The NIHR ARC East of England Fellowship programme offers people working in health, care, and voluntary service settings an opportunity to develop research and impact skills. Applications are now open for the 2026 programme.

Application Deadline: January 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM

About the Fellowship Programme

The ARC Fellowship programme has been supporting professionals since 2010, with over 170 fellowships awarded to date. The programme has helped numerous professionals advance their careers, whether by exploring the research field further or gaining confidence to support evidence-informed practice within their own roles.

Fellowship Types

ARC Research Fellowship

The 12-month research fellowship aims to develop an understanding of the research environment and build research methodology skills. Projects must align with ARC research priorities.

Priority Focus Areas for 2026:

• Analytics and health economics
• Mental health across the life course
• Research in social care

ARC Impact Fellowship

The 12-month ARC Impact Fellowship is for individuals seeking to develop their skills in implementing and disseminating evidence-based improvements in health and care settings. The fellowship includes attendance at implementation and knowledge mobilisation workshops, as well as conducting a project typically within the workplace.

Two Project Types:

Implementation Projects: Must be based on rigorous evidence and may involve adapting this evidence to new contexts. Projects should add value to the employing organisation.

Knowledge Mobilisation Projects: Involves identifying an area of evidence-based change—whether from personal research, others’ research, or clinical guidelines—that needs to be disseminated and implemented to effect service change.

Programme Benefits

Expert Teaching

The teaching programme is designed to equip fellows with fundamental skills to deliver on their projects. Led by experts in their respective fields, each session focuses on different topics, ranging from statistics to public and patient involvement in health and social care research.

Backfill Funding

Fellows are funded by the ARC for one day per week for a year (to a maximum of £12,500). This ensures dedicated time every week to undertake the project, participate in the teaching programme, and engage in action learning sets.

Specialist Supervision

Each fellow is assigned a supervisor who provides guidance and assistance throughout the project to ensure its success. Supervisors offer expertise and knowledge necessary to address challenges and provide valuable feedback.

Networking Opportunities

Action learning sets create a supportive community where fellows can share experiences, seek advice, and collaborate with peers.

Eligibility

The programme is open to:

• Clinicians
• Health and social care staff
• Voluntary sector professionals
• Managers in health and social care services across the East of England
• Individuals without a PhD (healthcare professionals with a clinical doctorate can apply)
• Those currently in an academic post who hold an honorary contract with an organisation delivering health or social care

Project Focus Recommendations

For NHS-based Research or Impact projects, applicants are strongly encouraged to align project focus to the Darzi review of the NHS, which broadly includes:

• Primary prevention of ill health and prevention of escalation of health needs
• Support for treating people away from acute care
• Support for the health and care workforce
• Supporting elective care recovery and supporting people waiting

For projects in social care or other non-NHS settings, applicants can prioritise their own research or impact questions.

Examples of previous fellows’ projects can be found on the programme website.

Finding a Supervisor

Applicants are encouraged to contact an Academic Supervisor or Impact Advisor to discuss their project prior to applying. Supervisors can provide valuable input to help refine project ideas and strengthen written applications, ensuring projects are well-developed, feasible, and ready to begin at the start of the fellowship year.

A directory of potential supervisors is available on the programme website. Experienced academics from the University of East Anglia, University of Essex, University of Hertfordshire, University of Cambridge, and Anglia Ruskin University may also act as academic supervisors.

How to Apply

Applications are made through a written application available on the programme website. Applicants will be evaluated solely on their written application. There are no interviews as part of the selection process.

Application Deadline: January 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM

[Apply Here]

Informational Webinars

The programme is hosting two informative webinars about the ARC East of England Fellowship programme. Attendees will learn more about the programme sessions and have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the application process.

Webinar Schedule:

• Webinar 1: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 PM
• Webinar 2: Monday, November 17, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 PM

Register using the links on the programme website.

Contact and Additional Information

For more information about the ARC East of England Fellowship programme, visit the programme website or contact the programme team.

Learn more about previous fellows’ experiences and projects on the programme website. here

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