DRWF among charities set for £37 million boost to support early career researchers
Funding awarded to 89 charities to sustain growth of researchers at the start of their careers.
An award of £37 million in funding will be shared amongst medical research charities to support early career researchers, with DRWF among those set to benefit.
The funding was announced by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in partnership with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC).
The aim of the funding award is to help medical research charities like DRWF continue to play a vital role in igniting research careers, building research capacity and sustaining the talent pipeline.
The funding is set to be awarded to 89 charities covering a wide range of health conditions. The majority of the investment will be used to support more than 800 charity-funded researchers with their research, learning, and career development.
Charities awarded the funds will be encouraged to use the award to embed research across the health, social care, and public health system. This will include engaging with the health and care workforce to raise awareness of research in under-represented professions and settings.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said: “This year, NIHR is celebrating 20 years of investing in research and the development of our research workforce. Our partnerships with medical research charities have been integral to this from the start. Working together we have built research expertise and empowered experts to tackle the biggest challenges in health and care, ensuring that breakthroughs in key areas continue to reach the people who need them most.
“Through this £37 million investment, we will support hundreds of early-career researchers across England, creating our research leaders of the future."
Health Minister Preet Gill said: “The UK is a global life sciences superpower, and medical research charities play a vital role in developing life-saving treatments.
“This £37 million government investment will strengthen our workforce by supporting early-career researchers to become the science leaders of the future, helping to drive the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
“This is our 10 Year Health Plan in action, backing the next generation of researchers to build an NHS that is fit for the future.”
Nicola Perrin, Chief Executive of AMRC, said: “AMRC warmly welcomes this funding and the government’s recognition of the vital role medical research charities play in supporting the next generation of researchers.
“Charities do more than invest - they connect researchers with patients and communities, grounding research in real-world needs and inspiring long-term careers.
“We are proud to have helped bring this forward and hope it will strengthen the clinical research workforce by retaining talent, accelerating innovation and improving outcomes for patients.”
In addition to DRWF’s work supporting people living with diabetes through research, the funding will support charities across a number of key areas, including cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and neurological conditions. It will also impact charities covering a wide geographical spread.
DRWF is a member of the AMRC, a membership body representing the leading medical and health research charities who deliver high-quality research that saves and improves lives.
Working with member charities and partners, AMRC aims to support voluntary sector effectiveness and advance medical research by developing best practice, providing information and guidance, improving public dialogue about research and science, and influencing government.
Sarah Tutton, CEO of DRWF, said: “Ongoing funding for early career researchers in the UK is vital to sustain the pipeline of talent that drives innovation and discovery. These researchers represent the future of scientific leadership, and sustained investment enables them to build skills, pursue novel ideas, and deliver breakthroughs that benefit our patient communities and society at large. At a time when many charities are facing significant fundraising challenges, financial support such as this £37 million investment is not only welcomed but essential to maintain momentum across the research landscape to ensure that progress is not slowed or lost. We are incredibly grateful to be receiving support for our clinical Fellowship programme this year.”
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