A funded opportunity is now available to boost research skills and career development across the region.
Healthcare professionals across Yorkshire and Humber can access a ground-breaking internship programme designed to enhance research capabilities and drive innovation in patient care. The NIHR Health Care Professionals Internship, delivered through the Yorkshire and Humber Community of Research Practice, is currently accepting applications from eligible candidates.
What’s on Offer
The programme provides up to 30 days of funded time away from regular duties, allowing healthcare professionals to immerse themselves in research activities. This represents a significant investment in workforce development, with funding going directly to employers to cover the cost of releasing staff for research training.
The internship offers four distinct pathways to accommodate different career stages and aspirations:
- Step into research – for those new to research seeking foundational knowledge
- Deliver leadership in research – developing management and oversight skills
- Grow in research – expanding existing research capabilities
- Develop skills as a leading clinician or practitioner academic – for those pursuing advanced research careers
Who Can Apply
The programme welcomes applications from a broad range of healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, and healthcare scientists. To be eligible, candidates must be employed by an institution within Yorkshire and Humber and hold current professional registration.
Key requirements include demonstrating a genuine commitment to professional development and service improvement through research, along with clear objectives for how the internship will benefit both individual practice and wider team or service delivery. Crucially, applicants must secure line manager support before applying.
Building Research Capacity
This initiative forms a cornerstone of regional research capacity building efforts, working in partnership with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire and Humber (YHARC), Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), and other regional partners. The programme recognises that embedding research skills throughout the healthcare workforce is essential for improving patient outcomes and advancing evidence-based practice.
The internship represents more than just individual development opportunities – it’s an investment in the future of healthcare delivery across the region. By equipping frontline professionals with research skills, the programme aims to create a culture where innovation and evidence-based improvements become integral to everyday practice.
Healthcare professionals interested in applying or learning more about the programme should contact their local research support teams for further information about application procedures and deadlines.
