Embarking on a research career as a health professional can be a daunting prospect. Aside from the work itself, sourcing funding and accessing time for research while balancing academic work with your clinical commitments can be overwhelming.

However, there are a wealth of resources that we can help you access to make the journey more manageable.

Applying for funding

KCATO manages NIHR Internships for healthcare professionals with no prior research experience. We also manage the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) programme for medical and dental trainees, and the NIHR INSIGHT programme for nurses, midwives and professions allied to healthcare.

These programmes are particularly relevant for those at the start of their clinical academic career. Please see our funding page for more details, and to learn about other opportunities across the University and from external funding sources.

We also provide support for health professionals applying for funding through other channels and programmes. We run events about funding and host useful resources and information about funding on the KCATO SharePoint (if the link to the KCATO SharePoint does not work for you, please request access by completing our registration form).

Research career training and development

We support health professionals at any stage or level of experience as they begin their research journey. You may have never done research before. Alternatively, depending on your specialty, you may already be participating in activities that look like research, but need support in formalising this aspect of your work.

Whatever your requirements, KCATO is here to provide (and signpost to) relevant training and career development opportunities.

We organise our own events, covering topics such as how to write for research, applying for different types of funding, mentorship, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) and more. You can also access learning materials on the KCATO SharePoint.

Networking and building contacts

Choosing to begin a research career within King’s Health Partners means that you will become part of a large, thriving and multi-disciplinary research community.

Engaging with KCATO provides you with opportunities to expand your own personal-professional network, opening the door to a wide range of possibilities. KCATO also provides opportunities to raise your profile and present your research at events including the annual King’s Clinical Academic Research Symposium.