Launch Event 2026

We are delighted to announce the Launch Event for the GW4-HP2 and MRC-Funded Great Western Clinical Research Alliance (GW-CRA), postdoctoral programme will take place on 11th November, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Come along and find out about both programmes, and network with clinicians and academics interested in biomedical, discovery sciences.

The event is free to attend and we also have a limited number of travel bursaries available for those without access to a travel budget. Use the button below to sign up.

Travel Bursary Forms

Webinar – 22nd September 2026, 12:00 noon

Information on the new programme funding and first application call, will be provided in a Webinar on 22nd September 2026, from 12:00 – 13:00. Please use the button below to register for the webinar.

Webinar Registration

August 2026 – GW4-HP2 Programme Overview

We are delighted to have secured a further round of funding from the Wellcome Trust commencing August 2026, and to welcome new partner, Swansea University into the consortium.

There are some exciting developments to announce, but please bear with us as we work hard to finalise the details of a new doctoral recruitment call.

In the meantime, we also have a mailing list that we would encourage you to sign up to, in order to receive the latest programme updates.

Register for our Mailing List

Or use the QR code to register

GW4-CAT HP Programme Overview 2021 – 2026

The GW4 Clinical Academic Training Programme for Health Professionals (GW4-CAT HP) has been established through a £7 million award from the Wellcome Trust. This funding will support five cohorts of five fellows – beginning with recruitment in 2021 for a 2022 start – across the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter. Together, these institutions will combine their complementary strengths to train and develop the next generation of clinical academics.

The scheme is aimed at exceptionally motivated clinically qualified trainees who can demonstrate the capability and drive to undertake a period of research with a view to developing a long-term career as a clinical academic. Applicants will have previously undertaken research such as an Academic Clinical Fellowship (medical and dental graduates), an internship or residency (veterinary) or via an alternative route such as a Clinical Primer from University of Bristol or similar schemes from Cardiff and Exeter.

Within this programme, early career health professionals, dentists and veterinary graduates will have the chance to undertake interdisciplinary PhD training in one of over 50 world-leading research groups in population health, cardiovascular sciences, neuroscience, mental health, infection, immunity and repair, cancer and molecular cell biology.

To be eligible for entry into the programme you must have a qualification that allows you to practice clinically in the UK. Please see our Eligibility Criteria page for further details.

Our Partner Institutions

University of Bath

University of Bath is ranked 7th in the UK by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and 9th in the Complete University Guide 2027.

University of Bristol