Pre-Application Support Fund

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has been awarded additional Pre-Application Support block funding from NIHR. This funding is available to support healthcare professionals at all career stages who need additional assistance in preparing competitive and successful applications for future NIHR career development fellowships or research grants.

The aim of this funding is to provide enhanced opportunities to those who may not otherwise have sufficient support to apply for NIHR career development funding. We encourage applications from healthcare professionals from all backgrounds and communities to promote diversity and inclusivity in the research field.

Priority will be given to:

• Applicants seeking to apply for NIHR fellowships or research grants, including:
  • Pre-doctoral Fellowships
  • Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) Award
  • Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF)
  • In-practice Fellowship
  • Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award
  • Pre-doctoral Local Authority Fellowship Scheme (PLAF)
• Individuals who can clearly demonstrate the need for additional support and how this funding will strengthen their planned application to an NIHR career development scheme.

What the funding can be used for:

•  Salary contribution up to £10,000: To allow time for the preparation of an application.
• Training and development: Relevant training, mentorship or supervisory costs directly related to developing your application.
• Additional support: For instance, costs associated with Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).

When and how to apply?

The scheme is currently closed for applications. Stay tuned for updates on application timelines and requirements.

2025 funding round

In the 2025 funding round, we are delighted to support 13 healthcare professionals from across our partner NHS Trusts. This talented group includes a nurse, midwife, physiotherapists, a speech and language therapist, dietitian, radiographer, pharmacists, and clinical scientists.

With our support, they are now preparing competitive applications for NIHR Fellowships at predoctoral, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels, taking the next steps in their research careers and contributing to the advancement of evidence-based healthcare.

Meg Hyslop-Heart, Fetal Monitoring Lead Midwife at Saint Mary’s Hospital (part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust) was successfully awarded an NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship.

Meg said: “The Manchester BRC Pre-Application Support Fund gave me the dedicated time and headspace to develop a high-quality NIHR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship application. It allowed me to build crucial academic relationships, co-design my study with women and clinicians, and ensure that my proposal was both robust and grounded in real-world need. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the flexibility and support the fund provided.”

*Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust