Funding and opportunities

Resources

• The Community for Allied Health Professions research (CAHPR) provides the Clinical Academic Training & Careers Hub (CATCH) on their website. It provides a free national online resource designed to help healthcare professionals understand, navigate and access clinical academic careers. CATCH brings together information, guidance and opportunities that have historically been spread across multiple organisations and systems.
• Professor Jeremy Parr and Professor Lindsay Pennington have been awarded an NIHR grant exploring models of care for children with neurodisability: What evidence-based standardised health, education and social care offer and model of care should be provided for children with neurodisability and their families, and what would be needed to ensure a localised version can be provided efficiently at scale and individualised to reduce inequity? – NIHR Funding and Awards. As part of this, a child disability early career researcher (ECR) network has been set up. Online webinars from the network are available on YouTube, covering topics such as co-production and collaboration.
• The Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership (AHP WRaP), led by Prof Julie Nightingale, continues its work setting research priorities for AHP workforce research in the UK. Summer saw the publication of the Top 10 research priorities for AHP workforce research in the UK, following completion of a national James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), which was coordinated by Sheffield Hallam University in collaboration with the JLA. To receive direct updates on the work of the AHP WRaP, contact ahp-wrap@shu.ac.uk or yp9@aru.ac.uk.
• E-learning on research now available. Research skills are increasingly recognised as core professional capabilities, not just optional extras. Sign up for 2 e-learning modules to build your skills and knowledge about research. The ‘What is Health Research?’ modules, available on the NHS Learning Hub, include a foundation level course for anyone new to research and an intermediate level for those wanting to develop their understanding further. They can be completed at your own pace, anytime, anywhere.

Inclusive research opportunities and resources

• People in Health West of England are running a learning and development programme through October and November. The series explores Patient and Public Involvement in Healthcare research. The first event is October 8 at 14:00. All events are online at 14:00. See the full list of events and register.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has updated its guidance for inclusive research and innovation practice. This covers basic principles as well as links to other resources and guidance for inclusive research.
• Resource for running inclusive events: The University of Oxford School of Geography and Environment have developed a useful checklist document for planning and running inclusive events. The checklist is presented chronologically: Before the Event, During the Event, and After the Event. The aim is to reduce barriers to participation, broaden representation, and create welcoming environments where all participants can contribute meaningfully.
• Inclusive Co-Design of Digital Interventions: Lessons from the DWELL Study. Online event. 6 October 12:00-13:00. Event information and registration.
• The UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO) has collated resources for EDI in research. This includes links to a webinar series and resources for specific topics such as sex and gender, race and ethnicity, religion and belief.
• PRO EDI—A Tool to Help Systematic Reviewers Make Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Assessments. Systematic reviews are often not clear about who is represented within a body of evidence. PRO EDI was developed to help systematic review authors extract and report equity-related participant data to support greater transparency and more informed judgments about applicability. PRO EDI has two main components: a participant characteristics table and guidance on how to use the extracted characteristics data within reviews. PRO EDI recommends that six participant characteristics should be extracted for all included studies in a review: age, sex, gender, ethnicity, race and ancestry, socioeconomic status, and location. Other characteristics (e.g., disability) may be important for some reviews. PRO EDI is relevant for all systematic reviews, not just those with an equity focus. The tool has been piloted in several reviews and is publicly available via Trial Forge. See the complete article and links.
• Nuffield Foundation Racial Diversity UK Fund. Research funding to understand the barriers and pathways to a racially just and inclusive society. Outline application deadline 5 October 2026.

Project/programme grants and funding

 

Four Nations access to NIHR funding

Since 2023, health and social care researchers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had increased access to health and social care research funding from the NIHR. Five NIHR research programmes became accessible in autumn 2023:

• Evidence Synthesis
• Invention for Innovation (i4i)
• Research for Social Care (RfSC)
• Programme Grants for Applied Research programme (PGfAR)
• Programme Development Grants

 

NHS Research Scotland

As well as access to the NIHR schemes above, The Chief Scientist Office has one current funding stream open to directly support research in Scotland. Researcher Initiated Grant Schemes – limit £300k. Next open for applications on 1 September 2026, with outline applications by 16 December 2026.

 

Ymchwil Iechyd a Gofal Cymru – Health and Care Research Wales

View a full list of current opportunities.

 

MND Scotland Early Career Research Competition

MND Scotland have launced their Ignite Early Career Research (ECR) Competition, supporting career development through funding of small-scale research projects related to motor neuron disease (MND). The aim of Ignite is to encourage researchers to explore their own ideas, gain experience leading a project, and build confidence in developing an independent research career. Up to five ECRs will be awarded £2,000 to carry out their proposed project. One participant will progress to receive a further £10,000 to develop their idea. More information is available here and a guidance document for the competition can be found here. Stage 1 applications are open until 31 October 2026.

 

HSC R&D Division Northern Ireland

PPI in Research Support Small Grant Scheme: grants to facilitate the involvement of patients, carers, and public in the research process as partners rather than participants, and to encourage innovative practice in the delivery of PPI through the development of new ways of working with patients, carers and the public. Open call. Further details on the HSC R&D website

Applying for Funding – advice and support for Northern Ireland applicants. For those in NI considering applications to NIHR grant schemes, researchers can discuss applications with members of HSC R&D Division. Further information and contacts on the HSC R&D website.

 

National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)

All funding opportunities from NIHR can be found online.

• The NIHR has launched three new major funding calls into speech and language therapy as part of their Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme.
  Funding is available to support research exploring:

1. interventions for school-aged children with a developmental stammer
2. SLT-led interventions for children and young people with developmental language disorder (DLD)
3. interventions for children and young people with non-progressive motor disorders affecting their speech.

If you are interested in applying for, or collaborating on, one or more of these calls, do reach out to a member of the RCSLT Research team via info@rcslt.org, or visit our webpages for more information on how the RCSLT supports research and research priorities.

Please note that for a limited number of funding calls of specific, strategic priority to the SLT profession, we may be able to consider partnering on a research bid. Please get in touch with our Head of Research & Outcomes, Amit, to discuss.

• NIHR Senior Research Leader (SRL) Programme – Cohort 5 is open for applications. The SRL is a funded programme to build research capacity and capability in health and care organisations, and it is open to allied health professionals. Full details and how to apply are here and specific questions can be sent to srl@nihr.ac.uk. Deadline 7 October 13:00.
• Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme is open for applications. HSDR funds high quality, well designed research to provide findings which meet the needs of NHS and social care managers and leaders. The research is to be carried out by effective and efficient research teams. View full details and how to apply. Deadline 19 November. 13:00.
• Other open calls from the NIHR include themed calls for funding opportunities that focus on priority research areas. Various funding opportunities available – current themes include Brain Tumour and Work Health (working age adults living with chronic health conditions).

 

Medical Research Council (MRC)

All funding opportunities from MRC can be found online. Open calls include:

• MRC: new investigator research grant: applicant-led. No closing date, with shortlisting and interviews twice a year or more frequently depending on applications.
• MRC Proof of Concept: stage one. Funding to develop and test novel therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other interventions. Closing date 18 November 2026.
• Researching ME/CFS priority area. No closing date.

Please see MRC funding for personal fellowships below, as the MRC offers a number of opportunities for individual fellowships and funding.

 

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

All funding opportunities from ESRC can be found online. ESRC’s funding remit includes economic, social, behavioural and human data science.

Open calls for topics in ESRC’s remit include:

• ESRC responsive mode: research grants round two. Deadline 4 November.
• ESRC responsive mode: new investigator grants round two. Deadline 4 November.
• ESRC responsive mode: secondary data analysis round two. Deadline 4 November.

Please see ESRC funding for personal fellowships below, as they offer opportunities for individual fellowships.

 

Wellcome  

All funding opportunities from Wellcome can be found online.

 

Leverhulme Trust 

All funding opportunities from Leverhulme Trust can be found online.

British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants. These awards, up to £10,000 in value and tenable for up to 24 months, are provided to cover the cost of the expenses arising from a defined research project. Deadline 28 October.

 

Nuffield Foundation 

All funding opportunities from Nuffield Foundation can be found online.  Open calls include:

• Racial Diversity UK Fund. Closes 5 October 2026.

Other funders and charities

• Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network Grants, small grants for 2026. The grant scheme returned on 13 April. Services can apply for up to £12,000 for projects within the following themed categories:
  • no diagnosis without support (including mental health)
  • improving research participation
  • connected care closer to the community.

  Key dates: 10 September 2026 – 17:00 deadline to submit expressions of interest. 15 October 2026 – 17:00 final deadline for applications.

• BBC Children in Need Grants. Apply for funding in one of the following priority areas: preventing mental health issues, alleviating the impact of poverty and deprivation, reducing social inequity for marginalised children and young people, addressing the impact of family related challenges. Priorities for funding differ by geographical region in the UK. Full details on the BBC Children in Need website.
• Stroke Association. All funding opportunities from the Stroke Association can be found on their website.

Fellowships and clinical academic opportunities

 

National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Fellowships

Find all NIHR fellowships under the Research career development funding programmes.

• The UKRI new Fellowship investment framework seeks to make fellowship funding easier for applicants to understand and award holders to manage, make it easier to respond to emerging opportunities and widen fellowship support, reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency of application and delivery. All fellowships across UKRI funders, such as the Medical Research Councils and Economic and Social Research Council, will come into line with this framework as fellowship opportunities are opened.

Wellcome

• Early-Career Awards  provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme. No closing date.
• Career Development Awards provides funding for mid-career researchers from any discipline who have the potential to be international research leaders. They will develop their research capabilities, drive innovative programmes of work and deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing. No closing date.

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

• ESRC applicant-led: grow awards. Apply for funding to build the skills, experience and confidence to make a step-change in your research career. Grow awards support individuals at key career points to develop new capabilities or pivot in a new direction, strengthening the long-term capacity, adaptability and resilience of the UK’s social science research base. Opens 5 November. No closing date.

Leverhulme Trust

• Early career fellowships. The Fellowships are intended to assist those at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, and it is hoped that the appointment would lead to a more permanent position for the individual, either within the same or another university. Opens 1 January 2027. Deadline 18 February 2027.

MRC

• Early independence: career development fellowship. Apply for an early independence fellowship to support your career transition within the new UKRI Fellowship Investment Framework, if your research focus is within the MRC remit. Deadline 15 September 16:00.
• Daphne Jackson fellowship. For researchers returning after a career break. No closing date.

Stroke Association

All funding opportunities from the Stroke Association can be found on their website.

PhDs

Renewal of the Wellcome Trust – funded Forward North Clinical PhD programme for Health Professionals, to run from 2026 to 2031. Forward North studentships provide funding for 3 years, including salary, fees, consumable costs, training and travel allowance. PhDs are expected to be completed within the 3-years. Health Care professionals with limited prior research experience are eligible to apply for up to 6 months pre-doctoral salary support. The primary supervisor must be from one of the Forward North Institutions and there must be co-supervision from at least one additional Forward North Institution

The call is now open for applications from health professionals to undertake PhDs commencing in 2027, with the deadline for initial Stage 1 applications on Monday 28 September 2026.

Visit the Forward North website or contact one of the Sheffield Forward North team (Nils Krone, Alison Condliffe, Simon Bell and Ola Rominiyi.

Other PhD opportunities

We now share funded project-based PhD opportunities, sourced from findaphd.com 

Note, that there may be opportunities to apply for funding with institutions to pursue other PhD topics and we encourage you to contact relevant universities to explore this. 

Latest opportunities: 

• How do children learn to read and spell irregular words? Australian Catholic University, North Sydney. No Deadline.
• Examining professional practice with intersex service users in health and social care. University of Huddersfield. Deadline 30 October.
• When Timing Breaks Down: Rhythmic Synchronisation in Reading and Mathematical Difficulties. University of Huddersfield. Deadline 30 October.
• Acceptability and effectiveness of tele-support systems for family caregivers of persons living with dementia. Aim: To evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of a culturally tailored tele-support system for family caregivers of persons living with dementia in Ghana. University of Huddersfield. Deadline 30 October.

Current commissioned calls

The RCSLT Research team work with the NIHR to help shape future speech and language therapy research, as part of our ongoing focus on innovation and excellence in research and clinical practice. In August 2026, the NIHR launched three new funding calls on topics relevant to speech and language therapy:  

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)   

 Which speech and language therapist-led interventions that support school-aged children with developmental language disorder are the most suitable for future studies of comparative effectiveness?   

This opportunity calls for a survey of current practice and an evidence review, with a view to identifying interventions that could be evaluated in a future HTA-funded effectiveness study. This includes developing a better understanding of SLTs’ clinical decision making, the existing evidence base, how interventions are adapted to meet individual need, and the views and preferences of key stakeholders (including children and their parents/caregivers).   

The call is a significant step towards developing the evidence base and addressing clinical uncertainty in the field of DLD, specifically in relation to speech and language therapy. Find out more about the proposed outputs and study design. We encourage members to take a look at our recently completed priority setting partnership for DLD, and resulting Top 10 research priorities, to inform their bid if they are interested in applying to this call.    

Opens: 1pm on 6 August 2026 

Closes: 1pm on 18 November 2026   

Developmental Stammering

What is the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an intervention(s) for school-aged children with a developmental stammer?   

This funding call asks applicants to define and justify an intervention that can be manualised for delivery by NHS SLTs who are not necessarily specialists in stammering, and compare it to care as usual for school-aged children who wish to receive therapy for their stammer. The research will focus on several outcomes, including, but not limited to: quality of life, emotional and psychosocial wellbeing, stammering frequency/severity, and cost-effectiveness.   

The call reflects the potential long-term social, emotional, and economic impacts that stammering can have, and highlights why a clinical trial evaluating SLT-led interventions for this group of children is both timely, and necessary. Find out more about the research question, setting and proposed study design. If you are considering applying to this call, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the outputs of Action for Stammering Children’s Priority Setting Partnership, for which the RCSLT was a Partner Organisation.    

Opens: 1pm on 6 August 2026  

Closes: 1pm on 18 November 2026   

Non-Progressive Motor Disorders

What is the relative clinical and cost-effectiveness of different direct speech interventions for children and young people with non-progressive motor disorders affecting their speech?   

This opportunity calls for a randomised control trial comparing direct speech interventions for children and young people whose speech intelligibility and overall communication is impacted by cerebral palsy, or other non-progressive motor disorders. Applicants are expected to define and justify their target group, as well as which specific intervention(s) they intend to study, though suggestions have been made.   

The call recognises the centrality of speech and language therapy for children with motor disorders, and relative lack of evidence for interventions that focus on speech (as opposed to language and/or communication). It has the potential to provide clinicians and commissioners with clear new evidence as to which form of direct speech intervention is most effective for this group of children and young people.    

Opens: 1pm on 6 August 2026  

Closes: 1pm on 18 November 2026   

Interested in applying?    

If you are interested in applying for, or collaborating on, one or more of these calls, do reach out to a member of the RCSLT Research team. Please note that for a limited number of funding calls of specific, strategic priority to the speech and language therapy profession, we may be able to consider partnering on a research bid. Please get in touch with our Head of Research and Outcomes, Amit Kulkarni, to discuss.