The funding is for three years and supports institutions to deliver engagement programmes to attract people into research careers. It also offers fully-funded research masters places to train those new to research.
The funding is part of the new ‘Insight: Inspiring Students into Research’ scheme. This aims to help students and those at early career stages to access the full range of research careers, from research delivery to academic.
Waljit Dhillo, dean of NIHR Academy, said, "We know how important early exposure to research is for helping students and early career professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed to join the research workforce and build successful research careers in the future.
"The Insight programme will offer over 300 funded research masters places per year and provide engagement activities that have the potential to excite and capture the imagination of students at an early stage in their career.
"I’m delighted that we can invest in our next generation of researchers in this way and show students all of the benefits that research roles and careers have to offer."
Training to help build successful research careers
The scheme will provide over 300 masters places available per year across 12 regions. It aims to build research capacity across England, making sure competitive research training opportunities are available to all, regardless of geography. Each region has been awarded up to 30 masters studentships per year.
The regional programmes are open to students and recent graduates from professions without much exposure to research during their professional training. This will broaden access to research training. It will also help create a more diverse research workforce. It is open to students and recent graduates from:
· Registered healthcare professions (not including doctors and dentists)
· Social work professions
· Public health professions
Innovative engagement activities will promote the benefits of research careers within health and care. This includes careers combining research and practice. Activities are wide ranging. Examples include workshops, networking, mentoring programmes and showcase events.
The fully-funded research masters opportunities will enable students and recent graduates to gain valuable research training and experience. This will help develop the skills needed to join the research workforce. It will also help build capacity within health and social care.
Institutions in each region will advertise their research masters training and engagement opportunities. They can be held full-time or part-time (over two years). The first cohort of places will start from September 2024.