The NIHR Integrated Academic Training programme supports the training of doctors and dentists in England to develop their clinical academic careers and is delivered through a number of schemes that rely on close partnership between the NIHR, NHSE, medical and dental schools and NHS organisations.
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs)
Medical and dental ACFs spend 75% of their time undertaking specialist clinical training and 25% undertaking research training. ACFs are only available to medically and dentally qualified candidates during the early stages of their specialty training and are aimed at those who show outstanding potential for a career in academia.
ACFs have a maximum duration of 3 years Full Time Equivalent (FTE), or 4 years for GPs. During this time, alongside clinical training, ACFs will be able to develop their academic skills and be supported in preparing an application for a research training fellowship (to undertake a PhD). Success in these applications is defined as the endpoint of an ACF.
NIHR Clinical Lectureship (CL)
NIHR Clinical Lectureships (CLs) are specialty training posts that incorporate academic training. CLs spend 50% of their time undertaking specialist clinical training and 50% undertaking research training. CLs are employed by a University and hold an honorary contract in the NHS organisation in which they work.
Medical CLs are aimed at those who are relatively advanced in their specialty training (or fully qualified GPs), dental CLs can allow entry to specialty training. CL applicants will have completed a research doctorate or equivalent and show outstanding potential for continuing a career in academic medicine or dentistry.
The duration of a CL is for a maximum of four years or until CCT/CCST is reached, and it is expected that CLs will complete or be close to completing their specialty training during this period.
