We are pleased to announce the launch of NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium Pre-application Support Fund Scheme.
The first of our capacity development schemes for the Consortium, the Pre-application Support Fund Scheme, offers funding towards salary costs (up to a max £30k) on a flexible WTE basis allowing individuals to buy out time from current responsibilities to enhance or prepare an application for career development funding.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maternity Disparities Consortium (MDC) brings together a diverse range of organisations with expertise in research, capacity building and working with people and communities. It aims to deliver a step change in maternity outcomes, access to maternity services and experience of services and developing future research leaders in this area of need. The research carried out by the consortium will focus on inequalities before, during and after pregnancy.
The consortium has dedicated some of its capacity-development funding to provide Pre-Application Support. These awards are specifically designed to “level the playing field,” offering extra resources to those who need them to build a competitive application for an onward Career Development funding award. Every award is intended to equip individuals with the necessary skills, experience, and protected time to successfully transition to the next stage of their research career. A primary expectation is that the award holder will produce a high-quality fellowship funding application submitted to an identifiable external funder. Applications that do not name a specific target scheme from an identifiable funder will not be considered.
These awards offer funding towards salary costs (up to a max £30k) on a flexible WTE basis allowing individuals to buy out time from current responsibilities to enhance or prepare an application for career development funding. You must read the guidance and approach a capacity development lead before preparing and submitting an application.
Application closing deadline is Thursday 30th July 2026.
