Funded opportunities

South Central INSIGHT Programme (SCIP)

Applications are invited for a full or part-time funded research master's studentship. The studentship provides tuition fees and a stipend of:

£21,805 for full-time (1 year) study
£10,902.50 for part-time (2 years) study

Watch the webinar for more information about the SCIP

Eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants will be:

Early career - up to five years whole-time equivalent since graduation).
A registered health or care professional with one of the eligible regulatory professional bodies at the time of commencing the programme.
(see FAQs below for a list of regulatory bodies)

How to apply

Apply for the programme using this form.
Complete an application to Solent University for a place to study. Visit the MRes page for more information on how to apply.

Application deadline

Deadline for the SCIP funding application form is 11pm, 6 April 2026.
Deadline for university application varies by programme but must be submitted before 6 April 2026 for SCIP funding consideration.

Successful applicants will be notified w/c 4 May 2026.

FAQs

For the purposes of the SCIP award, early career is defined as up to five years whole time equivalent time spent working in your registered profession. Career breaks (e.g. maternity leave) are excluded from the calculation of whole time equivalent.

Applications are welcome from undergraduate or postgraduate students/early career professionals working towards registration/ registered with one the following regulatory bodies (not including doctors and dentists):

Academy for Healthcare Science
General Chiropractic Council
General Dental Council
General Medical Council
General optical Council
General Osteopathic Council
General Pharmaceutical Council
Health and Care Professions Council
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Social Work England
UK Public Health Register

Yes; you can work alongside study, however you must demonstrate how you will meet the study requirements of the course to which you have applied. Please note, these vary by course and you should ensure that you are familiar with the requirements of the course that you have applied to.

It is strongly advised that you discuss your application with your employer at the soonest possible time. When discussing your application, you should confirm employer support for you to apply and how you agree to manage ongoing support, should you be successfully awarded a funding and place of study offer. Please contact the SCIP team if you would like support discussing work and study arrangements.

Applicants must select one of the following work–study combinations:

work full-time/study part-time,
work part-time/study part-time, or
work part-time/study full-time.

Studying full-time while working full-time is not permitted and applications proposing this combination will not be accepted.

The stipend available is set in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) guidance. The stipend for 2026/27 is set at £21,805.

The stipend amount will be paid to you via your university. Payment is typically made in instalments and may be subject to your continued enrolment on the programme.

If you are studying part-time, the stipend will be divided over the two years of study. The stipend can be used to support your living costs whilst studying at university. The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back.

International applications to NIHR SCIP will be accepted. However, please note that we are not able to offer funding of international tuition fees - successful applicants will have their tuition fees paid up to the home fee amount only. International applicants are therefore required to self-fund any difference between international and home student tuition fee amounts.

Award of funding may not be compatible with some visa requirements, and it is the applicant's responsibility to undertake all checks to ensure compliance.

We recommended that prospective international applicants contact us before submitting an application to ensure eligibility to apply.

A SCIP funding offer will only be made once confirmation has been received from Solent University that you will be awarded a place of study.

If all funded places at Solent University have been filled, you meet the eligibility criteria for a funded place, and you have indicated that you are happy for SCIP to share your contact details with the other participating universities on your application form, you may be offered funding and place of study at one of the other participating universities.

This is year two of a three-year funding programme - if you are unsuccessful in your first attempt, you may choose to apply in the next round of funding. Funding applications open once annually.

Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship

We are delighted to be able to offer the Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship for applicants starting in October 2026. This fully funded three‑year PhD scholarship covers tuition fees at the Home rate and provides a UKRI‑standard annual stipend.

The scholarship is open to all full‑time applicants, including international candidates. Please note that while international applicants are eligible to apply, the scholarship will only cover fees up to the Home rate. Any difference between Home and International tuition fees must be funded by the applicant.

For further information, please contact research.admissions@solent.ac.uk.

Funded opportunities

South Central INSIGHT Programme (SCIP)

Eligibility criteria

How to apply

Application deadline

FAQs

What is considered 'early career'?

What are the eligible regulatory professional bodies considered for this award?

Can I work alongside study?

What does the award fund?

How much is the stipend?

Can international applicants apply?

What happens if I am awarded a SCIP funding offer but not a university place, or vice versa?

I am the manager of a person who wishes to apply, is there more information for me?

Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate Research Scholarship