Training
NIHR Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP) for nurses and midwives
The NIHR PIPP offers clinical research delivery nurses and midwives an opportunity to develop their research leadership skills to undertake a Principal Investigator (PI) role.
For more information, please visit:
Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme | NIHR
NIHR Associate Principal Investigator (PI) scheme
This is a six-month in-work training opportunity for all health and care professionals, supported by a local PI within your clinical specialty.
Associate Principal Investigator Scheme | NIHR
Writing retreats
Do you need some funded time to write for publication, chapters for your thesis or your master’s dissertation? The Oxford BRC fund several writings retreats a year off-site and the divisional research leads provide mentorship. The retreats give you dedication time to write without distraction. The retreats are open to all nurses, midwives and AHP’s. For more information, please contact your divisional research lead or visit NIHR BRC Writing Retreat
Current writing space and time
These in-person writing retreats are open to all OUH-employed:
nurses
midwives
allied health professionals
pharmacists
healthcare scientists
at any stage of their career, who need space to focus on academic writing without interruption.
Whether you are writing a paper for a journal, completing a piece of academic work, analysing research data or writing a report or research proposal, retreats will provide you with a quiet space to make progress.
A Research Lead will be available to talk through your work and give you advice on completing your writing. We often have librarian support on these days too.
Each day runs from 8.00am - 4.00pm and most are held in the Oxford Hospitals Educational Centre (OxHEC).
You can book for the whole day, or 8.00am -12.00 noon or 12.00 noon - 4.00pm.
Register in advance at the link below and bring your laptop, supporting papers / materials and refreshments.
Monthly writing retreats for all NMAHPPS
You can attend as many sessions as you want - you will receive a calendar invite to confirm your place on the day.
For more information please email clair.merriman@ouh.nhs.uk or OUH.Divisionalresearchleads@ouh.nhs.uk
Upcoming dates - 2026
Tuesday 15 September
Wednesday 30 September - Horton General Hospital
Wednesday 7 October
Wednesday 21 October - Horton General Hospital
Thursday 12 November
Monday 14 December
2027
Tuesday 19 January 2027
Wednesday 10 February 2027
Wednesday 3 March 2027 - Horton General Hospital
Thursday 11 March 2027
Clinical Academic Career Pathways
Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships
For nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and pharmacists at the start of their research journey, these fellowships offer part-time funding for up to 12 months, and allow protected time to complete analysis of existing research data and to write for publication.
Pre-doctoral Research Fellowships | NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford
Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowships (PCAF)
For nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists and healthcare scientists interested in a clinical academic or practitioner career. The PCAF supports funded time to develop a doctorial fellowship and obtain any relevant academic training. The award can be taken full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 or 30 months.
[Link returned error 404]
NIHR Fellowships
The NIHR Doctoral Fellowship supports those undertaking a PhD in health and social care.
The NIHR Advanced Fellowship supports those who have completed, or are about to complete, their PhD, providing support to progress a research career.
Research career funding programmes | NIHR
Oxford Brookes University Research Modules / Degrees
Oxford Brookes University runs several research modules such as:
Research Design
Applied Research Methods
Epidemiology and Research Methods
Applied Research Methods for Advanced Practice
Planning and Managing Clinical Trials.
For more information on all postgraduate courses please visit:
Find where you belong - Oxford Brookes University
Master by Research (MRes)
Oxford Brookes University offers postgraduate research including Master by Research (MRes).
Speak to your Divisional research lead or contact Oxford Brookes University.
Email: hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk
MPhil/PhD Nursing and Midwifery
The MPhil with transfer to PhD can be completed within 3-5 years depending on whether you undertake the research degree full time or part time. If you have a research proposal in mind and have identified key research groups to support your research, please visit OBU PhD Nursing and Midwifery to review and submit your application.
Professional Doctorates
Doctorate in Nursing (DNurs)
Five-year part-time programme allowing you to complete your Doctorate in Nursing (DNurs) while working in your current role:
DNurs in Professional Doctorate in Nursing at Oxford Brookes University
Doctorate in Midwifery (DMid)
Five-year part-time programme allowing you to complete your Doctorate in Midwifery (DMid)while working in your current role:
DMid in Professional Doctorate in Midwifery at Oxford Brookes University
Funding opportunities
NIHR Green Shoots scheme
The NIHR Green Shoots Funding scheme allows staff who are keen to explore research some protected time to complete relevant research training and experience research within their current clinical setting. The scheme is advertised through NIHR CRN Thames Valley and South Midlands. Please look out for emails from your Divisional Research Leads and the Lead for NMAHPs clinical research delivery.
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC)
The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) offers bursaries and funding for projects. Bursaries provide additional support to develop individuals or groups in research.
Individuals can apply for up to £500 and groups can apply up to £2,000. Funding of up to £10,000 can be applied to support current projects that align with the ARC priorities.
NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF)
Research Capability Funding aims to develop and support research-active staff to deliver high quality research in their areas.
Wellcome Early-Career Awards
Wellcome Early-Career Awards provide funding to healthcare professionals to develop their research careers and unique research identity. The funding scheme lasts five years and up to £400,000 may be requested to support research development.
Early-Career Awards – Funding for Early-Career Researchers | Research Funding | Wellcome
Research grants and Doctoral Fellowships
Several charities offer research grants and doctoral fellowships, for example:
Versus Arthritis Fellowships
For a list of PhD opportunities please visit:
Postgraduate Studentships | Find a PhD | Postgraduate Funding
The Burdett Trust for Nursing
The Burdett Trust for Nursing advertises grants on key themes of around £50,000 to £100,000 throughout the year.
Apply - The Burdett Trust for Nursing
Anne Harrold Bursary
The Anne Harrold Bursary is open to pre-registration nurses and midwives, and current nurses and midwives who completed their pre-registration at Oxford Brookes University, to support small scale projects within a clinical area that benefit service users.
For more information please email: sarah.stephenson@ouh.nhs.uk
Oxfordshire Health Service Research Committee (OHRSC) Research Grants
These grants are open to staff working within the NHS (Oxfordshire region). Applicants can request up to £10,000 to support small projects and researchers in the beginning of their research career.
There are two closing rounds in April and October each year.
Oxfordshire Health Service Research Committee (OHRSC) Research Grants
Oxford Hospitals Charity
Oxford Hospitals Charity has funding to support projects up to £50,000.
Funding Opportunities up to £50,000 - Oxford Hospitals Charity
Patient charities
Some local and national patient charities provide grants or funding to support projects, for example the Health Foundation supports improvement, research data analytics health promotion programmes.
How to prepare for a scientific poster
For advice on preparing for a poster, please view Webinar developed by Lung Cancer Nursing UK or visit Bodleian iSkills Workshops
