For the first time, research funders across the UK have come together to develop a comprehensive map of funding opportunities available to clinical researchers throughout their careers
This milestone initiative marks a major step forward in supporting and strengthening the clinical academic workforce.
The move follows growing concern about the decline in clinical academics, whose numbers have been falling at an alarming rate. A recent report commissioned by the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) identified one of the key factors contributing to this decline: unclear and inflexible career pathways.
Clinical researchers play a critical role at the interface between the NHS and academia, combining patient care with research and education. Their work is essential to delivering innovation in healthcare and achieving the ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.
In response, the Academy of Medical Sciences, in collaboration with major UK funders, has created a detailed map of the current funding landscape. The aim is to highlight where support is available, identify gaps or overlaps in provision, and lay the groundwork for a more coherent and accessible clinical academic career structure.
This mapping exercise is the first phase in a broader programme of work to support clinical researchers at every stage of their journey.
Explore the National Clinical Research Career Pathway funding map