BHP part of new regional programme to support early career researchers
The University of Birmingham is leading a new partnership which aims to strengthen support for early career clinical researchers, thanks to major funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC), helping build research capacity across the region and beyond.
The MRC has announced funding for the establishment of 10 Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR), working with NHS organisations to benefit approximately 200 clinicians across the UK. The investment brings together more than 50 research organisations and over 60 NHS organisations across the UK.
The University – a founding member of BHP – will host the West Midlands Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (WMRACR), a partnership programme in collaboration with fellow BHP member Aston University, and the universities of Warwick and Keele, aimed at increasing the number of clinical academics in the region. As Birmingham’s strategic research partnership, BHP is one of three academic-NHS alliances within the WMRACR.
Clinicians (including doctors, nurses, dentists, midwives, therapists and pharmacists) play a vital role in delivering patient care and identifying the most pressing challenges faced by health services. Despite serving around 12% of the UK population, the West Midlands currently has only 6.8% of the national clinical academic workforce. WMRACR aims to address this imbalance through a coordinated, region-wide approach that strengthens opportunities for aspiring clinical academics.
The WMRACR combines expertise in discovery science, primary care, real-world research and widening participation and will create a shared framework for collaboration, enabling joint supervision, access to specialist facilities, and opportunities to work across institutions.
The WMRACR will focus on key career transition points for clinical academics, particularly the move from PhD to independence and returning to research after time in clinical roles or career breaks. Researchers will benefit from tailored support and structured fellowship development through the University of Birmingham Fellowship Academy.
Professor Lorraine Harper, Professor of Nephrology at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Health Partners Managing Director, said: “By bringing together universities, NHS organisations and regional partners, WMRACR will provide coordinated support for talented clinicians at critical stages of their research careers, helping to accelerate innovation and improve patient care across the region.”