Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

NIHR Three Research Schools'
Mental Health Research Fellowships

The NIHR Schools for Primary Care Research (SPCR), Public Health Research (SPHR) and Social Care Research (SSCR) (“three Schools”) have joined together in a unique collaboration between leading academic centres in England to collaborate on a programme of work funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR): 

Improving mental health and wellbeing in underserved populations through collaborative research 

The programme will support proposals addressing a range of conditions within the HRCS mental health category, including depression, schizophrenia, psychosis and personality disorders, addiction, suicide, anxiety, eating disorders, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, autistic spectrum disorders and studies of normal psychology, cognitive function and behaviour. It will also include a focus on the wider determinants and prevention of poor mental health, and reduction of mental health inequalities and subsequent outcomes. 

A key aspect of the programme is building research capacity. To develop a critical mass of mental health research in underserved communities it is essential to build strong capacity with the expertise and local knowledge needed to make an impact. 

We aim to do this by establishing: 

  • Bespoke fellowship scheme to develop new research capacity in key topic areas and localities in need of capacity development 

  • Masters/post-graduate training to increase research capability (watch this space for further details) 

  • Dedicated service user, carer patient and public involvement and engagement expertise 

  • Early career research forum 

Applications are invited from health and care professionals working in mental health but without a strong track record of mental health research (including but not limited to social work, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, public health practitioners, housing providers, care home managers, paramedics) and methodologists (including social scientists, statisticians, economists and evidence synthesis experts) wishing to develop research careers in the area spanned by this programme. 

The quality of the applications received will determine how many fellowships will be funded but all fellowships must have ended by 31 March 2024. Part time fellowships will be considered (0.6FTE minimum). Fellows will be based across the three Schools’ Departments to ensure they receive the academic support needed to develop a strong research career within the remit of this programme. Cross-institutional supervision and exchange placements will be encouraged. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to make contact with a member of the relevant School to discuss your proposed project and agree supervisory arrangements. 

To apply for one of these fellowships, please complete and submit an application form and email it, along with a short CV (two pages maximum) and a covering letter (one page maximum), to c.ashmore@keele.ac.uk by 12 noon on Thursday 28 July 2022.  

Please name your documents using the following naming convention:   

Surname_letter_MHF 

Surname_CV_MHF   

Surname_SAF_MHF 

Please review the guidance notes before submitting your application.  

TIMETABLE 

22 June 2022  

Competition launch  

28 July 2022 at 12 noon  

Closing date for submission of applications  

August 2022  

Panel to discuss applications  

Early September 2022  

Competition outcomes will be announced  

1 October 2022  

Awards may start from this date  

CONTACT INFORMATION 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact their local Research Design Service (RDS) for advice. 

For general queries relating to this funding call, including queries relating to the administrative process of applying, please contact c.ashmore@keele.ac.uk