' fill='%23ffffff'%3E%3Cpath d='M283.94,167.31l386.39,516.64L281.5,1104h87.51l340.42-367.76L984.48,1104h297.8L874.15,558.3l361.92-390.99 h-87.51l-313.51,338.7l-253.31-338.7H283.94z M412.63,231.77h136.81l604.13,807.76h-136.81L412.63,231.77z'%3E%3C/path%3E%3C/g%3E%3C/svg%3E%0A){kind=small}
New community of senior researchers working across all four nations will mark ‘significant step forward’
Plans for senior UK researchers working across existing four nations schemes to unite as a community have been called a ‘significant step forward’ by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office
The collective of Senior Investigators will include NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Network Clinical Leads, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators from England, and Health and Care Research Wales Senior Research Leaders.
Applications for the NIHR Senior Investigator award will also now be open to researchers from Northern Ireland.
The move is in response to the ‘Clinical researchers in the UK: reversing the decline to improve population health and promote economic growth’ report which championed the need for “visible leadership” from established researchers to inspire future clinical researchers.
The NIHR Senior Investigator award recognises “the most prominent and prestigious researchers of applied health and social care”.
Senior Investigators help shape the direction of health, social care and public health research in the UK. All current NIHR Senior Investigators can be viewed via the Senior Investigator Directory. As part of the community, they will:
- Influence national research plans
- Act as mentors and role models for early-career researchers
- Lead impactful health, social care and public health research
- Act as ambassadors across health, public health, and social care and public health systems
- Help develop research capacity and talent in underrepresented groups, specialities and areas geographies
NHS Research Scotland Network Leads in Scotland and Senior Research Leaders in Wales will join forces with NIHR to form the cross-nation Senior Investigator community. This means expanded invitations to annual networking events and inclusion in the Senior Investigator Directory.
Euan Dick, Head of Chief Scientist Office for the Scottish Government, said: “NHS Research Scotland Clinical Leads are key advocates for research, driving high-quality clinical trials and improving patient outcomes across the UK. As leaders in their specialties, they provide vital expertise and support.
“It is a significant step forward that they will now be part of a wider Senior Investigator community, and we’re confident they will make a valuable contribution — championing clinical research excellence nationwide.”
Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR Chief Executive and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Health and Social Care, said: “I am pleased that, as a Senior Investigator community, we are joining forces and working even more closely together. This reflects the full diversity and expertise of the UK’s health and care research landscape.
“NIHR is delighted to invite senior research leaders in Northern Ireland to apply to our NIHR Senior Investigators Awards.
“It is vital we promote a visible, coordinated UK-wide community of leaders across health and care research. It will maximise opportunities for all to collaborate, engage with policymakers, spark new partnerships and influence the future of research across the health, social care and public health system."
Welcoming the Senior Investigators award extending to Northern Ireland, Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor and Director of Health and Social Care Research and Development for Northern Ireland, said: “Health and Social Care Research & Development is pleased to further our partnership with NIHR, reinforcing our shared commitment to improving population health through world-leading research.
“From this year, researchers working in Northern Ireland will be able to apply for the NIHR Senior Investigator scheme. This will bring together a larger community of research leaders and will align all four nations in becoming part of this NIHR UK-wide initiative.
“Senior leaders can maximise opportunities to collaborate, engage and influence the future of research across the health, social care and public health system, whilst ensuring there will be a lasting effect for research-active professionals.”
Gareth Cross, co-Director of Health and Care Research Wales, said: “I really welcome this fantastic opportunity for our Senior Research Leaders to become part of the NIHR’s Senior Investigator community and to benefit from the opportunities available. By working together, they can maximise their experience to help achieve our collective goals in driving research and quality."
Publication date: 9th July 2025
