Academic careers

History of the scheme

The Academy of Medical Sciences (Savill) Report, "The Tenured Track Clinician Scientist: a new career pathway to promote recruitment into academic medicine" was published in March 2000 and made a number of recommendations to address perceived disincentives against a clinical academic career. The key recommendation contained in the report was 'the immediate introduction of a new, competitively entered clinician scientist scheme additional to existing Specialist Registrar and Clinical Lecturer posts'.

Following on from this pivotal report, in April 2001 the Academy launched The National Clinician Scientist Award Scheme with the aim of addressing longstanding concerns surrounding the pursuit and development of a career in academic medicine.

The Academy has subsequently developed the scheme and, in partnership with the Health Foundation, has supported a growing cohort of clinical academics to pursue and develop of their research within a clinical setting.

Other Research funding bodies that have, since the schemes inception, offered funding through the National Clinician Scientist Scheme include:

Arthritis Research UK
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Cancer Research UK
Department of Health/National Institute for Health Research
ICH/GOSH NHS Trust
Leukaemia Research Fund
Medical Research Council/National Institute for Health Research
Primary Immunodeficiency Association, in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences
The Health Foundation, in partnership with the Academy of Medical Sciences
The Wellcome Trust 

Further development of the scheme: the Clinician Scientist Fellowship Award

In August 2008 the Health Foundation and the Academy of Medical Sciences developed and launched a third round of funding for this scheme which included a strong leadership development component.

Both the Academy of Medical Sciences and The Health Foundation have a shared aspiration to advance clinical research and improve healthcare. By again working in partnership, the Academy and the Health Foundation were able to provide prestigious, targeted, awards utilising the skills and expertise within each organisation. 

As with previous rounds, this third round of fellowship awards aims to nurture a cadre of research-led clinical academics capable of leading development in their discipline by providing up to five years of funding and providing access to academic mentorship through the Academy of Medical Sciences Mentoring and Outreach Scheme.

The Clinician Scientist Fellowship Awards are supported by the knowledge and commitment of the Academy’s highly respected Fellowship and broad-based networks in academia, industry, the charities, parliament, and public service. In addition, the fellowship scheme benefits from The Health Foundation’s expertise in leadership training and strategies to define and deliver better health and healthcare outcomes. Successful applicants also benefit from access to the Academy’s professional networks, connecting award holders with peers and senior academic leaders.

Details of current fellowship awards (2008)

Details of past awardees (2006)

Details of past awardees (2002-04)