The Medical Research Council (MRC) has launched a research partnership scheme to provide full-time NHS consultant practitioners, who are research qualified but not active, the opportunity to participate in collaborative research partnerships.
For the pilot Clinical Academic Research Partnership (CARP) scheme, the MRC has committed £10million plus, available over two rounds. The National Institute for Health Research has offered a further £2million.
The scheme will enable clinicians to contribute to research programmes as part-time co-investigators rather than programme leads.
There will be an initial 45-50 awards on offer and, if successful, the pilot scheme will be developed into a full, long-term scheme.
The closing date for round one is 12 March 2019 and round two will close in June/July 2019.
Professor Fiona Watt, executive chair of the MRC, said: "We know many consultants are keen to engage with research but lack the opportunities and funding to do so. We aim to change that, ensuring that they can put the valuable skills acquired and research groups can benefit from the clinical insights they are able to offer.”
A minimum of one year and a maximum of three years at a support salary of 30-50% of the applicant’s basic salary is being offered by the new scheme.
Listed in the specifications for acceptance, applicants should be working at consultant-level in an NHS trust with evidence of clinical academic excellence, must hold a PhD or equivalent and should not be currently undertaking any substantive research activity.
The Clinical Academic Research Partnership (CARP) scheme will support successful applicants to develop new collaborations with research groups, enabling them to build upon their research skills while also encouraging an exchange of ideas necessary for successful translational health and biomedical research.
Further details about the Clinical Academic Research Partnership scheme and information about how to apply can be found on the CARP funding call page.