Applications for the Masters programme 2026/2027 closed on the 29th May 2026.
If you are a registered pharmacist, pharmacy technician or radiographer and would like to apply for funding for a September 2026 start date, please contact us as soon as possible on [email protected]
To register your interest for further rounds of funding, please complete the form on the contact us page or email – [email protected]
Overview
A research active health, social care and public health workforce is key to improving the quality of services and outcomes for those who access them. The NIHR INSIGHT Programme for Yorkshire and Humber is part of a three year programme of NIHR funding to help equip practitioners with the skills and training to undertake research and showcase the range of research careers available.
The NIHR INSIGHT Programme for Yorkshire and Humber offers up to 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, care and public health 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 £21,805 (pro rata for part time study), based on the UKRI recommended stipend 26/27, 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, social care or public health who are passionate about 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 programme, helping students to develop their expertise and contribute to advancements in healthcare.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply, you’ll need to be:
- An undergraduate student, postgraduate student or early career professional up to 5 years post registration (pro-rata for part time colleagues). Please note that if you were educated, qualified and registered internationally before commencing practice in the UK, the years of experience must be calculated from the date of qualification in your home country.
- 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 as the programme is built around the regional workforce. If you live close to the regional border and wish to study in another region, please contact the team to discuss
Applications are open to Registered Public Health Practitioners or Public Health Practitioners that are working towards UKPHR Practitioner Registration, this includes those currently on practitioner registration support schemes, or those with experience who may be eligible to apply to the support schemes in the near future. Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss further.
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 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.
We recognise that an individual may not easily fit into these categories. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact [email protected].
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.
What are 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.
Evidence shows that clinically research-active organisations have better outcomes, a happier workforce and benefit the health and care system overall. Find out more about the benefits of being active in research:
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 Masters for Research Delivery Leadership 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 2026/27
The opportunities available for Academic Year 2026/27 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 draft 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 relating to these courses should be directed to the appropriate 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 – Public Health MPH*
University of Sheffield – MPH Public Health (Health Service Research)
University of York – MSc Health Research
University of York – MSc Mental Health Research
*The Public Health MPH at Sheffield is accessible to INSIGHT-funded students, though optional module choices are limited. Please see page 10 and 11 of the timetable document for further information.
How to apply
Applications for the final round of INSIGHT masters funding closed on the 29th May 2026. To register your interest for any future rounds of funding, please complete the form on our Contact Us page or email us at [email protected].
Please ensure you have reviewed the courses we are offering this year, including the draft timetables 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 masters courses starting in September 2026, 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.
We are committed to removing barriers to inclusion wherever possible. Our aim is to ensure everyone can participate fully. To achieve this, we strive to make our processes as inclusive as possible, which may mean making adjustments during the application process. If you require a reasonable adjustment to support your application, please contact us at [email protected].
We recommend you write your answers to the ‘white space’ questions (19, 34, 35 and 36) 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 to [email protected] before midnight on the 29th May 2026.
- 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
Applications open 2nd March 2026 at 09.00
Launch Webinar – 2nd March 2026 at 17.00 – View the recording here
Line Managers Webinar – 8th April 2026 at 17.00 – Register here
Drop in Webinar – 7th May 2026 at 13.00 – Register here
Applications close at midnight on the 29th May 2026. Line managers support letters must also be received by this date and time.
Notification of outcome on or before 30th June 2026.
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