Rising Research Leaders Prize

This prize celebrates 20 outstanding rising research leaders at early to mid-career level who go above and beyond to advance the mission of the NIHR.

You must be able to demonstrate:

• a steep career trajectory
• innovative ways of delivering research impact
• excellence in research inclusion
• ability to form effective  new partnerships and collaborations

Who can apply

This award is open to predoctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral levels funded by the NIHR:

• predoctoral and doctoral, including NIHR-funded Global Health Researchers
• postdoctoral, including eligible NIHR-funded Global Health Researchers at postdoctoral level
• individuals based in devolved administrations funded by the NIHR (including those with NIHR Academy Awards funded by their devolved administrations)

The following are not eligible to apply:

• Research Professors
• Global Health Research Professors
• Senior Investigators

Applicants will be assessed in 2 categories:

• predoctoral and doctoral
• postdoctoral

We anticipate awarding an equal spread of prizes across predoctoral, doctoral, early postdoctoral and late postdoctoral levels.

How to apply

Before applying, you must discuss this with your contracting organisation as they will need to support your application for the prize. Apply Now

Guidance for contracting organisations

Each contracting organisation may support up to a maximum of 3 applicants. Where a contracting organisation supports more than one nominee, it must demonstrate a spread of applicants across profession, gender and ethnicity.

Prizes

As a winner, you will receive:

• £10,000 professional development prize, paid to your NIHR contracting organisation
• bespoke leadership and development support to strengthen skills and experience  in key areas such as impact, knowledge mobilisation, research inclusion and commercial partnerships
• formal recognition with an invitation to a prize presentation at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference
• amplification of your profile across multiple channels to boost your profile

Research Delivery Leaders Prize

This prize celebrates 20 research delivery leaders who have delivered excellence in the NIHR portfolio through principal investigator work or through roles that directly support research delivery. It also recognises leadership that improves research participation, inclusion and performance across clinical and wider care settings.

You will need to demonstrate how you have:

• improved research delivery
• strengthened inclusion
• motivated teams and organisations to engage with research

Who can apply

Open to individuals who have been a Principal Investigator (PI), or led a research delivery team supporting NIHR portfolio trials within the last 12 months. This includes those based in research delivery infrastructure, in health or care settings in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are 2 categories:

• research leadership, including individuals undertaking Principal Investigator or Chief Investigator (CI) roles
• People leading research delivery teams

Applications must be supported by a head of Research and Development, local Regional Research Delivery Network director, or RDN national speciality or setting lead. We anticipate awarding an equal spread of prizes between the two subcategories.

How to apply

Before applying, you must get agreement from your head of Research and Development, local Regional Research Delivery Network director, or RDN national speciality or setting lead. This is because only 3 applications can be accepted from any one organisation.

This person will need to log in and tick the box to show they are aware of and agree with your application. Apply Now

Guidance for supporting organisations

Each supporting organisation may nominate up to a maximum of 3 applicants. Where a contracting organisation supports more than one nominee, it must demonstrate a spread of applicants across profession, gender and ethnicity.

Prizes

As a winner, you will receive:

• £10,000 professional development prize, paid to their contracting organisation
• bespoke leadership and development support to strengthen impact in key areas such as knowledge mobilisation, research inclusion and commercial partnerships
• formal recognition with an invitation to a prize presentation at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference
• amplification of your profile across multiple channels to boost your profile