We are excited to invite applications for the second round of the Stepping into Research (STiR) Programme, designed to support practitioners, lived experience researchers, and early career researchers in Mental Health Social Care (MHSC). To get a better idea of what MHSC is about, you can read the report from the first MHSC Summit in December 2023  and the report from the second Summit in March 2024.

To apply for a place on the programme, please fill out an application form and return to mhsc.incubator@manchester.ac.uk, by 12 noon Friday 27 June 2025.

This call follows the highly successful first round of the STiR programme delivered in 2024, and you can see endorsements from participants. The programme will be delivered by the NIHR-supported Mental Health Social Care Incubator and is jointly funded by the NIHR Three Schools Mental Health Programme and the MHSCI Seed Fund and aims to transform your research ideas into competitive grant applications. Over six months, you will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced researchers who will work alongside you to develop your idea into a proposal for funding. You will join the growing STiR community for support during and beyond the formal programme.

Successful applicants will benefit from:

• Focused Virtual Workshops: Tailored sessions on grant writing for specific NIHR funding streams.
• 1-to-1 Coaching and Open-Door Sessions: Personalised support from Incubator leads and NIHR Research Support Service Social Care Specialist Centre advisors.
• Virtual Workshops: Covering pathways to impact, co-production, and partnership working.
• In-Person Grant Writing Retreat: A fully funded event in November 2025 to develop your grant writing skills.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cover any salary or living costs. However, we have some places reserved for individuals with lived experience of mental health problems and/or of being a carer and these have additional funding to pay for people’s participation.

If you have any questions or require any assistance completing the form, please contact: mhsc.incubator@manchester.ac.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application and supporting your journey to becoming a successful MHSC researcher.

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