ACFs are joint appointments between Health Education North East and Newcastle University. They are funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and as trainees have won their funding in a national competition, they are supernumerary positions. This is the first formal stage of the Integrated Academic Training (IAT) programme. The purpose of an ACF is to enable trainees to apply for a doctoral training fellowship from a research council, major research charity or the NIHR in order to undertake a PhD or MD.
ACFs spend 25 per cent of their time in research and 75 per cent in clinical training. The ACF lasts up to a maximum of three years. These posts attract high-achieving trainees who obtain clinical competencies more quickly than most, meaning training is not as prolonged despite the time spent in research. Research time may run throughout the year alongside the clinical training, but usually there are specific four-month blocks dedicated to research.
Greig Taylor is a dental academic clinical fellow and here he explains why he chose to start his research career journey in the North East and North Cumbria.
For more information and how to apply lease follow the link to the Integrated Academic Training Guide.
This new animation shows how healthcare professionals are being encouraged to develop a clinical academic career. It describes the opportunities on offer to all professions as part of HEE’s Clinical Academic Careers Framework which brings together research programmes funded by HEE and the NIHR.