The National Institute for Health and care Research South Central INSIGHT Programme
The National Institute for Health and care Research (NIHR) South Central INSIGHT programme (SCIP): Inspiring Students into Research Scheme.
This new initiative, launched in June 2024, is part of the NIHR Academy’s expanded portfolio of career support for health and social care professionals.
The University of Southampton and Oxford Brookes University are co-leading NIHR SCIP, in collaboration with University of Portsmouth, University of Winchester and Southampton Solent University.
The NIHR INSIGHT programme funding pays your tuition fees and you'll receive a stipend (living allowance) of up to £20,780 tax-free.
Deadline: 6 April 2026, 11pm (UK time)
Eligibility
You are eligible for this scholarship if you are working towards or have recently completed professional registration with one of the following approved regulatory bodies (not including doctors and dentists) by September 2026.
Academy for Healthcare Science
General Chiropractic Council
General Dental Council
General Medical Council
General Optical Council
General Osteopathic Council
General Pharmaceutical Council
Health and Care Professions Council
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Social Work England
UK Public Health Register
You must also be at an early stage of your career, with up to 5 years full time equivalent practice in your profession. Professions supported by the SCIP programme and eligible to take the MRes Clinical and Health course include:
art/music/ drama therapists
dieticians
healthcare scientists
midwives
nurses
occupational therapists
operating department practitioner
orthoptists
osteopaths
paramedics
pharmacists
physiotherapist
podiatrists
prosthetists & orthotists
public health professionals
radiographers
social workersspeech and language therapists
How to apply
1. Apply to study one of the following eligible SCIP courses:
