MRC launches new fellowship programmes to target skills gaps
17 July 2009
The MRC is committed to supporting the training and development of a skilled research workforce, and responding to strategic skills needs in healthcare research in the UK.
As highlighted in the recent Office for Life Sciences Life Sciences Blueprint, clinical pharmacology and pathology skills underpin the development of safe and effective innovative treatments. However, there is strong evidence that these skills are in sharp decline in the UK. To help address this critical skills gap, the MRC is launching a new £3.5 million call for two flagship fellowship training programmes in clinical pharmacology and pathology.
The MRC Clinical Pharmacology and Pathology Fellowship Programmes will attract and develop research leaders of the future in these critical areas. The successful research organisations will need to demonstrate:
- Provision of advanced skills training in clinical pharmacology and/or pathology embedded in excellent organ/systems-based research;
- A record of successful integration of research training and clinical specialty training;
- Exposure of fellows to a world-class fundamental, translational and clinical research environment;
- Well-established NHS and industry partnerships, offering trainees an integrated ‘without walls’ research experience.
The MRC is working with other funders to ensure these new schemes complement their own initiatives.
Research organisations will be invited to submit proposals for a package of research training in clinical pharmacology and/or pathology. The core component must be several doctoral clinical research trainees, but there is flexibility in how the remainder of the package is developed. Submissions must demonstrate that they will build on existing research and training excellence and will serve to strengthen the UK skills base.
Proposals will be assessed in a two-step process with awards being made in April 2010. Guidance for research organisations on how to submit an outline proposal will be available on the MRC website from 5 August 2009.
On announcement of this fellowship programme, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, MRC Chief Executive, said: “The OLS Blueprint comes at a vital time for the life sciences industry in the UK and sends a clear message about the importance of a vibrant and innovative life sciences industry in the UK. To deliver health benefits we need the business sector to work together with an NHS that is receptive to new technologies, with the support of a world-class research base providing the bedrock for innovation.”
These fellowship programmes form part of a suite of schemes developed by the MRC to stimulate collaborative research across academia and industry and deliver the skills and capabilities needed by the healthcare industry in the UK.
- People Exchange Programme: Research Leader Fellowships
This is a new scheme providing personal awards of up to £75k to experienced research scientists to exchange knowledge and forge successful partnerships between industry and academia. More information will be available on the MRC website by 22 July. - Industrial CASE studentships
This PhD studentship scheme aims to provide a challenging training experience through collaboration between academic and industry partners. The 2009 call for Industrial CASE studentship applications will be available on the MRC website by 22 July. - MRC Industry Collaboration Awards (MICA)
Grants to provide flexible support for academic-industry biomedical research collaborations.
For more information, contact:
Dr Rhoswyn Griffiths
Programme Manager – Research Career Awards
Tel: 020 7670 5403
Email: fellows@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
