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Network encourages applications to new Primary Care Research Fellowship scheme for GPs
Applications are being invited by the NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Primary Care Network for its Researcher Development Fellowship, supporting GPs to build a clinical academic career
Successful candidates will receive the title of NRS Primary Care Research Fellow, with the scheme allowing them protected time from April 2026 up to March 2029, subject to satisfactory review.
The Network believes that this is a great opportunity for GPs to enhance their career ambitions, while also strengthening the research culture across the priority area of Primary Care.
During the projected three-year period, successful candidates will receive funding for 0.2 whole time equivalent (WTE) and be given the chance to engage in the following activities:
- Clinical research planning and protocol development
- Carrying out clinical research
- Leading or hosting multi-centre trials as Chief Investigator or local Principal Investigator
- Participation in commercial research
- Dissemination of research findings, such as writing papers and presentations at major national and international scientific meetings
- Grant writing
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 9 December, prior to interviews taking place in January/February next year, followed by formal Fellowship commencement in April.
Network Manager Dr Ellen Drost said: “We expect that successful candidates for this award will already have significant research experience and will be able to lead their own research activity. This research experience would be most easily evidenced by a PhD or other higher degree with a significant research component.
“The Fellowship award provides funding for two sessions a week of protected time to conduct and lead clinical research.
“We consider it a great opportunity to receive significant support while fostering research growth — both personal and for Primary Care in general — and would urge any GPs considering this career route to start their applications soon.
“While the scheme is not designed to help preparation to apply for and conduct a PhD, it is a key step towards developing new capacity for commercial research delivery in out-of-hospital settings and nurturing our future research leaders.”
Those looking to apply must be:
- In receipt of their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) for General Practice
- Working at least part-time in a GP surgery
- Requesting a salary in line with that of a consultant salary within the first 5 years — no additional bonuses
- Able to evidence research experience
Applicants should also look to identify a mentor appropriate to their clinical field and proposed research who can be asked to fill in forms on your behalf to upload to the system.
This would normally be a senior full-time academic clinician. In addition, it may be appropriate to have a mentor from a partner University.
Applicants must also ensure financial information is submitted from the relevant R&D office while giving a person with the appropriate authority from your host institution access to your application so they can confirm the host agreement to the arrangements.
The application should be made via the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Flexi-grant System portal:
Potential applicants might find it helpful to discuss the process with NRS Primary Care Lead Dr Bhautesh Jani in the first instance.
Publication date: 6th November 2025
