BEACON – Building Translational Research Excellence Amongst Clinicians of the North

Watch the recording of the BEACON Application Award webinar
Register for BEACON Award Application Clinic – 14/10/26

BEACON is a Medical Research Council (MRC) funded programme, delivered through the MRC Regional Account for Clinical Researchers (RACR) pilot scheme, that is designed to strengthen clinical academic careers and research leadership across the North of England.

Hosted by Newcastle University and delivered by Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP) Academy, on behalf of a consortium of universities and NHS partners across the North of England convened by the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), BEACON brings together established and emerging centres to strengthen research leadership, collaboration and career development for clinicians working within the MRC remit.

About BEACON

The programme builds on the North’s strong track record in discovery science and clinical research, alongside established partnerships within the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), to create a coordinated regional platform that connects expertise, shares best practice, and maximises opportunity, visibility and impact for clinical academics at key career stages.

BEACON offers:

  • Flexible funding designed to meet the real needs of clinical researchers
  • Access to a powerful regional network spanning leading universities and NHS organisations
  • Multi-professional support, open to all clinical disciplines
  • Opportunities to collaborate across institutions and specialties
  • Tailored support at key career transition points

By bringing together expertise across the North, BEACON aims to create a stronger, more connected clinical academic community.

For more information:

Watch our Introduction to BEACON webinar recording
View the slides from the Introduction to BEACON webinar

Funding calls

BEACON offers two complementary funding routes:

  1. The MRC BEACON Award
  2. Fast, Flexible and Frequent (4Fs) Funding.

Details of eligibility, scope and application timelines for both routes will be published on this site ahead of each call.

The MRC BEACON Award funding call, will provide up to £50,000 to support protected research time for registered healthcare professionals with a PhD or MD. The scheme aims to help researchers maintain or re-establish research momentum and strengthen their competitiveness for future fellowships and research awards.  

Applicants can request funding equivalent to up to 50% protected research time over a 12-month period, enabling them to undertake research and career development activities alongside their clinical role. Awards are expected to begin within six months of funding decisions being confirmed. 

The funding call specifically targets two recognised clinical academic career “pinch points”: doctors and dentists returning to academic training following completion of a PhD or MD, and registered healthcare professionals returning to research after a period away from research. 

  • The MRC BEACON Award has been designed to support all registered healthcare professionals (Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists and Healthcare Scientists) with research doctorates (PhDs & MDs), at two key career transition points, where individuals are at greatest risk of leaving the clinical academic pathway.
  • The award aims to support doctors and dentists who have completed doctoral research and are returning to clinical training, helping them maintain research momentum while progressing towards the next stage of their clinical academic career
  • The award also supports registered healthcare professionals who have completed a PhD and are returning to research following a period away from research. The scheme provides protected research time to help re-establish research activity and prepare for future fellowship or grant applications.
  • If you are in doubt about your eligibility please read the application form and the FAQs and if you are still unsure you should seek advice from either your centre lead or the central BEACON team.

The resources below contain everything you need to prepare and submit an MRC BEACON Award application. Applicants should read the guidance carefully before applying.

The 4Fs fund is designed to provide rapid access to smaller amounts of funding for initiatives explicitly linked to MRC remit acitivities and where timely support can unlock opportunity or protect momentum.

Further information on the 4Fs fund will be published here in due course.

Broad BEACON

BROAD BEACON is creating an academic development network across the consortium and open to all.

It includes:

  • Mentorship and peer support
  • Training and skills development programmes
  • Networking and collaboration opportunities across the region
  • Access to shared expertise across partner institutions

The MRC Know your Funder event, which took place on 17/09/26, was an opportunity to hear directly from senior representatives of the Medical Research Council (MRC) and gain valuable insight into its career development and funding opportunities.

Watch the recording of the event here and view the slides here.

Participating organisations

BEACON brings together a unique regional consortium of universities, NHS organisations and partners across the North of England. The programme is also supported by a wider network of industry, charity, and national partners.

BEACON brings together 13 universities across the North of England. Please find contact details for your Centre Lead here.

Please note: You do not have to be employed by one of the above trusts in order to be eligible for the Main BEACON Funding Programme. Part of your eligibility is through the HEI sponsoring your application. Please see the Applicant Guidance and FAQ document or enquire with your Centre Lead for more information.

BEACON is supported by a network of:

  • Industry partners
  • Charities and foundations
  • National organisations and research infrastructure bodies

Governance and programme leadership

BEACON is supported by a robust governance and management structure to ensure effective delivery, transparent decision-making, and strong collaboration across the network.

Chair: Professor Dave Jones, OBE

The Management Group brings together Centre Leads from each partner university and is responsible for:

  • Overseeing delivery of BEACON activities across all centres
  • Coordinating the regional development programme
  • Setting strategy, success metrics and priorities
  • Monitoring progress and outcomes

The group also includes key roles such as funding panel chairs and stakeholder representation to ensure joined-up governance

Chair: Dr Amy Brown

Project Manager: Matthew Hosken

The Operations Group manages the day-to-day delivery of BEACON. It includes roles such as programme management, partnerships, data and communications.

This group supports:

  • Implementation of funding calls and processes
  • Communications and engagement activities
  • Data monitoring and reporting
  • Coordination across partners and stakeholders

BEACON funding decisions are made through two panels:

Main Funding Panel

Chair: Professor Anne-Maree Keenan OBE (University of Leeds)

Deputy Chair: Siddharth Banka (University of Manchester)

  • Responsible for awarding major funding
  • Operates independently from programme leadership
  • Includes representatives from partner institutions

Fast, Flexible & Frequent (4Fs) Panel

Chair: Professor David Jones OBE

  • Oversees rapid decision-making for smaller, time-critical awards
  • Meets regularly to ensure timely support

All panels are composed of experienced researchers and operate in line with principles of fairness, transparency and equality.

Chair: Dr Wezi Sendama

The Stakeholder Group represents the clinical academic community across BEACON, including a range of professions and career stages.

It ensures that:

  • The voices of trainees and fellows inform BEACON activities
  • Programme development reflects real needs
  • Feedback is embedded into decision-making

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please contact: nhrp.academy@newcastle.ac.uk