“There’s never a dull moment when you work in General Practice!"
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One of the most exciting, but also challenging parts of being a GP is the knowledge work of daily practice.
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Knowledge work is the term we use to describe the way that GPs generate and use knowledge in everyday practice. Whether they are making clinical decisions, improving the quality of practice, or getting involved in education and research, GPs are active knowledge workers. What is knowledge work? Click here to find out.
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This page will help you understand more about the clinical scholarship needed to support the everyday knowledge work of General Practice​.
You might want to start by looking at some of our stories from WISE General Practice to hear how they have made WISE part of their everyday work and what they have gained from it - Click here.
Are you a healthcare student thinking about a career in General Practice?
Are you a clinical trainee in General Practice?
Are you a primary healthcare professional?
Are you interested in further academic training?
Funding opportunities
Are you a healthcare student thinking about a career in General Practice?
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Take a look at our WiseLearning section for ideas of how to get started with a project idea; or at WiseConnections for networks you might be able to get involved with during the student selected components of your studies.
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SAPC regional and national conferences welcome medical students with interest in finding out more about Academic Primary Care - Click here
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Apply for an academic foundation programme (AFP) - an opportunity for foundation doctors to gain experience in research, teaching and leadership - Click here
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Interested in medical education - Click here
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George Lewith prize – funded place at the SPAC conference for medical students - Click here
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SPCR Internships – 24 medical student placements in 9 departments for experience over the summer months - Click here
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If you are a medical student you might want to look at the Cambridge University GP Society for exciting student opportunities in primary care research - Click here
Are you a clinical trainee in General practice?
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As a clinical trainee there are formal training programmes in academic skills available to apply for alongside clinical training positions. There are also awards and grants available to pursue a scholarship interest or attend a conference. Always keep your eyes peeled for these opportunities throughout your training.
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NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) Visiting speaker award – opportunity to present research and network within the NIHR, to encourage collaborations and presentation experience - Click here
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NIHR Academic Clinical Training for GP trainees able to apply at any year of training – Click here
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NIHR/HEE integrated academic training for nurses, midwives and other professionals allied to medicine - Click here
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TUTOR-PHC - a one-year, national interdisciplinary research training program funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) - Click here
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Hear more about being an academic clinical trainee in the SPCR blog - Click here
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If you are interested in learning Leadership skills in primary care you might be interested to join the Next Gen GP initiative - Click here
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The RCGP also provide a framework of leadership capabilities – Click here
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Are you a primary healthcare professional?
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GPs and allied healthcare professionals who work in General Practice are specialists in whole person medical care. They work with individual patients to create tailored explanations of illness problems, and so develop solutions. GPs are problem solvers – using expert knowledge about illness and disease, and skills in constructing explanations – to deliver those solutions. Knowledge work is the term we use to describe the way that we generate and use knowledge to support everyday clinical decision making.
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Knowledge work is also part of the extended roles done by healthcare professionals engaged in quality improvement, teaching and training, research and leadership.
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However, people have described a number of barriers to knowledge work in daily practice. We set up WiseGP to tackle those problems.
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WiseGP will help you understand more about the everyday knowledge work of General Practice, develop the clinical scholarship skills you need, and connect with others doing similar work. Find out more about knowledge work by clicking here.
Once working in General Practice it can feel challenging to embark on a new direction of training, but many clinicians seek the opportunity to develop a portfolio career. Scholarship skills can be a great way of diversifying your role and contribute to the knowledge work you are using in day to day clinical practice.
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Any clinician wanting to get involved in research should complete Good clinical practice training - Click here
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You can work with your practice colleagues to become a research ready practice with the RCGP - Click here
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RCGP Scientific foundation board also offers Practitioner’s Allowance Grant and SFB annual research grants for GPs and primary healthcare practitioners - Click here
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RCGP Impact from research support helps you translate your project into impactful change - Click here
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The NIHR and HEE offer part-time awards for clinicians who with to pursue an academic interest - Click here
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NIHR In-Practice Fellowship awards for GPs to prepare for future larger research funding applications - Click here
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The Health Foundation offers research project funding for all healthcare professionals - Click here
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PHoCuS – supports Primary Healthcare Scientists training and mentorship opportunities - Click here
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Vitae is a research careers advisory centre which is focussed on realising the potential of researchers, providing resources on research skills, careers, and professional development opportunities for medical and non-medical academics - Click here
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The council for allied health professions research (CAHPR) aims to develop AHP research and strengthen healthcare professionals value and impact for enhancing care. They provide ten top tips for noive, early career and experience researchers in healthcare - Click here
Keep an eye on our pages as we will be updating these with further links relevant to all healthcare professionals involved in General practice.
Are you interested in further academic training?
Many clinicians engaged in primary care scholarship go on to achieve higher education training opportunities such as a PhD degree, and in partnership with Universities go on to collaborate with the growing network of Academic Primary Care leaders around the world.
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The School for Primary Care Research gives an overview of PHD Studentships - Click here
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You can find out more about the opportunities from the NIHR Fellowship Programme - Click here
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Wellcome also offer annual Clinical PHD Fellowships - Click here
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NIHR Short Placement Award for Research Collaboration – opportunity for trainees to spend time in another part of the NIHR network, train and collaborate - Click here
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In Scotland there are various post CCT fellowships offered for recently qualified GPs.
Rural fellowships provide a taste of rural life and a chance to undertake a project or service development in rural medicine. Health inequalities fellowships provide clinical experience usually in a homeless service or deep end practice along with development time. Education fellowships provide educational experience and the chance to undertake further training.
Academic fellowships involve being attached to one of the major university academic departments and getting experience and training in primary care research. Learn more here
Exact details and recruitment dates vary, normally April to June each year. NHS Education for Scotland and Scottish School of Primary Care will have the details for any one year. You don't have to be based in Scotland to apply (but would have to move to Scotland for the year if successful).
Funding opportunities
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Non-topic specific funding opportunities
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UK Research and Innovation - Click here
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The National Institute of Health Research Invention for innovation product development - Click here
Project specific research funding
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COVID research
- The HRA NIHR Long COVID - Click here
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Cancer research
- Cancer research UK - Click here
- Breast cancer now - Click here
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Aging and frailty - Click here
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Infectious diseases - Health Infection Society - Click here
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Cardiovascular disease
- British Heart Foundation - Click here
- Heart Research - Click here
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Encorine
- Diabetes UK - Click here
- British Thyroid Foundation - Click here
- Royal Osteoporosis Society - Click here
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Neurology
- Motor Neurone Disease Association Cure Parkinsons - Click here
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Dermatology - Alopecia UK - Click here
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Urology - The Urology Foundation - Click here
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Gastroenterology - Crohns and Colitis - Click here
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Paediatrics
- Waterloo Foundation - Click here
- NIHR Child and young peoples’ mental health - Click here
Keep an eye on our pages as we will be updating these with further links relevant to all healthcare professionals involved in General practice.