Share this

Research Areas

News and opportunities

Providing information on the latest news from across the musculoskeletal research community and the clinical research community in Scotland more generally

News from NHS Research Scotland

Final Health Research Authority (HRA) Clinical Trials Guidance Published, effective 28 April 2026 Show more Show less

The Health Research Authority (HRA) has published final guidance to accompany the updated clinical trials regulations which come into force across all four nations of the UK (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales) on 28 April 2026.

Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR), opens 7 October Show more Show less

Tackling complex health and social care problems through large scale multi-method programmatic applied research.

NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) funds collaborative, multidisciplinary programmes of applied research to solve health and social care challenges.

  • Opening date: 7 October 2025 at 1:00 pm
  • Closing date: 2 December 2025 at 1:00 pm
  • Reference ID: 2025/350, 2025/351, 2025/352

This PGfAR funding opportunity is a ring-fenced call for programmes of applied health research designed to respond to the NIHR PGfAR brief: "research inspired by under-represented disciplines and specialisms to drive transformational changes for patients and the public".

Through this ring fenced funding call, PGfAR is seeking to grow a portfolio of applied health and care research programmes with leadership/co-leadership from underrepresented disciplines, specialisms and/or methodologists.

NIHR Reseach Learning Lectures: How do I become a PI? (15 October) Show more Show less

The Research Learning Lectures promotional graphic.

The NIHR Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme is continuing to host the Research Learning Lectures; a series of lectures for anyone in Health and Social Care interested in learning more about research.

The lectures cover a variety of topics relating to basic science, clinical trial methodology and statistics, and more; providing learning and advice for anyone who wishes to know more about research or work towards a career in research/academia. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and put questions to research experts from across the world. For more information, visit their Resource site.

How Do I Become a PI 

  • Date and time: 15 October 2025, 1:10 - 2:00pm
  • Speaker: Professor Anna Goodman (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust)
  • Chair: Holly Speight (NIHR Research Delivery Network CC)
  • Suitable audience: General

More lectures are to be announced soon. Check the NIHR Resource site for when they announce more dates.

To attend these enriching sessions, please register via the Eventbrite page. You can also explore the upcoming lectures in the series and secure your place for future events in advance.  

If you're unable to join the event, a recording will be shared afterwards, so you can catch up on everything at a time that works for you. 

For any queries or further assistance, please feel free to reach out to the Associate PI Scheme team at associatepischeme@nihr.ac.uk.

NHS Research Scotland Fellowships: Now open for applications Show more Show less

The next rounds of the NHS Research Scotland Fellowships are now open for applications, with a losing date of Tuesday 09 December.

The Scheme provides funded research sessions to maintain or build research capacity in primary and secondary care.

This year there are 3 different schemes split by profession, the aims and eligibility of each of the schemes varies so please read the guidance carefully before starting your application.

For any queries on these schemes please contact csofellowships@gov.scot.