NIHR Three Schools’ Dementia Research Programme Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2026 (UK) — Funding up to £160,000

Applications are now open for the NIHR Three Schools’ Dementia Research Programme Post-Doctoral Fellowships 2026 in England. The fellowship supports early-career researchers who want to build an independent career in dementia research, offering funded research time, training, and collaboration across leading UK academic centres.

About the Fellowship

The programme is run jointly by three National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) schools:

• School for Primary Care Research (SPCR)

• School for Public Health Research (SPHR)

• School for Social Care Research (SSCR)

Together, they form the “Three Schools” collaboration. The Dementia Research Programme, hosted by SSCR, focuses on improving real-world dementia care, support systems, and quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.

This fellowship is designed to help post-doctoral researchers move from supervised work to independent research leadership.

Fellows will be able to:

• Lead their own research project

• Publish findings

• Build national collaborations

• Gain new research methods and skills

• Prepare for larger grants such as NIHR Advanced Fellowships

Funding & Duration

• Funding: Up to £160,000

• Duration: Up to 24 months (full-time)

• Part-time option: Minimum 0.6 FTE (3 days/week) allowed

• Covers: salary, institutional overheads, research costs, training, and conference travel

The fellowship must begin no later than December 2026 and finish by January 2029.

Application Deadline

📅 5:00 PM — Friday, 1 May 2026

Applications must be submitted by email before the deadline.

Research Areas (What Projects Should Focus On)

Projects must relate to dementia care and impact real-world practice. Suitable topics include:

• Improving wellbeing and independence of people living with dementia

• Supporting carers and families

• Organisation and delivery of dementia care services

• Workforce and healthcare system support

• Reducing inequalities in dementia care access or outcomes

• Community-based dementia support

• Patient and public involvement in research

The programme strongly values research that influences policy and practice, not just academic theory.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD awarded within the last 3 years (or have submitted thesis with confirmed viva date)

• Degree field: public health, primary care, social care, or related discipline relevant to dementia

• Show commitment to a research career in dementia

• Demonstrate research potential (publications, collaboration, or research experience)

• Be a UK citizen or have the legal right to work in the UK for the full fellowship period

• Be hosted by a Three Schools member institution

• Have a supervisory team led by a senior dementia researcher

What the Selection Panel Looks For

Applicant

• Academic achievement and research record

• Commitment to dementia research

• Collaboration experience

• Knowledge of real-world dementia challenges

Project

• Clear research question and strong design

• Feasible plan within 24 months

• Public and patient involvement

• Equality, diversity, and inclusion consideration

• Potential impact on healthcare policy or care practice

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the full application package by email:

• Application form

• Costing template

• CV (max 2 pages)

• One-page cover letter

The application must also be signed by:

• Applicant

• Lead supervisor

• Host institution/department authority

• Finance or administrative signatory
  (If currently in practice employment, a line manager signature is also required.)

Send applications to:
[email protected]

Fellowship Timeline

• February 2026 — Call opens

• February–April 2026 — Application preparation

• 1 May 2026 — Deadline

• May 2026 — Shortlisting

• 10–11 June 2026 — Interviews

• July 2026 — Results announced

• August 2026 — Contracting

• Sept 2026–Aug 2028 — Fellowship period

Why This Fellowship Is Important

Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health challenges worldwide. This programme is not only funding research — it is building future experts who can improve care systems, community support, and healthcare policy. For researchers interested in public health or social care impact, this fellowship offers both resources and national-level collaboration.

It is especially valuable for post-doctoral researchers who want to transition from contributing to research projects to leading them.

Contact

For questions about the fellowship or application:
Email: [email protected]

Practical Tip: The review panel includes professionals from different fields. Write your proposal in clear everyday language and focus on how your research will help people living with dementia and those who care for them.

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