Academic Clinical Fellows
An Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) is a specialised training post combined with academic work.
ACFs are appointed by the North Western Postgraduate Deanery. The post is made up of 75% clinical training and 25% academic research. Appointments are usually over a 3-year period with the exception of General Practice which is for 4-years. By the end of the appointment, ACFs should have successfully applied for external funding to continue their academic careers, for example, through securing a place on an MD or PhD programme.
Please download slides from the ACF webinar held in September 2025 which provides further information about apply for an ACF: IAT ACF Webinar Sept 2025
On this page:
How to apply
ACF recruitment is undertaken by NHS England (NHSE)
Recruitment usually begins in October for an August start date the following year.
Application timeline
- ACF posts advertised: Mid-October
- Closing date for applications: Mid-November
- Invitation to interview: November/December
- Interviews: End of November to beginning of January
- Appointment offers: Mid-January to beginning of February
- Start date: August
Funding Support
Funding options are available for ACFs to support your training and research.
NIHR Bursary
The NIHR bursary provides all ACF trainees with a source of funding to enable attendance and/or present their research findings at external research meetings and conferences that are relevant to their academic training.
Funding is available to you throughout your time as a trainee, for as long as the NIHR provides the bursary.
Eligibility
- You will be eligible to receive bursary funding of £3000 or £4000 (GPs only) at the commencement of your ACF. The funds will automatically roll over on an annual basis until the end of your ACF.
- Travel bookings can be made via The University of Manchester’s official Travel Management Partner – Key Travel. This can be used to book flights, accommodation, rail, Eurostar and book international car hire. All bookings through Key Travel will be paid in advance and charged automatically to your NIHR bursary.
- Incidental expenses not covered by Key Travel can only be claimed back after the date the event occurs.
- 10% of the bursary can be used towards PPIE.
- The bursary does not cover claims for clinical courses, including revision courses, consumables, kit, laptops, books, etc. Only academic courses and conferences, with associated travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
Unspent funds
- Bursary funds will automatically roll over until the end of your ACF.
- Once your programme has ended you will not be able to claim any unspent money.
Applying to use the bursary
Find out how to make a claim for use of the bursary fund, see our information for current ACFs.
Research Training funding
As an ACF, you are eligible to access up to £4,500 in research training funding. This funding can be used towards:
- Course fees for an NIHR-approved qualification
- Appropriate research modules and units that support your academic development.
For further details, see the NIHR Academy website.
Details of qualifying courses at The University of Manchester can be found in our research training programme.
Research training funding
As an ACF, you are eligible to access up to £4,500 in research training funding.
Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) in Medical Sciences (Med Sci)
We offer a degree programme specifically to ACFs which incorporates elements of the Research Training Programme (RTP) in a PGCert qualification (PGCert Med Sci) with the option of incorporating a research proposal and dissertation based on a research project to complete a full Masters (MSc). This degree programme is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, critical awareness, and specialist skills needed to pursue a successful research career in the broad spectrum of medical sciences research
Funding for PG Cert in Medical Sciences
We strongly recommend considering the PG Cert which has been specifically developed for ACFs. This course integrates the mandatory ACF Research Training Programme (RTP) and offers a streamlined pathway with the option to progress to a Masters degree.
Key benefits of the PG Cert:
- Tailored content aligned with ACF training needs
- Reduced course fees for ACFs
- Internal fee management by The University
You will be contacted by the IAT administration team at the start of your ACF post to confirm your interest in enrolling and to arrange the use of your funding for this course.
Alternate funding opportunities
If you choose not to use your research training funding for the approved PG Cert in Medical Sceiences, you may instead apply the funding towards other suitable programmes either at The University of Manchester or at an external institution.
Please note the following:
- The maximum available funding during your ACF is:
- £4,500 from your research training allocation
- £3,000 (or £4000 for GPs) from your NIHR bursary.
- Other programmes at The University of Manchester do not offer the discounted fee available for the PG Cert. You may therefore need to self-fund any remaining costs if the total exceeds your available funding.
- Regardless of your chosen course, you are still required to complete the mandatory Research Training Programme (RTP) workshops.
If you wish to pursue a course other than the PG Cert, whether internal or external to The University of Manchester, you must complete the designated course approval form.
Other development opportunities
You will also have access to the Faculty Academic Development Programme . This open programme aims to support the FBMH academic community with the skills they need to carry out high quality research, teaching and learning and social responsibility (the three core goals of the University of Manchester). This programme provides valuable networking opportunities with peers and experienced academics. ACFs with evidence of teaching, learning and work that enhances the student experience (including research supervision and support) will also be supported to gain professional recognition (internationally recognised Advance HE Fellowship).
For further information and to register on the programme email acadresdev@manchester.ac.uk. Please note you will be required to have a UoM email address to access the booking system for workshops associated with the ADP. See section honorary contracts in the ACF handbook on how to obtain a UoM email / login.
The Cathie Marsh Institute for Social Research offers a number of short courses focused on quantitative social science which must be booked directly in advance. The University College for Interdisciplinary Learning focusses in online learning on a broad scope of subject matters including ‘Leadership in Action’.
ACF Research Training Programme (RTP)
Facilitated by Professor Rachel Cowen
A series of ACF specific training workshops are available each year focusing on essential research skills. Although encouraged you do not need to enrol on the PG Cert in Medical Sciences, however attendance at the RTP is mandatory. Planned dates can be found here. These will be held face to face
- Ethical Aspects of Clinical Research
- Patient and Public Involvement in Research
- Refereeing of Papers and Grant Applications
- Diversity and Equal Opportunities in Research, and Cultural Competence
- Time Management and Personal Effectiveness
- Leadership: Practitioner, Partner and Leader Roles
- Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)
It is compulsory that each of the subjects in these sessions is covered during your training as they form part of the specified NIHR academic training programme. You should be able to attend during both research and clinical attachments. Following each workshop, you will be provided with a Certificate of Attendance for your portfolio, and this can be credited towards the PG Cert (if enrolled, and you would also need to submit the reflective assessment).
For a list of current workshops on offer please see the News and events page.
Support
ACFs can access further research and career training support via University Researcher Development and mentoring and coaching through UoM Talent Development delivered, Manchester Gold scheme. If you are having any difficulties accessing a mentor or an advisor, please discuss this with your Academic Programme Lead.
ACF Advisor
In addition to support from your Academic Programme Lead and Academic Supervisor, having an academic advisor can provide further support with your training and career development. Your Academic Programme Lead (APL) can help you identify an appropriate academic advisor.
An ACF would normally retain the same Advisor throughout their training, but it should be recognised that some flexibility might be beneficial or indeed necessary. ACFs are able to request a change of Advisor at any time. However, in order to establish a meaningful relationship between advisor and advisee, it would seem appropriate that ACF Advisors would be assigned for a minimum of one academic year.
The ACF advisor will be expected to meet with their advisees according to the meeting times outlined on the meeting schedule below. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that:
- An appropriate project and supervisor have been identified early
- To advise and encourage a process from the outset leading to the ACF being ready to submit a PhD Fellowship application
- To help the ACF overcome any difficulties that arise
- To facilitate the ACFs active engagement in wider training opportunities
ACF Programme Leads, Natalie Cook and Adam Reid will act as point of reference to advisors and to clinical specialty leads, disseminate good practice, liaise with the Integrated Academic Steering Group and the Postgraduate Deanery, and oversee any relevant quality assurance issues.
IAT administration will support the role of the ACF Advisor by providing relevant information in a timely fashion (e.g. monitoring attendance/performance).
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