Overview
A research active health and care workforce is key to improving the quality of national health and care services and improving outcomes for those who access them. The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) INSIGHT Programme for Yorkshire and Humber is part of a three year programme of NIHR funding to support the development of careers in research.
The NIHR INSIGHT Programme for Yorkshire and Humber offers 30 fully funded Research Master’s studentships annually, spanning several Master’s courses at five universities within the Yorkshire and Humber region. This programme includes both full-time and part-time study options, a dissertation guided by a leading researcher, and a range of research engagement activities. Eligible candidates include newly qualified health and care professionals, recent graduates, and those with up to five years of practice (pro rata).
What is covered?
- A fully funded place on an eligible masters programme to develop your research skills (see eligible programmes below).
- Funding of £20,780 (pro rata for part time study), based on the UKRI recommended stipend 25/26, which can be paid to your employer as a contribution towards backfill for your clinical role, or can be taken as a tax free stipend if you are not employed.
Who is it for?
The NIHR INSIGHT Programme for Yorkshire and Humber is designed for newly qualified, recent graduates and early career professionals who are registered with a professional body (see eligibility criteria below) working in healthcare, public health or social sciences who are passionate about health and social care research. The programme aims to provide these individuals with the academic training and skills necessary to pursue a career in research, from research delivery to academic roles. It offers the opportunity of a fully-funded Masters of Science (MSc) programme, helping students to develop their expertise and contribute to advancements in healthcare.
Why should I apply?
- Career Advancement: You will gain valuable qualifications and research experience, which can open up new career opportunities and pathways in clinical academia.
- Financial Support: The programme offers funded places on eligible master’s programmes and provides stipends or contributions to backfill clinical roles, reducing the financial burden.
- Skill Development: You will develop a range of research skills, which are highly transferable and beneficial in various healthcare settings.
- Networking Opportunities: You will have the chance to collaborate with leading researchers and professionals, expanding your professional network and fostering potential future collaborations.
Whare are the benefits for my organisation?
- Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: Employees gain advanced research skills and knowledge, which they can bring back to their roles, improving the overall quality of care and innovation within the organisation.
- Increased Research Capacity: By supporting staff in their academic pursuits, organisations can increase their capacity for conducting high-quality research, leading to better patient outcomes and more effective healthcare practices.
- Staff Retention and Satisfaction: Investing in employees’ professional development can lead to higher job satisfaction and retention rates, as staff feel valued and supported in their career growth.
- Funding Support: The programme provides funding that can be used as a contribution towards backfilling clinical roles, ensuring that patient care is not compromised while staff members are engaged in their studies.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be:
- An early career professional (up to 5 years post registration, pro-rata for part time colleagues)
- Working towards or have recently completed your professional registration with one of the approved regulatory bodies (not including doctors and dentists):
- Academy for Healthcare Science
- General Chiropractic Council
- General Dental Council (not including dentists)
- General Medical Council (not including doctors)
- General Optical Council
- General Osteopathic Council
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Social Work England
- UK Public Health Register
- Applicants must be either living and working, or living (if you are not yet working) in the Yorkshire and Humber region. If you live close to the regional border and wish to study in another region, please contact the team to discuss
If you are a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse, we encourage you to contact the team to discuss your eligibility.
Unfortunately doctors and dentists are not eligible to apply for this studentship.
At this time we are only able to accept applications from UK based candidates eligible for home fees.
If you are working in the UK on a skilled worker visa, any courses you start in the UK should not interfere with your sponsored job. This means you must keep working in your sponsored job role alongside your studies. You will always need to check that your employer is happy for you to start studying, and make sure that your study hours don’t clash with your contracted work hours. This may make it difficult to join the INSIGHT programme. The programme team are not in a position to give any advice on visas.
What options do I have if I am not eligible to apply?
The INSIGHT Programme is not available to doctors and dentists. If that’s you, you could consider alternative opportunities:
- Awards available through the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) Programme:
- Activities offered by the INSPIRE scheme coordinated by the Academy of Medical Sciences
The INSIGHT Programme is for students and professionals at an early stage of their practitioner career. If you are at a more advanced stage of your registered profession, and are looking to start your career in research, the NIHR offers a number of other predoctoral funding opportunities.
The Clinician Researcher Credentials Framework provides Masters level qualifications for experienced healthcare practitioners from all professional backgrounds who want to take on leadership roles in clinical research delivery.
Explore NIHR support and information tailored to your profession
Eligible programmes for 2025/26
The opportunities available for Academic Year 2025/26 are listed below.
Please note that as well as meeting the eligibility criteria for the INSIGHT programme, you must also meet the university entry requirements of your chosen course of study to be considered for a studentship. Details of the entry requirements for each course can be found on the course website.
We have put together a brief overview of each course along with mock timetables for each course to help you plan your time away from work with your line manager. Please note that these timetables are subject to change. Any questions should be directed to their postgraduate admissions department.
For more detailed information about a specific course, please visit the webpage of the host university, or contact their postgraduate admissions department.
University of Bradford – MSc Social Sciences Research for Health Care
University of Hull – MSc Health Research
University of Leeds – MSc Health Informatics with Data Science
University of Leeds – MSc Health Research
University of Sheffield – MSc Clinical Research
University of Sheffield – MPH Public Health (Health Service Research)
University of York – MSc Health Research
University of York – MSc Mental Health Research
How to apply
Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are now open! Please complete this short MS Forms to apply for the INSIGHT funding 25/26. Please note that incomplete forms cannot be saved.
Please ensure you have reviewed the courses we are offering this year and discuss your interest with your line manager as soon as possible. Early conversations are beneficial.
If you are currently employed, please ensure you have discussed your application with your line manager to secure their support for the time needed away from work and for mentoring during your study period.
You will need to provide a signed letter of support from your line manager. You can find the template here and also linked in the application form.
If you have already secured a place on one of the above Research Master’s courses starting in September 2025, you will be eligible to apply for the INSIGHT programme funding retrospectively, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. Please note that this is a competitive process, and being awarded INSIGHT programme funding is not guaranteed.
If you have any additional support, access or communication needs throughout the application process, please contact us at at yh.insight.nihr@leeds.ac.uk to discuss options. We will try to make reasonable adjustments to help you address any barriers to applying.
We recommend you write your answers to the ‘white space’ questions (18, 33, 34 and 35) in word before pasting into this form to enable you to check the word count. Please note that incomplete applications cannot be saved.
Application Process
We encourage applications from underrepresented and diverse groups and will consider applications through an equitable selection process. Both full and part-time courses are on offer to ensure that the scheme is accessible to as many candidates as possible.
- Discuss your application with your line manager
- Complete your INSIGHT Application form
- Submit your letter of employers support alongside your INSIGHT application form
- Your application will be checked for eligibility. Please note that we will be checking the eligibility of applicants as applications are submitted, and we may contact you by email to clarify your eligibility before applications close.
- Applications will be anonymised and reviewed by a panel consisting of representatives from each of the partner Universities.
- Await the outcome of your application
- Successful applicants will then be asked to complete an application to your chosen course
Key Dates
Launch Webinar – 27th February 2025 at 17.00 – you can watch the recording here
Applications open 3rd March 2025 at 09.00
Drop in Webinar – 19th March at 12.30 – you can watch the recording here
Line Managers Webinar – 2nd April at 12.00
Drop in Webinar – 28th April at 17.00
Applications close 16th May 2025
Notification of outcome by 13th June 2025
To register for any of the webinars, please complete this form.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions. We recommend you read through these before completing your application.
Contact Us
If you are not able to find the answer to your question in our FAQ, you can send the team an email by completing the form below