# Development and Skills Enhancement Award

**Funder:** NIHR
**Budget:** Salary (up to 24 months FTE) + up to £10k training, £2k conference, £3k mentorship (24-month FTE max)
**Duration:** 12–24 months FTE
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/development-and-skills-enhancement-dse-award-cohort-11/2026485
**Last updated:** 16 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Postdoctoral career development award for early- to mid-career researchers. Contracting organisation must be a UK HEI, NHS body, or health/care services provider. Funds applicant salary and limited non-salary costs only — not research activities. Goal must be developing skills toward a future NIHR personal award or research grant. PhD or MD required by award start date.

## Summary

The NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award funds postdoctoral researchers' salaries (up to 24 months FTE) plus training, conference, and mentorship costs to build skills toward a future NIHR personal award or research grant. Open to early- to mid-career researchers with a PhD or MD, hosted at a UK HEI, NHS body, or health and care services provider. This is a career-development award, not research funding, applicants structure the 12-24 month placement to build specific competencies in their chosen research area.

## Who should apply

- Postdoctoral researchers with a PhD or MD
- Researchers hosting at a UK HEI, NHS body, or health/care services provider
- Early- to mid-career researchers planning to apply for NIHR personal awards or research grants
- Applicants with a clear skills-development goal aligned to their research trajectory

## Key dates

- Cohort 11 currently open; closing date not specified on funder page (Cohort 10 closed July 2026)
- 12-24 month award duration, full-time equivalent

## Tips for applicants

- This is a salary-only award: you cannot request funding for research activities or equipment, focus the proposal on skills development and mentor access.
- Frame your skill gaps relative to your next grant target (e.g. trial methodology if planning a ClinicalTrials NIHR call); reviewers assess readiness for the next funding step.
- Include a named, senior mentor with NIHR grant track record; mentorship is a scored element and signals credibility for your future application.

## Frequently asked questions

### What can the NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award pay for?

Applicant salary (up to 24 months FTE), training costs (up to £10k), conference attendance (up to £2k), and mentorship support (up to £3k). The award does not fund research activities, equipment, or consumables.

### Who is eligible for the NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award?

Early- to mid-career postdoctoral researchers with a PhD or MD, hosted at a UK HEI, NHS body, or health/care services provider, planning to apply for future NIHR grants.

### How long is the NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award?

The award runs for 12-24 months full-time equivalent, depending on applicant needs and funder assessment.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nihr-development-and-skills-enhancement-award-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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