Increasing the evidence-base for Primary Care Practice.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research is a partnership between nine leading academic centres for primary care research in England.
Established in 2006, we work to increase the evidence base for primary care practice through high quality research and strategic leadership, and to build capacity in primary care with a well established training programme.
Latest news and blogs
February 2026 | NIHR SPCR Newsletter
27 February 2026
The February 2026 edition of our NIHR SPCR newsletter is out now. Sign-up to receive our monthly newsletters to stay updated about our latest news, publications and funding
SPCR Masterclass Recording | Let’s Talk Dementia
24 February 2026
The SPCR recently hosted a masterclass titled “Let’s Talk Dementia: Supporting communication in research partnerships involving people with dementia.” The session explored how researchers and public contributors can work together more inclusively by adapting communication practices to better support people with dementia as active partners in research.
SPCR-Funded Research Recognised by BJGP
23 February 2026
We are pleased to congratulate our NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) colleagues whose work has been recognised in the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP) Top Ten most read and published papers of 2025.
Current Funding Opportunities
SPCR PhD Studentships 2026
The nine SPCR member universities are now recruiting for their 2026 PhD Studentships.
More opportunities will be added as they are made available.
SPCR Primary Care Clinical Fellowship 2026
These fellowships are designed to support early-career primary care research clinicians (pre- or post-doctoral) who demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in academic primary care.
Deadline: Monday 2 March 2026, 13:00
SPCR Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) Post-Doctoral Fellowships support early-career researchers to develop as independent primary care scientists and future research leaders.
Deadline: Monday 2 March 2026, 13:00
Undergraduate Internship Programme
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR) is supporting 18 Primary Care research internships in the Summer of 2026. Two internships will be hosted by each of the SPCR’s nine member institutions. Internships are open to students from any undergraduate degree programme from any university in the UK.
Deadline: Wednesday 11 March 2026, 13:00
Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health Programme Masters Scholarships
A new funding opportunity is now open: Master’s Scholarships to build future capacity in academic mental health research.
Deadline: Thursday 26 March 2026, 13:00
Pharmacy Commercial Research Fellow
If you’re a Pharmacy Professional keen to shape the future of commercial research in primary care and community pharmacy, this fellowship offers a rare chance to work at the intersection of practice, research, and industry.
Deadline: Tuesday 31 March 2026, 13:00
NIHR Three Schools’ Dementia Research Programme – Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme
Applications are now open for the NIHR Three Schools’ Dementia Research Programme Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme.
Deadline: Friday 1 May 2026, 17:00
Upcoming Events and Latest Publications
NIHR Webinar | Is a career in research for me? - pharmacy
Tuesday, 03 March 2026, 12.30pm to 1.45pm
NIHR Three Schools Early Career Researcher Event
Thursday, 12 March 2026, 10.30am to 4.30pm
SPCR Masterclass | Engaging people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation in research
Thursday, 19 March 2026, 12pm to 1pm
Latest publications
-
Understanding the retention and support needs of UK first contact practitioner physiotherapists in primary care; a realist review
Journal article
Rob Goodwin et al, (2026)
-
Health visitor and community health nurse perspectives of supporting parents caring for unsettled babies: a qualitative interview study
Journal article
Lucy Smith et al, (2026)
-
Prescribing of medication to prevent glucocorticoid harms in patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica: a cross-sectional study and two emulated target trials in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum
Journal article
Helen Twohig et al, (2026), Arthritis & Rheumatology
Members
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research is a research and capacity-building partnership between nine leading centres for academic primary care across England, with our Directorate hosted at the Keele University.
