This fellowship gives professionals across the East of England protected time to lead a small scale research or implementation project while continuing in their current role. They receive expert supervision, structured training, career development support, and funding to help their organisation provide one day per week for fellowship activities.
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If your goal is to build research skills or improve the way evidence is used in health and care services, this programme provides an excellent opportunity for you.
2027 ARC East of England Fellowships in UK Summary
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | United Kingdom |
| Programme | ARC East of England Research and Impact Fellowships |
| Fellowship Types | Research Fellowship and Impact Fellowship |
| Eligible Applicants | Health, care and voluntary sector professionals in the East of England |
| Funding | Up to £12,500 backfill funding |
| Programme Duration | 12 months |
| Time Commitment | One day per week |
| Programme Period | April 2027 to March 2028 |
| Application Deadline | 9 December 2026 (12:00 pm) |
About the 2027 ARC East of England Fellowships in UK
The ARC East of England Fellowship Programme has been around since 2010, supporting health and care professionals. More than 170 fellowships have been awarded across the region, helping professionals develop research skills and improve evidence based practice within their organisations.
The programme is suitable for professionals who want to work at the point where research meets real world practice. Fellows are supported to develop practical solutions that improve health and care services while building long-term research and leadership skills.
2027 ARC East of England Fellowships Pathways
Applicants can choose between two fellowship pathways depending on their interests and career goals.
Research Fellowship
The Research Fellowship is designed for professionals who want to learn research methods while carrying out a local applied research or evaluation project. Projects include:
- Applied research
- Service evaluations
- Clinical audits
- Population health studies
- Health inequalities research
- Social care research
Current priority areas include:
- Measuring Health and Care
- Population health management
- Health economics
- Children’s social care
- Dementia research
- Underserved communities
Fellows receive academic supervision from researchers at participating institutions, including:
- University of East Anglia
- University of Essex
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Cambridge
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Health Innovation East
Impact Fellowship
The Impact Fellowship is intended for professionals who want to improve the implementation of research findings within health and care organisations.
Projects generally focus on either:
- Implementing proven evidence into practice
- Knowledge mobilisation to improve services
Participants receive specialist training in:
- Implementation science
- Knowledge mobilisation
- Change management
- Evidence-based practice
- Service improvement
Fellowship Benefits
- Protected research time for one day each week
- Up to £12,500 in backfill funding for the employer
- Weekly teaching sessions
- Academic supervision
- Action Learning Sets
- Career development workshops
- Networking opportunities
- Final project showcase
- Experience leading a research or implementation project
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Work in a health, care, or voluntary sector organisation
- Be based in the East of England
- Not hold a PhD
- Not currently be enrolled in a PhD programme
- Be able to commit one day each week throughout the fellowship
- Healthcare professionals holding clinical doctorates such as DClinPsy or MD remain eligible.
- Applicants working across multiple organisations may also apply if their eligible employer agrees to provide the required protected time.
Time Commitment
The fellowship runs over 12 months.
Participants are expected to dedicate:
- One day each week
- Thursdays throughout the programme
- April 2027 to March 2028
Funding
The programme contributes up to £12,500 towards backfilling the fellow’s role over the 12-month fellowship. This funding is paid to the employing organisation rather than directly to the fellow. If covering the fellow’s role costs more than £12,500, the employer is expected to cover the remaining amount. The fellowship does not reduce the participant’s salary.
Application Process
Step 1
Choose either the Research Fellowship or the Impact Fellowship.
Step 2
Develop a project idea that addresses an important health or care challenge.
Applicants are encouraged to consider how their proposal supports the NHS priorities of:
- Moving care from hospitals into communities
- Increasing digital healthcare
- Preventing illness instead of treating disease
Step 3
Prepare your application before the deadline.
Step 4
Submit your completed application before 9 December 2026 at 12:00 pm.
Application Deadline: 9 December 2026 (12:00 pm)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the ARC East of England Fellowship?
Professionals working in health, care, or voluntary sector organisations within the East of England.
Are there different fellowship options?
Yes. Applicants can choose either the Research Fellowship or the Impact Fellowship.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
The programme provides up to £12,500 in employer backfill funding.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts 12 months.
How much time is required?
Participants commit one day each week throughout the programme.
Can I apply if I already have a PhD?
No. Applicants must not hold or be enrolled in a PhD programme.
Can healthcare professionals with clinical doctorates apply?
Yes. Clinical doctorates such as DClinPsy and MD are accepted.
Will my salary be reduced?
No. The funding supports your employer and should not affect your salary.
What type of projects are accepted?
Research, evaluation, implementation, audit, and evidence-based improvement projects related to health and care.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on 9 December 2026 at 12:00 pm
