The GW4 Clinical Academic Training Programme is funded by the WELLCOME TRUST
Supporting the Wider clinical PhD Student Community
As a programme we are committed to supporting the development of the wider clinical PhD community. We do this by offering our training and conference events whenever possible to clinical fellows within the GW4 institutions. If you are a clinical PhD student and would like to be given the opportunity to attend our open events please email gw4-cat@bristol.ac.uk and ask to be added to our mailing list.
NIHR INSIGHT PROGRAMME
The NIHR INSIGHT Programme -funding for a wide range of activities and research masters places for current students and recent graduates in registered healthcare, social work and public health professions .
News Article 10 February 2026.- The NIHR INSIGHT Programme will now incorporate the INSPIRE scheme for doctors and dentists, founded by the Academy of Medical Sciences.
NIHR – Research Career development funding
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) offers flexible academic funding programme that can be combined with clinical training and practice.
INSPIRE Schemes
INSPIRE is a national initiative funded by the Wellcome Trust and coordinated by the the Academy of Medical Sciences to encourage medical, dental and veterinary undergraduate students to gain experience and understanding of research.
The links below will take you to the INSPIRE pages for the GW4-CAT HP Programme universities offering INSPIRE opportunities.
- University of Bristol
- GW4-CAT Alumnus, now Consultant Senior Lecturer at the Bristol Dental School, Mark Gormley, is an INSPIRE Dental Co-Lead.
- University of Exeter
Clinical Primers
Clinical primers are aimed at medical, dental and veterinary graduates. They are designed to give outstanding early career clinicians the chance to experience a world-class research environment for the first time.
- University of Bristol – scheme currently closed
- Cardiff University – scheme currently closed
- University of Exeter – scheme currently closed
- University of Bristol – Clinical Academic Training
- University of Exeter – Clinical Academic Training
WCAT
Launched in 2009 the Wales Clinical Academic Track (WCAT) fellowship programme aims to equip clinical academic trainees with a wide range of knowledge and skills required to become independent investigators in translational research.
Clinical Academic Training Careers Hub
The Clinical Academic Training Careers Hub (Catch), is an online resource aimed at providing a wealth of information on clinical academic careers, from career pathways to interviews with clinical academics. Use the link to access the website. Catch.ac.uk
UK Reproducibility Network
Keep up to date with the UK Reproducibility Network. (UKRN) a peer-led group that aims to ensure world-class research conducted in a robust, quality research.