Joint MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowships
Introduction - Call Deadline: 4pm, 2 September 2026
Prostate Cancer UK is committed to supporting innovative research of the highest scientific quality, by providing funding for researchers. We’re offering clinical research training fellowships in partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) to researchers with a clinical background, who wish to undertake a PhD or reacquire skills after time away from research.
The Clinical Research Training Fellowship (CRTF) scheme supports clinically active healthcare professionals to undertake a higher research degree, such as a PhD or MD in prostate cancer research. It can also provide post-doctoral funding for those who attained their PhD over five years ago and who now wish to consolidate and refresh their research skills.
Valuable funding for salaries and consumables is offered under both fellowships.
Interested?
More details of this scheme are on the MRC website. To apply for Prostate Cancer UK joint funding, please make sure you type Prostate Cancer UK in the Joint Funders box within the application form.
The details
Applications to the CRTF schemes below are open to registered healthcare professionals, including but not limited to GPs, pharmacists and allied healthcare professionals. The awards are managed by the MRC.
For specific details on the fellowship opportunities available, please see below. Find information on how to apply.
To be eligible for the professional doctorate clinical research training fellowship funding you must:
Be planning to undertake a PhD or similar higher research degree
Be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to study for a PhD, with clear plans for completing your speciality training
Be able to demonstrate ownership of your project and show ambition to follow a clinical academic career linked to prostate cancer research
Funding for your salary is covered by the award and 100% of the justified project costs for up to three years.
Professional doctorate: clinical research training fellowship – UKRI
To be eligible for the capacity building clinical research training fellowships you must:
be a PhD graduate (or equivalent), working outside of research for five or more years
be at an appropriate point in your clinical training with clear plans for completing your speciality training
be looking to refresh your research skills and re-establish research momentum
intend to be clinically active during or after the award
Your salary as well as project costs at 80% full economic cost (FEC) will be funded by the award.
Joint funding
CTRFs offer the possibility of joint funding with us. Simply add ’Prostate Cancer UK’ into the joint-funding box where prompted on the application form. Applications for joint funding should fit within the scope of our Research Strategy.
A joint-funded CRTF application may offer additional opportunities to report on your project, present your work at meetings and take part in professional networking. As an early career researcher, you’ll also be invited to our Making Progress and From Ideas to Innovation events which provide opportunities to establish future collaborations within the scientific community.
Timeline
LAUNCH: Call opens for applications 10 June 2026
DEADLINE: Call closes 2 September 2026 (16:00hrs)
SHORTLISTING: February 2027
DECISION MEETING: 17 to 18 March 2027
NOTIFICATION: Applicants will be notified as to the outcome of their submission within 10 working days of funding decision meeting
Future rounds:
Opens: 21 October 2026, Closes: 13 January 2027
Opens: 14 January 2027 to 7 April 2027
Opens: 10 June 2027 to 2 September 2027
Meet our past awardees
Read more about awards we funded in previous years and check out what life is like as a PhD clinical research fellow.
Contact Info
If you have any questions about eligibility or would like to discuss an application, please email the MRC at [email protected]
