Home Info for applicants Grants and Fellowships

Fellowships

Please read the "Guidelines for the Tenure and Process of Review of arc Fellowships" before applying for a fellowship.

Clinical research fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

Clinical research fellowships are awarded to encourage young clinicians in rheumatology, or any related field (including general practice) concerned with the treatment of arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases, to undertake a period of dedicated research leading to a higher degree (usually a PhD). They are open to medical graduates, usually during specialty training, and aim to provide an opportunity for training in clinical and/or laboratory research techniques in a project that demonstrates clear relevance to the aims of arc in a centre of excellence in the UK.

Fellowships are normally awarded for 3 years and successful candidates will be expected to register for a higher degree (usually a PhD). Salaries will be according to age and experience on the appropriate clinical salary scale (see Essential information for applicants). Application may also be made for reasonable running costs although tuition fees will not generally be provided.

These fellowships, which are not renewable, are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines). Application should be made jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor, outlining the proposed programme of research and the nature of the training to be provided. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Please Note: If the design of your proposed project encompasses a clinical study/trial, you should contact the relevant arc Clinical Studies Group (CSG) for advice and guidance, prior to the submission of your application, as your application will need to be accompanied by a letter of support from the appropriate CSG lead. If you are unsure as to whether your study constitutes a clinical study/trial, please contact arc Research Managers, Dr Liz Waterman or Dr Sarah Rudkin.

Educational research fellowships

Please see full details in the Educational grants section.

Orthopaedic clinical research fellowship (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

In partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons of England, this competitive fellowship is offered to trainee orthopaedic surgeons who wish to undertake research relevant to a better understanding and/or treatment of arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Applicants must be a fellow or member of one of the Colleges and in good standing.

Fellowships are normally awarded for 3 years and should be held in an appropriate science department with combined scientific as well as orthopaedic supervision. Successful candidates will be expected to register for a higher degree (usually a PhD) and, during the fellowship, routine clinical work (ie, not related to research) should be limited to no more than 1 programmed activity (4 hours) a week and the host institution must provide a signed statement agreeing to this restriction.

Salaries will be according to age and experience on the appropriate clinical salary scale (see Essential information for applicants). Application may also be made for reasonable running costs although tuition fees will not generally be provided.

This fellowship, which is not renewable, is advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines). Application should be made jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor, outlining the proposed programme of research and the nature of the training to be provided. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Allied health professionals training fellowships (Health Sciences Panel)

These training fellowships are offered to allied health professionals who are, or are eligible to be, registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or other appropriate regulatory body, who are committed to the care of patients with arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases, to undertake training in clinical or basic science research at a UK institution leading to a PhD or other appropriate higher degree. Applicants should have at least 3 years' relevant post-registration work experience.

These fellowships may be full-time over 3 years or part-time over 5 years and will provide a salary commensurate with the applicant’s current salary at the time of appointment on the appropriate clinical salary scale (see Essential information for applicants) with reasonable running costs, although tuition fees will not generally be provided. The host institution will be expected to provide appropriate infrastructure to support the fellowship including formal graduate training programmes and arrangements for monitoring, pastoral care and career guidance.

Career development fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

Career development fellowships aim to attract and retain talented postdoctoral scientists and allied health professionals in research relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases, and to provide outstanding candidates with the opportunity to develop an independent research career and progress towards higher-level appointments. Applicants should normally have at least 3 years' postdoctoral research experience and be associated with an established sponsor, preferably within a multidisciplinary research group in a UK university department or research institute.

Salaries will be according to age and experience on the appropriate scientific salary scale (see Essential information for applicants) and all career development fellows are eligible for an additional fixed salary supplement of £3,000 per annum. Application may also be made for reasonable running costs.

Fellowships will normally be awarded for 5 years and are not renewable.

These fellowships are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines) and application should be made jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor, outlining the proposed programme of research. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Clinician scientist and arc/Academy of Medical Sciences fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

Clinician scientist fellowships are awarded to medical graduates who have completed their first period of research training (in most cases having obtained a PhD) and who are committed to a career in academic medicine. They provide a combination of clinical training with a period of postdoctoral research in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases.

The length of the fellowship will reflect the number of years of specialist training still required by the fellow in addition to 3 years' postdoctoral scientific training. This may range from a maximum of 5 years, for a fellow who has not completed specialist training, to (exceptionally) 3 years for those who have completed their training requirements. Fellows will be paid on the specialist registrar scale at their current level. A consultant's salary may be requested from the point of award of an honorary consultant post for fellows who have obtained their CCST. Candidates may apply for technical support for the duration of the fellowship in addition to running expenses and equipment.

arc/Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship - applications must be accompanied by a tenure-track commitment from the host institution and an agreement to fund 1 year’s salary from the Regional Postgraduate Medical Dean. A mentor, appointed by the Academy, will be available to the fellow for the duration of the award. However, applicants may, if they wish, also be considered for the arc Clinician Scientist Fellowship, as indicated on the application form.

These fellowships, which are not renewable, are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines). Application should be made by the candidate, in association with a named academic sponsor, and should propose an integrated programme combining a scientific research programme relevant to rheumatology with an appropriate clinical training. Candidates will be expected to submit a timetable for their clinical training that has been approved by their postgraduate training committee. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Senior research fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

Senior research fellowships are awarded to outstanding medical or scientific graduates committed to a research career in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases who do not hold an established academic post. Applicants should normally have between 6 and 12 years' postdoctoral research experience and proven ability in establishing an independent research programme, substantiated by publications in international journals and the award of peer-reviewed grants. They should be based in a multidisciplinary environment in a UK university department or research institute.

Salaries will be according to age and experience on the appropriate scientific or clinical salary scale (see Essential information for applicants), and all non-clinical senior research fellows are eligible for an additional fixed salary supplement of £3,000 per annum. Application may also be made for a supporting technician, running costs and essential equipment.

Senior research fellowships will be awarded for 5 years and are not renewable.

These fellowships are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines). Application should be made by the candidate and include a statement from the head of department agreeing to provide appropriate facilities and outlining, if possible, any commitment by the institution to the future career of the applicant. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Travelling fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

These fellowships are awarded to medical graduates, usually during specilty training or equivalent level, or postdoctoral scientists, who wish to undertake research in any discipline relevant to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases in another institution, either abroad or in the UK, for up to one year. The salary of the applicant will be provided plus reasonable running expenses (in the UK) or an allowance for airfares (overseas). These fellowships are not renewable.

Fellowships, to be taken up in the following year, are advertised annually (see Application Deadlines). Applicants should have made their own arrangements with the unit to be visited and should provide details of the proposed research project plus a letter of support from the host institution. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Please click here to access the application form for Travelling fellowships.

Barbara Ansell fellowships in paediatric rheumatology (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

The purpose of these one-year entry-level training fellowships is to stimulate and encourage research in paediatric rheumatology.

The fellowships are open to paediatricians who wish to gain research experience in the rheumatological sciences, and rheumatologists who wish to undertake research in paediatric rheumatology. They provide an opportunity for clinicians to test their suitability for a career in research, and successful applicants will be expected to develop projects in paediatric rheumatology for further fellowship support.

Applicants should normally be at specialty training level with a project that provides training in clinical and/or laboratory research techniques with clear relevance to paediatric rheumatology, in a centre of excellence in the UK.

Fellowships are tenable for one year only and cannot be extended. Salaries will be according to age and experience on the appropriate clinical salary scale (see Essential information for applicants). Application may also be made for reasonable running costs.

There is no deadline for applications which should be made jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor, outlining the proposed programme of research and the nature of the training to be provided.

Career progression fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

This is a flexible award open to clinicians, scientists and allied health professionals who are existing holders of arc fellowships, to provide support for progression to a more senior fellowship or other academic post. Applicants must, at the time of application, currently hold (or be within 12 months after the end of) an arc fellowship.

The fellowship will provide 50% of a full time salary for up to 2 years with appropriate running costs in partnership with the host institution, who will agree to co-fund 50% of the salary. All non-clinical fellows are eligible for an additional fixed salary supplement of £3,000 per annum. These fellowships are not renewable and successful applicants will be expected to secure a fully funded fellowship or academic post by the end of the fellowship.

Applicants are asked to submit an Outline Proposal so that arc can be satisfied that the stated criteria have been met, and ensure that the co-funding arrangement with the host institution is in place before a full grant submission is prepared.

These fellowships are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines). Application should be made by the candidate and include a letter from the host institution confirming support and co-funding arrangements. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interview.

Foundation fellowships (Biomedical Sciences Panel)

Foundation fellowships are open to basic science PhD students in the final year of training, or within 1 year of completing their PhD at the time of application. They aim to retain the best postdoctoral researchers in areas of research relevant to arthritis and musculoskeletal disease and provide an opportunity for fellows to develop independent research ideas at an early stage in their career. Fellowships cannot be taken up until the PhD has been awarded.

These fellowships will normally provide a full-time salary over 3 years according to age and experience on the appropriate scientific salary scale (see Essential information for applicants) and all non-clinical foundation fellows are eligible for an additional fixed salary supplement of £3,000 per annum. Application may also be made for reasonable running costs and small items of equipment.

Application should be made jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor (who should not be the applicant’s previous PhD supervisor), outlining the proposed programme of research and the nature of the training to be provided. Preference will be given to applicants who wish to move to another laboratory in the UK or, if remaining in the same institution, spend a period of time in another laboratory, preferably abroad.

These fellowships are advertised once a year (see Application Deadlines) and shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.