The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) INSIGHT Programme aims to make research accessible and engaging for students and professionals in health and care. We debunk the myth that research is too hard or difficult to embed in day-to-day practice.
The programme is led by King’s College London for the South London region. We work in partnership with London South Bank University, Kingston University, City St George’s University of London and seven NHS Trusts. Together, we’re part of a national effort to build a diverse and skilled research workforce.
What does the INSIGHT Programme include?
The INSIGHT Programme provides structured pathways into research through two core components:
Research master's studentships
The INSIGHT Programme Research Master's Studentships provide funding and valuable training for early-career registered healthcare, social work or public health professionals (excluding doctors/dentists) seeking to pursue a research career.
There are 30 funded places annually, covering 19 postgraduate taught programmes across four partner universities. The award covers home fees and a stipend to cover living expenses or a contribution to salary costs for clinical/practice release.
Applications for the 2026/27 INSIGHT Programme studentships are now open. The closing date for applications is 26 January 2026 at 13:00. See the NIHR INSIGHT Research Master's Studentship page for further details.
Find out more about how the INSIGHT studentships are opening doors to nursing research.
Research engagement activities
We run several engagement activities designed to increase involvement from students and early career professionals in the research space. These include a Student and Early Career Advisory Panel, the INSIGHT Podcast and more. Explore our activities on this page.
Our Partners
The INSIGHT Programme South London is one of 12 NIHR INSIGHT regional programmes. The programme for South London is a partnership between four universities and seven NHS trusts, collaborating with four NIHR organisations. Together, they support research generation, delivery, implementation and workforce development. The partners encompass health and care provision in acute, community, public health, mental health and social care.
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group
Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Group leads
Interim Director of Cicely Saunders Institute and Professor of Palliative Care
Professor in Health Workforce within the School of Allied Health and Life Sciences at London South Bank University