Notice

The Epilepsy Research Institute is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatment of epilepsy and its associated conditions. Individuals are invited to submit high-quality applications that have the potential to benefit people who are affected by epilepsy.

The Doctoral Award is a 3-year training award designed to support the career development of all health and social care professionals through PhD research. The award supports research in any scientific discipline or sector that contributes to improving health, including public health and social care, within our remit for personal career development awards. For clinicians, practitioners, and local authority applicants, 20% of the award can be dedicated to clinical or practice time.

What funding is available?

The Doctoral Award provides comprehensive funding to support an individual in undertaking a PhD by research.

Funding covers:

• the full salary of the award holder for the entire duration of the fellowship at the requested FTE. This includes the employer's contribution to National Insurance and superannuation
• costs for the approved research project
• associated conference fees up to £3,000
• costs for a suitable training and development plan which will lead to further professional development
• working with people and communities costs
• laptop or computer costs up to £1,000

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• have prior research experience or training to prepare for a PhD and not already hold a PhD by research
• propose substantive employment with a recognised higher education institution (HEI), NHS body, local authority, or other publicly or third-sector funded health or social care provider in England.
  • if you are applying to the Addictions Healthcare Goals Programme partnership award, you must have an equivalent UK-wide contracting organisation in the devolved nations
  • if you plan to undertake clinical/practice time as part of your award, or your host organisation is not a HEI, a partner organisation must be listed in the application. If this is omitted, your application will not be eligible. Read more about choosing a contracting organisation
• if already registered for a PhD, you must not have been enrolled for more than 12 months full-time by the award start date
• your proposed research must be within our remit for personal career development awards

Key dates

Opening date: 3 November 2026

Closing date: 13 January 2027

Funding committee review: January - May 2027

Doctoral Award interviews: 8 - 24 June 2027

Start dates: 1 October 2027 - 1 March 2028

How to Apply

Please visit the NIHR's dedicated Doctoral Awards page for further details on how to apply.

Please identify that you would like to apply for this joint funding opportunity with the Epilepsy Research Institute when asked in the application. For further queries, please email Hannah Pickard, Head of Research Partnerships.