Last Updated on November 3, 2025
New internship programmes funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) have awarded £10.5m to help research careers. The 12 regional programmes will aim to develop and deliver innovative research internships to inspire registered health and social care professionals.
The new programmes are part of the Health and Care Professional (HCP) Internship Programme, which provides flexible and tailored programmes to increase research skills and leadership. According to NIHR, it will play an important role in building research capability and capacity across England and ensure opportunities are available to all regardless of geography.
Each programme is collaborative, led by an NHS trust and including partner organisations. They will provide 276 bespoke internships each year for three years. The HCP Internship Programme is aimed at pre-doctoral applicants.
Each programme will be available to a wide range of registered professionals, including:
- Nurses.
- Midwives.
- Allied health professionals.
- Pharmacists.
- Healthcare scientists.
- Social workers.
- Public health professionals.
- Other registered professionals within health and social care (not including doctors and dentists).
The HCP Internship Programme is based on the previous Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Internship Programme but with a revised and expanded eligibility and scope. This is part of the NIHR Academy’s expanded portfolio of career support for health and care professionals.
According to NIHR, the HCP Internship Programme also links in with the 10 Year Health Plan for England which aims to make research, development and innovation a core part of everyday clinical and practice work. It aims to reverse the decline in clinical academic roles and create more opportunities for individuals to get involved in research.
NIHR's internships provide wide ranging research opportunities depending on experience, areas of interest and career aspirations of applicants, and can include:
- Placements in research delivery, research and development departments or university-based research groups.
- Gaining experience of public involvement in research and inclusive research design.
- Developing research skills and knowledge.
- Supporting knowledge exchange and evidence-based practice.
The HCP Internship Programme includes a wide range of organisations such as NHS trusts, universities and local authorities.
The lead institutions within each region are:
- South London - Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
- North East and North Cumbria - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.
- South Central - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
- South East - Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- South West Central - University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
- East Midlands - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
- East of England - James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- West Midlands - Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- North West - NHS Research and Development North West.
- North London - Barts Health NHS Trust.
- South West Peninsula - University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
- Yorkshire and Humber - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Commenting on the new funding announcement, Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy, said, 'The NIHR is passionate about people and developing careers in research. The new Health and Care Professional Internship Programme is vital for developing the skills for future generations of health and care researchers.
'Developing skills in research and innovation is an important part of training a workforce fit for the future, to tackle health inequalities and improve health outcomes. These opportunities are critical for building a research active workforce within health and care and exposing health and social care professionals to the benefits of research. I look forward to seeing the positive impact and difference the programme will have.'
Find out more about the HCP Internship Programme on the NIHR website.
In other news, Sir Julian Hartley is stepping down as Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with immediate effect.