The Forward North PhD Academy for Health Professionals is a partnership between the Universities of Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield to combine their strengths in biomedical and health research. With a £13m funding award from Wellcome, Forward North builds on 10 years of excellence in supporting the clinical academics of the future demonstrated by its predecessor, 4Ward North.

We aim to enhance the quality of clinical academic research training in northern England. We do this by encouraging applications from a diverse and inclusive range of healthcare professionals, including nursing, midwifery, and allied health.

With Forward North, we have reimagined and strengthened our approach to support pioneering research and career development, including those from non-traditional health research backgrounds.

On this page:

1. 1. About the programme
   2. Eligibility
   3. How to apply
   4. Supervisors
   5. Academy leadership
   6. Academy fellows
   7. Placements
   8. Contact us

We will make 27 funded PhD fellowships available over five years. Successful applicants will become Forward North PhD fellows, a prestigious marker of esteem for a future career combining research with clinical practice.

Forward North PhD Fellowships are three years in duration and should include supervision from at least two of the Forward North institutions.

Each individual PhD will be hosted by one of our five institutions: The University of Manchester, the University of Leeds, the University of Liverpool, Newcastle University and The University of Sheffield.

Forward North is committed to supporting those from non-traditional backgrounds to develop their academic research careers, which is why we also offer up to six months of pre-doctoral support for Health Care Professionals with limited research experience who demonstrate potential for academic research. The supported research time is aimed at developing skills needed for doctoral-level research and is tailored to each individual and their circumstances.

All Forward North Fellows also have the opportunity to apply for a funded period of support following their PhD study to develop their research careers. For each Fellow there is a total of six months (or FTE equivalent) for pre- and/or post-PhD support.

We will collaborate with the Francis Crick Institute (FCI), industry partners, and the Destination STEM Placements Programme over training opportunities both during and after the PhD programme.

Those successful in securing a fellowship from the Academy will receive:

• a training programme with leading clinical academics and industry partners as well as bespoke mentoring;
• pre-doctoral opportunities for professionals requiring research experience and a post-doctoral option to bridge the gap to intermediate fellowships;
• an opportunity to compete for our Leading Scholars’ Programme in collaboration with the FCI, which offers 12 months of research support immediately after the PhD to pump-prime postdoctoral clinical career development applications;
• a key skills development opportunity by supervising and mentoring STEM students.

Those who are shortlisted but are not successful in securing a fellowship will receive:

• help in building their project;
• guidance, advice and mentorship through the application process for an equivalent research training award from other funders.