Many clinicians have a passion for improving patient care through research but struggle to find the funding needed to pursue a doctoral degree while continuing their professional development.
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The Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Doctoral Clinical Fellowships provides generous financial support for clinicians who have limited research experience and do not yet hold a PhD. It enables successful applicants to complete a higher research degree, usually a PhD, while developing the skills, experience, and research profile needed for an independent research career.
If you are committed to advancing dementia research and want to contribute to improving treatment, diagnosis, or prevention, this fellowship offers an excellent opportunity to begin that journey.
2026 Alzheimer’s Research UK Doctoral Clinical Fellowships Summary
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) |
| Fellowship Name | Doctoral Clinical Fellowships |
| Funding | Up to £400,000 |
| Duration | Up to 4 years full time or 6 years part time |
| Eligible Applicants | UK based clinicians without a PhD |
| Research Area | Dementia treatment, diagnosis and prevention |
| Study Level | Doctoral (Typically PhD) |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Clinical Practice Time | Up to 0.2 FTE may be requested |
About the Alzheimer’s Research UK Doctoral Clinical Fellowships
The ARUK Doctoral Clinical Fellowships is one of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s career development awards. Its purpose is to support healthcare professionals who are into clinical research while remaining connected to patient care.
This fellowship invests in the long term development of future dementia researchers. Successful applicants receive supervision, advanced research training, and financial support that allows them to focus on their meaningful scientific work.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is especially interested in research that contributes to better treatments, earlier diagnosis, and more effective prevention of dementia, though supports projects ranging from laboratory based research to translational and clinical studies.
Applicants who wish to gain experience working on clinical trials alongside their doctoral research are also encouraged to apply.
ARUK Doctoral Clinical Fellowships Benefits
- The fellowship covers the applicant’s salary at Specialty Registrar level or an equivalent university salary scale.
- Funding is available for research expenses that are necessary to complete the approved project.
- Applicants receive support for specialist training that strengthens their research skills and prepares them for future independent fellowships.
- Funding includes reasonable travel and subsistence costs for attending conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings.
- Applicants can request funding to support meaningful patient and public involvement throughout their research.
- Doctoral Clinical Fellows can request protected clinical practice time of up to 0.2 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) where appropriately justified.
- The total fellowship value is up to £400,000, depending on the approved budget and duration.
Clinical Trial Placement Opportunity
This opportunity is designed for fellows who want to build practical experience in dementia clinical trials while completing their research degree. Many early career clinicians have limited opportunities to participate in the planning, management, and delivery of clinical trials. Through this placement, fellows can develop practical skills that will strengthen both their research careers and future fellowship applications. Successful applicants who choose this option can receive up to £15,000 in additional funding to support their placement.
Placement Models Available
Applicants can choose the placement model that best fits their research programme.
Model A
Complete a three year fellowship followed by a one year full time clinical trial placement.
Model B
Complete a four year fellowship with the clinical trial placement integrated throughout the programme. Fellows can spend up to 0.25 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) on placement activities over four years.
Model C
Applicants may propose an alternative placement model lasting up to four years. The proposed arrangement should include a clear explanation and justification within the application.
What Will You Learn During the Placement?
The placement provides hands on experience in important areas of clinical research. Participants gain experience in:
- Clinical trial design
- Protocol development
- Regulatory approval processes
- Ethics submissions
- Participant recruitment
- Informed consent procedures
- Data collection and management
- Outcome measurement
- Trial management
- Working within multidisciplinary research teams
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should:
Be a Registered Healthcare Professional
Eligible professionals include, but are not limited to:
- Neurologists
- Clinical psychologists
- Nurses
- Allied health professionals
- Other registered healthcare professionals
Have Limited Research Experience
Applicants should not already hold a PhD and should be seeking doctoral research training.
Demonstrate Research Potential
Although extensive research experience is not required, applicants should show evidence of previous research activities, such as:
- Published papers
- Conference presentations
- Research reports
- Other academic outputs
Show Commitment to Dementia Research
Applicants should clearly explain their long term interest in dementia research and demonstrate enthusiasm for developing the research skills needed for an independent academic career.
Researchers Returning After a Career Break
Applications are welcomed from individuals returning to research after taking a career break.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be clinically qualified and actively practising in the United Kingdom.
- Demonstrate steady research development through previous research activities.
- Show evidence of research outputs such as journal publications or conference presentations.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to building a career in dementia research.
- Applicants must also provide:
- A letter of support from the Host Institution.
- Letters of support from collaborating organisations where applicable.
Project Requirements
The proposed research must:
- Align with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research strategy.
- Focus on dementia treatment, diagnosis, or prevention.
- Obtain all required ethical approvals or regulatory licences before funding begins.
- Comply with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research policies.
Host Institution Requirements
Applicants must secure a UK based Host Institution before applying.
The Host Institution must provide:
- An experienced research supervisor.
- Appropriate research facilities.
- Ongoing academic supervision.
- Career development support throughout the fellowship.
- Collaborators from outside the United Kingdom may be included where appropriate.
- Joint funding between Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Host Institution may also be proposed but should be discussed with the funder before submitting the application.
Eligible Research Projects
Dementia Treatment
Research focused on developing new therapies or improving existing treatments.
Early Diagnosis
Projects that improve the identification and diagnosis of dementia.
Dementia Prevention
Research investigating strategies to reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Clinical Trials
Alzheimer’s Research UK particularly welcomes applications involving:
- Interventional clinical trials
- Clinical trial samples
- Research embedded within ongoing clinical trials
Fellowship Duration
- Full time fellowships are expected to finish within four years.
- Part time fellowships may be extend to six years where appropriate.
Tuition Fee Information
The fellowship can support applicants completing a full PhD programme.
However, there are important funding conditions.
- Alzheimer’s Research UK covers tuition fees for Home students.
- International applicants are welcome to apply.
- International tuition fee differences must be funded through other sources.
- The fellowship is not intended to cover funding gaps for students who have already started their doctoral programme.
Documents You May Need
Although individual application requirements may vary, applicants should prepare:
- Completed application form
- Detailed research proposal
- Career development plan
- Budget justification
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of support from collaborators
- Institutional Letter of Support
- Supervisor information
How to Apply
Follow these steps when preparing your application.
Step 1
Develop a research project that aligns with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s research priorities.
Step 2
Secure a supervisor at a UK based Host Institution.
Step 3
Prepare all required supporting documents, including institutional letters of support.
Step 4
Decide whether you wish to participate in the optional clinical trial placement.
Step 5
If choosing the placement, either:
- Submit a detailed placement plan developed with your supervisor, or
- Submit an expression of interest if you prefer support in identifying suitable supervisors, trial sites, and placement opportunities after receiving the fellowship.
Step 6
Complete the fellowship application and submit it before the deadline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors when applying.
- Submitting a project that does not align with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s priorities.
- Providing an unrealistic research timetable.
- Failing to explain your long term research goals.
- Choosing supervisors with limited expertise in your research area.
- Submitting incomplete institutional support documents.
Grant Deadline: 15th October, 2026
CLICK HERE TO START YOUR APPLICATION
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can apply for the fellowship?
Registered healthcare professionals working in the United Kingdom who do not already hold a PhD and have limited research experience.
2. How much funding is available?
Applicants may request funding of up to £400,000 for the full fellowship period.
3. Can international applicants apply?
Yes. However, Alzheimer’s Research UK only covers Home tuition fees. International tuition fee differences must be funded separately.
4. Does the fellowship fund a PhD?
Yes. The fellowship is commonly used to support a full PhD programme.
5. Can nurses and allied health professionals apply?
Yes. The programme welcomes applications from a wide range of registered healthcare professionals.
6. Can I apply if I took a break from research?
Yes. Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes applications from researchers returning after a career break.
7. Can I continue clinical practice during the fellowship?
Yes. Applicants may request up to 0.2 FTE clinical practice time where appropriately justified.
8. Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. Applicants must secure an established supervisor at their UK Host Institution before submitting their application.
9. What research areas are supported?
Projects focused on dementia treatment, diagnosis, prevention, translational research, clinical research, and clinical trials.
10. Is previous research experience required?
Yes, but only to a limited extent. Applicants should demonstrate research potential through previous outputs such as publications, conference presentations, or other research activities.
