  • Tuesday 20th May, 15.00-16.00 (Clinical Trials day)
  • Thursday 12th June, 14.00-15.00
  • Wednesday 23rd July, 15.00-16.00
  • Wednesday 17th September, 15.00-16.00
  • October – HRP Conference
  • Thursday 6th November, 13.00-14.00
  • Tuesday 9th December, 12.00-13.00
  • Thursday 22nd January (2026), 15.00-16.00

Support, guidance and signposting

Two people working from two laptops, with just their arms and hands in view. One person is also making notes on a notepad

We provide essential signposting for academic fellows and aspiring researchers looking to navigate the vast landscape of research careers. Through our partnerships we will provide a comprehensive network of sources of advice, funding, workshops and training. Our connections and collaborative work across the South East region will create a supportive environment for research and academic professional development across the Health and Care fields.

For queries relating to clinical, health and care research, academic careers, or to book a slot to speak with one of the team, please contact us here.

We provide support for individuals working on applications for funding, please contact us here for more information about how we can support you. We would also encourage you to reach out to the following teams:

Joint Clinical Research Office >

Research Support Service >

Sussex Health and Care Research Careers Advisory Service

We're excited to announce the launch of our new Sussex Health & Care Research Careers Advisory Service pilot. More information can be found here. 

Networks

The Academy of Medical Sciences currently offer a mentorship programme. This provides career support to post-doctoral and independent biomedical and health researchers in the UK. Please click here to find out more about this programme.

There is a Nursing Doctoral Support Group which takes place monthly, this is an informal support group for nurses currently undertaking a PhD or actively working on an application. If you are interested in joining this, please email Dr Christina Koulouglioti here.

Sussex Clinical Academic Group peer support network. This group meets from 12-1pm every two months on the third Thursday of the month.This is an informal group in which MD and PhD fellows discuss their research and the group shares their feedback and thoughts. Junior researchers in Sussex are welcome to join. Please email iat@bsms.ac.uk to be added to the mailing list. 

Click here to the Population Health Academy page >

Click here for the ARC KSS Academy page >

Click here for the ARC KSS Mentoring Scheme >

Literature search and evidence services

Knowledge and library services in Sussex work with research teams to provide the evidence to guide research design, avoid duplication and prepare funding bids. NHS knowledge specialists run literature searches on request and can collaborate on systematic reviews. You can also request regular updates on the latest evidence in your field, in order to remain up to date.

For more information about these services, as well as to access online journals and databases or request articles, please see:

Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, Lewes and the havens: Sussex Health Knowledge and Libraries >

Crawley & Horsham: Surrey & Sussex Library and Knowledge Services >

Eastbourne, Hastings & Rother: East Sussex Knowledge and Library Services >

BMJ Impact Analytics

The knowledge and library services in Sussex have made available a new tool for all researchers to measure their impact. BMJ Impact Analytics allows you to see where your publications have been cited in national and international guidance or policy.  It is being used at University Hospital Sussex to show how the trust’s research is having an impact on healthcare service delivery across the world.

East Sussex Healthcare, Sussex Partnership, Sussex Community, BSMS and primary care in Sussex are all covered by the licence. See Discover the real-world impact of your research for more information and login details.

University Hospitals Sussex Research Education Hub

University Hospitals Sussex has launched a new research education hub for its staff and students. This brings together courses and useful information for all staff who are implementing evidence in practice, for the research workforce and for those in clinical academic careers.

Staff and students from University Hospitals Sussex can access these pages on iris, our learning management system, at: Research Education Hub.

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Training, events and workshops

A man talking to a room of people at the HRP conference

The Health & Care Research Training Hub will provide links to a wide network of training and workshops, tailored specifically for health and care academics. From foundational skills to advanced methodologies, we plan to link fellows to the vast array of training available throughout Sussex
Click the button links below for a summary of some of the training available.

Please note that this page is in development, so please continue to check back for updated information and exciting new events.

Hub-Led Events >

Partner Events >

External Events >

Knowledge and Library Skills >

Academic training pathways – IAT/ICA

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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 >

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.

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Additional options for health and care research

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Doctoral opportunities

The HRP Health & Care Research Training Hub will also provide support for those on pre and post doctorate pathways. We will be able to offer guidance on research methodologies, signposting to funding opportunities and access to vast resources across the Universities in the South East region.

Please see the links below for the webpage for each of the partner Universities Doctoral departments:

Visit Brighton and Sussex Medical School >

Visit the University of Sussex >

Visit the University of Brighton >

Visit the University of Chichester > 

Awards

These awards are stand-alone and can equip individuals with the knowledge and training needed to apply for the programmes outlined above.


Pre-application Support Fund

The scheme has been set up to support underrepresented professions and groups to make the next step in their research career.

The scheme will provides funding (up to £40,000) that individuals can use to help prepare a larger application for NIHR career development funding offered by the NIHR Academy. The scheme is targeted at individuals that require additional support to submit a competitive application for NIHR career development funding, and to make the most of the opportunities on offer.

Open for applications in 3 rounds launched throughout the year in September, January and May.


Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA)

The Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award provides up to 5 years of funding for individuals at post-doctoral level to engage in research activities. The award will provide funding for between 20 and 50% protected time from within the individual’s current role to cover salary, training, and development.

The award offers applicants flexibility in that they can propose a broad range of research activities to support their career development.

The scheme is also aimed at individuals that require additional support to develop their track record as an academic leader which could enable them to submit a competitive application for further funding, eg NIHR career development funding, such as an NHSE/NIHR Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (ACAF) or take up a Senior Clinical Academic role at their host organisation.

All applicants must:

  • Be based at a host organisation based in England
  • Have the relevant professional registration in place by the award start date
  • Have a PhD/MD in a relevant subject area
  • Be able to demonstrate evidence of clinical/practice leadership

Contact us

You can email us here – please get in touch if you have any questions or would like more information about anything on the Research Training Hub website.

Please see the links below for updates and news from the Health Research Partnership

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VIEW THE HEALTH RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP X PAGE >

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