Key information on the 2027 call can be found in the past calls section below.
Meet our Research Training Fellows
The scheme supports and develops promising doctors and researchers early in their careers: as Research Training Fellows, these high-fliers carry out a key piece of research to help children and undertake training to develop their research expertise.
Past calls
2027 Research Training Fellowships Call For Proposals
View call details - click to expand
The Research Training Fellowship (RTF) scheme aims to train research leaders of the future in child health. The fellowship provides the opportunity to undertake a period of research training which will be relevant to applicants’ future careers, developing their skills in research techniques and methodology in subjects relevant to Action’s remit. Applications are invited from medical graduates, clinicians, bioengineers, research nurses, physiotherapists and allied health professionals who wish to develop a long-term career in academic medicine in the UK in areas relevant to child health.
In addition to fellowships across Action's remit, Action is working with Duchenne UK and Muscular Dystrophy UK to offer joint fellowship awards in areas relevant to neuromuscular conditions (including Duchenne muscular dystrophy) in childhood
Fellowships should be 24-36 months in duration. The upper limit of funding for a fellowship is £300,000.
Funding type: Fellowship, 24-36 months duration
Number of awards: Up to 3 in 2027
Opening Date: 14 April 2026
Outline applications: 7 July 2026 5pm
Decision: February 2027
Award: March 2027
Start from: April 2027
2026 Research Training Fellowships call
View call details - click to expand
The Research Training Fellowship (RTF) scheme aims to train research leaders of the future in child health. The fellowship provides the opportunity to undertake a period of research training which will be relevant to applicants’ future careers, developing their skills in research techniques and methodology in subjects relevant to Action’s remit. Applications are invited from medical graduates, clinicians, bioengineers, research nurses, physiotherapists and allied health professionals who wish to develop a long-term career in academic medicine in the UK in areas relevant to child health.
Fellowships should be 24-36 months in duration. The upper limit of funding for a fellowship is £300,000.
Funding type: Fellowship, 24-36 months duration
Number of awards: 2 in 2026
Opening Date: 30 April 2025
Outline applications: 2 July 2025, 5pm
Decision: February 2026
Award: March 2026