City St George’s joins new MRC initiative to support clinical research careers

The funding will establish 10 Regional Accounts for Clinical Researchers (RACR), supporting around 200 clinicians to combine research with clinical practice. The initiative brings together more than 50 research organisations and over 60 NHS partners.

City St George’s, led by the School of Health & Medical Sciences (SHMS), is a partner in the South-West London RACR consortium, a collaboration with leading institutions including St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospital Group (gesh), Imperial College London, University of Surrey, Brunel University, the Institute of Cancer Research, and other local NHS organisations. Together, with £700,000 for the next two years and scope to extend for a further two years, the partnership will deliver tailored support for clinicians in the region.

Removing barriers

Clinical researchers play a vital role in improving patient care by bridging the gap between scientific discovery and frontline healthcare. From developing new treatments to improving health services, their work helps ensure patients benefit from the latest advances in medicine.

Despite their importance, many clinicians face barriers in building and sustaining research careers alongside demanding clinical roles. Pressures on time and funding, along with limited access to mentorship and training, can make it difficult to progress - particularly at key transition points such as moving from doctoral to postdoctoral research or advancing towards independence.

If left unaddressed, these challenges risk discouraging talented clinicians from contributing to research, with implications for innovation, patient care and an NHS that is fit for the future.

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, Academic Director for Clinical Research at SHMS, said:

“I’m delighted that the South-West London Regional Account for Clinical Researchers has been funded by the MRC."

This collaboration will fund clinical academics at critical pinch points in their careers. It will give time for clinical lecturers reaching the end of clinical training to continue in research while preparing their next grant or fellowship application. It will fund dedicated time for NHS clinicians with promising ideas in discovery science to get back into research.

“We have many brilliant early career clinical researchers across SHMS and gesh, and I’m excited to see the highly competitive applications that they will be submitting to this programme, which will open later this year”.

Supporting our strategic ambition

Professor Steve Gillard, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation for SHMS, added:

“This important award furthers SHMS strategic ambition to build our clinical and academic partnerships, and support clinical academic career development along the whole training pathway.”

It highlights City St George's presence as a major centre for research and training in health and medical sciences in the London region.

By taking a regional approach, the programme recognises that the challenges facing clinical researchers vary in different areas. Differences in population health needs, workforce pressures and access to opportunities mean that local solutions are essential.

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair of the MRC, said:

These challenges vary across the UK, which is why a regional approach is so important to building strong partnerships between universities and NHS trusts.

The programme will run as a four-year pilot and will generate valuable evidence on how best to support clinical researchers in different settings. Insights will inform future approaches to strengthening the UK’s clinical research workforce, ensuring that research continues to benefit patients and the NHS nationwide.