Stepping into Research (STiR)
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What is STiR?
Stepping into Research is the flagship programme of the Mental Health Social Care Incubator, supporting practitioners, lived experience researchers, and early career researchers to turn the research ideas into competitive funding applications.
Our first programme, STiR I, launched in 2024 and concluded in 2025. We are pleased to announce we are following up this great success with STiR 2026. Over six months, successful applicants will receive guidance and mentorship from experienced researchers who will work alongside the cohort to develop their ideas into a proposal for funding.
Benefits include:
- 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.
- An in-person grant writing retreat: A fully funded event over 1-2 days to develop grant writing skills.
The STiR Programme is free to attend for successful applicants. It is funded via the NIHR Seed Fund awarded to the NIHR-supported Mental Health Social Care Incubator.
To get a better idea of what MHSC is about, you can read the report from the first MHSC Summit in December 2023, report from the second Summit in March 2024 (PDF) and the report from the third Summit in January 2026.
Early success
From STiR I, one cohort member has submitted a proposal for an NIHR Fellowship, and three more proposals will likely be submitted in 2025.
Another member of the cohort has been successful in gaining an internship to fund mental health social care research within an NHS trust, and two more members of the cohort plan to submit proposals to the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care.
We are delighted to have been part of the journeys of our cohort and wish them every success in their future endeavours.
Testimonials
Sarah Redmond
Social Worker, Staffordshire County Council
Research Associate, Midland Partnership Foundation Trust
“Having recently submitted an application to the NIHR for funding to complete a doctoral research programme, I have found the support available through STiR invaluable.
Most importantly, the programme highlighted the necessity of research into mental health in social care and demonstrated a commitment to continuing and developing this research with a view to informing service development and ensuring that mental health policies are considered as a priority in social care settings”
Cara Johnson
Mental Health Nurse, North East London Foundation Trust
“Really enjoyed my time with the MHSC Incubator, having dedicated time and support with my next fellowship application.
It’s been invaluable!
Thank you so much!”
Parisa Quaynor
Social Work Peer Researcher, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
“The STIR programme has removed my ‘imposter syndrome’ when it comes to research. I was lucky enough to go on the retreat which was fantastic. I met some lovely people and had access to a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Since joining STiR, I have been accepted for an internship, so I can conduct my own piece of research on mothers and rehab.
I am a mother in recovery myself, so it’s a great opportunity that will help others like me and hopefully inspire everyone to get into research!”
Katy Cleece
Social Work Research Lead, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
“Having access to such experienced people, who are so warm and welcoming really puts me at ease and has supported me to navigate through complex systems in carving out my own research journey.
That time and space from leaders in the field is such an amazing asset and I feel privileged to be on the programme and excited for where it will take me!”
Gianluca Zucchelli
Head of Regional Operations, South East and Coast Together for Mental Wellbeing
“I found the STiR Grant Writing Retreat an inspiring event. Not only because it is a one-stop shop for all those interested to learn how to write a research grant application, but because it is designed as a friendly and productive adult learning environment.
The event is not a one-off, as the STiR programme people will assist every step of the way, if you like.
I would definitely recommend it to a colleague or a friend”
Hassan Rahman
In-Work Service Lead, Working Well Trust
“The support and mentorship provided by the MHSC team have been transformative… empowering me to pursue my long-standing aspiration of transitioning into a career in research.”
Ryan Cowley Sharp
Interim Director Social Work, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
“The STiR programme is a really welcoming and inclusive place for individuals at different levels of their research journeys. I found this mix really settling and supportive across the whole programme.
The networks made have been invaluable for future research ideas/bids. The programme really develops both research skills, drafting of applications but also the ethos on research projects being a team effort.”
Sophie Howell
Head of Service User Leadership, Together for Mental Wellbeing
“It is a fantastic initiative that allows you to access high quality support, guidance and mentoring that will enable you to build on and explore research interests and opportunities.
The grant writing retreat was a particular highlight of the programme as we were given time to connect with other
individuals in the cohort, whilst learning more about the process of applying for grants and asking questions to all the academics supporting the programme.
I would highly recommend this for anyone interested in taking their research career to the next stage!”
Eligibility
We welcome all applications from individuals with a passion for mental health social care research. There is no single profile we are looking for; mental health social care is an evolving and multidisciplinary field that values diverse perspectives in mental health support.
This means that we are not looking specifically for researchers with a background in a particular discipline, such as psychology. What matters most is your interest in contributing to this important and evolving field by developing your research interests into fundable research proposals.
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have a research interest in mental health social care and a focused area in which you wish to conduct research, but this can be fairly broad for now.
- Be a resident of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales; or be willing to cover your own travel expenses to attend the in-person grant writing retreat in Manchester on 3rd and 4th November 2026.
- Are passionate about advancing mental health social care research to help improve the evidence base for the sector and outcomes for people.
- Are eager to connect with peers and form new collaborations.
- Are able to commit attending online seminars, lasting 1 hour each over a 6-month period.
Applicants living outside the UK
You can apply to STiR if you don’t live in the UK. However, your application must clearly demonstrate how your research aims to address an issue or promote mental health social care in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or Wales. You need to ensure that you are eligible for the funding stream you might be considering applying for.
You must also be willing to cover your own travel expenses to attend the compulsory grant writing retreat in Manchester on 3rd and 4th November 2026 (specific date to be confirmed to successful applicants).
Payments for people with lived experience
Payments will be made in line with NIHR INVOLVE guidance for the time you spend participating in STiR organised activities. For example, if you attend a 1-hour workshop, reimbursement will be for one hour of engagement.
Costs
There is no cost to take part in STiR. The programme will cover reasonable travel costs (UK road mileage/public transport) to and from the in-person grant writing retreat, as well as food and overnight accommodation.
Unfortunately, we are not able to cover salary costs or provide funding beyond payments for the engagement time of lived experience members of the cohort.
How to apply
To apply for a place on the programme, please fill out an application form by 12pm on Tuesday 30 June 2026.
You will be notified of the outcome in early August 2026.
Applying if you are in employment related to Mental Health Social Care
Please ask your manager to write a brief statement supporting your participation in this programme (no more than 150 words). Please request your manager to send this to mhsc.incubator@manchester.ac.uk.
Without a supporting statement from your manager, we will be unable to consider your application.
Your manager’s statement should confirm that they support you in this application for the Stepping into Research Programme, that they understand your attendance at the in-person retreat and the virtual events is mandatory. The cost of accommodation, food and reasonable travel costs within the UK will be covered by the STiR Programme.
Find out more
If you have any questions about STiR, please contact us.
Email: mhsc.incubator@manchester.ac.uk
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