Deadline: 08-Oct-2025
The Advanced Clinical Fellowships provide funding to support clinicians who aim to build a career that combines dementia research with clinical practice. This opportunity allows dementia clinicians to dedicate time and resources to research while continuing their clinical roles, ultimately helping them progress toward establishing independent research programs.
Funding of up to £750,000 is available. The award covers 50% of the applicant’s salary to allow for research time, along with project costs not already funded elsewhere. Eligible costs include training, overseas development opportunities, travel, conference attendance, and patient and public involvement. Fellowships are expected to be completed within five years, although flexible arrangements can be proposed for balancing clinical and research time.
Applicants must be clinically qualified, currently active in the UK, and show a strong track record in impactful research. They should demonstrate increasing experience in publishing, presenting, and reviewing, as well as clear steps toward research independence and collaboration. Research projects must align with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s strategic focus on the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of dementia. Applications involving clinical trials are particularly welcomed.
A UK-based host institution must be secured, along with a sponsor—an established investigator—who will support the fellow’s research program. While collaborators outside the UK may be included, the host institution must commit facilities and support. Joint funding with the host institution is possible but must be outlined clearly in the application. Letters of support are required from the host and all collaborating organizations.
Applications undergo a triage process by three non-conflicted expert reviewers from the Grant Review Board (GRB), who assess the application based on their expertise. Shortlisted applicants are invited to respond to reviewer feedback in a rebuttal phase. This may include a live rebuttal during the interview for prospective fellows.
If the research involves human participants, the application also undergoes Lived Experience Review. Applicants must submit a Plain English summary of their project, which is reviewed and scored by volunteers with lived experience. These scores and comments are factored into the GRB’s final evaluation.
Selected applicants will be interviewed during the GRB meeting. The interview panel includes GRB members, people with lived experience of dementia, and the Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK. Applicants will deliver a 5-minute presentation during the interview, outlining their project and its expected impact.
Final funding decisions are made based on the detailed assessments and discussions held during the review process.
For more information, visit Alzheimer’s Research UK.
