ARC NWC is delighted to announce the launch of a regional pre-applications support fund, designed to enhance opportunities for health and social care professionals to advance careers in research.

Key information
• Aim: The NIHR ARC NWC Pre-application Support Fund supports protected, funded time for people to prepare a high quality, competitive application for one of the NIHR Career Development Award funding streams. Successful candidates will receive supervision, resources, and guidance to refine their proposals and enhance their chances of securing funding.
• Eligibility: Applications are welcomed from health and social care professionals employed by NIHR ARC NWC partner organisations, including our five university partners. We are particularly keen to support those from traditionally under resourced professions including public health and social care professionals, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, researchers in methodology, and researchers based in local authority settings. Although there is particular interest in these groups, individuals who do not meet these criteria are also encouraged to apply.
• Available funding: Successful candidates will receive £10,000 to cover time release, plus a research support training grant to cover non-pay costs such as training, patient and public involvement, or dissemination.

More detailed guidance notes cane be found here.

Application process
Candidates should complete and submit the short application form detailing:
• the proposed research idea,
• any support and identified training needs, including specific costs where appropriate,
• why additional support is required to submit an application to the standard NIHR career development pathway, and
• how additional support (funding, supervision and training) will enable you to submit a competitive application.

Application deadline
The application deadline is Monday 13th January 2025 at 5pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an informal online interview towards the end of January 2025.

For further information, please contact Dr Julie Cook at arcnwc@uclan.ac.uk. We look forward to receiving your application.