Senior researchers across existing schemes in England (NIHR Senior Investigators), Scotland (NHS Research Scotland Network Leads) and Wales (Health and Care Research Wales Senior Research Leaders) will now be brought together as a community of Senior Investigators. Applications for the NIHR Senior Investigator award will also now be open to researchers from Northern Ireland.
This is in response to the report ‘Clinical researchers in the UK: reversing the decline to improve population health and promote economic growth’, which recognised 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, and social care and public health research in the UK. You can view all current NIHR Senior Investigators 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, and 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.
As announced by Professor Lucy Chappell at a visit to Queen’s University Belfast on 20 June, senior researchers in Northern Ireland will now be eligible to apply for the Senior Investigator award. 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
Applications for the next cohort of the Senior Investigator award will launch on 24 June for researchers working in England and Northern Ireland. NIHR plans to appoint up to two Senior Investigators from Northern Ireland as part of this cohort. To read more and apply see the NIHR Website.
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.
“I encourage those eligible in the Northern Ireland research ecosystem to apply for this award in support of their leadership activities and help enhance opportunities for a healthier future for Northern Ireland.”
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.”
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. They have all demonstrated research leadership, excellence and impact both in Wales and internationally. By working together they can maximise their experience to help achieve our collective goals in driving research and quality."
To apply for this award see the NIHR website.