MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship Pre-Doctoral (CRTF), 2020

Open date: 23 Jul 2020

Deadline for applications: 2 Sep 2020 16:00 (UK)

The CRTF supports clinicians, including (but not limited to) medics, surgeons, dentists, clinical psychologists, public health specialty trainees, allied health professionals, nurses, midwives and veterinarians, to undertake a PhD or other higher research degree.

Applications are welcome across all areas of the MRC’s remit to improve human health. Applications may range from basic studies with relevance to mechanisms of disease to translational and developmental clinical research, and may address research questions from disease-specific mechanistic hypotheses through to research in priority areas such as population health, public health and molecular pathology as outlined in MRC’s strategic plan. Applications addressing global health issues resulting in primary benefit to those living in low and middle income countries (LMIC), or those proposing interdisciplinary approaches are also welcomed.

CRTFs are usually 3 years. The minimum tenure of a CRTF is 2 years. Up to 4 years’ funding is available for patient-orientated CRTFs where the project will require significant amounts of patient contact.

All periods are based on full time equivalents, and awards may be held on a part-time basis to meet personal commitments. Awards may not be held part-time basis due to other professional commitments.

The main aim of the CRTF scheme is to support clinicians to undertake a higher research degree (PhD or MD). Suitable candidates include (but are not limited to) medics, surgeons, dentists clinical psychologists, public health specialty trainees, allied health professionals, nurses, midwives and veterinarians.

The CRTF scheme aims to support a discrete piece of work which will lead to a PhD (or equivalent). Applicants should demonstrate ownership of their project and ambition to pursue a clinical academic career path, but are not expected to have started their PhD.
Applicants who have started a PhD (or equivalent) may be considered, however they are only eligible to apply if, at the proposed start date, they have not been registered for more than 12 months (or full-time equivalent).
Applicants do not need to have held a position with formal research time (e.g. an academic foundation or academic clinical fellowship (ACF) post).
Clinically qualified applicants are expected to be undertaking their specialty training and have completed their Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) (or equivalent) exams.
Applicants should be at an appropriate point in their clinical training to undertake a PhD, and should have clear plans for the completion of their specialty training. Applicants should consult their deanery about undertaking a PhD and their plans to complete specialty training before developing an application.
Veterinarians may apply where they have equivalent qualifications to those above and providing their project is of relevance to human health.
Clinical Psychologists must have obtained a professional Doctorate-level qualification in Clinical Psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society before taking up their award.
Nurses, midwives and members of the allied health professions must have completed their professional training and hold a research Masters degree, or equivalent postgraduate research-oriented qualification.

For the full call text please visit the MRC grant call webpage.