NHRP Academy supports researchers to secure NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Awards
Tuesday September 22, 2026
Two exceptional researchers in the North East have been awarded the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA) to support their development as future clinical academic leaders.
The SCPRA provides up 50% of salary buy out for a period of time for postdoctoral researchers to engage in professional development activities.
It supports senior clinicians and practitioners who have previously obtained a PhD/MD and provides protected time within their current roles to engage in research activities, develop their collaborations and prepare for their next step as clinical and practitioner academic leaders.
Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP) Academy
The two SCPRA awardees are from NHRP’s partner organisations, Newcastle University and Northumbria University. With both awardees benefiting from NHRP Academy support throughout the application process.
The NIHR SCPRA plays a key role in supporting the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England, which highlights the importance of growing the research workforce across clinical and non-clinical roles and making academic careers more accessible, with NHRP Academy already making tangible progress towards these goals.
Dave Jones OBE, Director of NHRP Academy, said:
“We are delighted to see Sarah and Adam receive these prestigious NIHR awards. Their success reflects the strength of clinical and practitioner research in the North East and the impact these awards can have in developing future research leaders. Through NHRP Academy, we are proud to support researchers on their clinical academic journeys and help grow a thriving research workforce across our region.”
Meet the awardees
Dr Sarah Moore – Associate Professor at Northumbria University, Honorary Highly Specialist Physiotherapist at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust and Associate Clinical Researcher, Stroke Research Group at Newcastle University
Dr Moore will use her SCPRA to accelerate her ambition of leading large-scale stroke rehabilitation trials that improve life after stroke. The award will provide protected time to develop the Physical Activity Routines After Stroke (PARAS) programme and prepare major NIHR funding applications to test its effectiveness. Sarah will also apply for NIHR funding to expand her pilot work exploring community walking interventions after stroke. Sarah hopes the work will lead to stronger evidence for stroke rehabilitation, support more inclusive approaches to physical activity after stroke, and ultimately influence clinical practice and national guidelines.
Dr Moore said: “Alongside advice on the most suitable fellowship route, NHRP Academy provided valuable feedback on my application, support with my letter of support, and the opportunity to learn from previous SCPRA award holders. This guidance was instrumental in helping me put together a competitive application.”
Dr Adam Pattison Rathbone – Lecturer in Clinical and Social Pharmacy at Newcastle University
Dr Rathbone will use his SCPRA to advance research into the use of sleep medicines, including melatonin, and how prescribing decisions are influenced by clinical, social and regulatory factors. The award will provide protected time for Adam to build a national and international network of collaborators, develop expertise in translational clinical medicine, and explore how existing healthcare data can be used to improve the safe and effective use of medicines. His work aims to generate evidence that can support better prescribing decisions and improve patient access to appropriate treatments to improve the sleep of children and adults.
On receiving the award, Dr Rathbone said:
“This award is a really significant opportunity for me. For the last decade I’ve been balancing research ambitions alongside teaching, clinical practice and other major commitments, including helping to establish a new School of Pharmacy, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and adopting two children. The SCPRA will provide protected time to focus on research questions I’ve wanted to pursue for many years and build the skills, collaborations and evidence needed to make a real difference to patient care.”
Commenting on the support he received from NHRP Academy, Dr Rathbone said:
“I can’t thank Amy Brown and the NHRP Academy enough for their support. When I first started thinking about applying, I wasn’t convinced I had the right experience for a SCPRA award. Amy’s coaching, encouragement and ability to connect me with the right people really helped me see the opportunity differently.”
Community building and peer support
Alongside the individual benefits of the award, the new SCPRA awardees are joining a growing community of senior clinical and practitioner researchers across the North East.
NHRP Academy has connected this year’s awardees with colleagues from the region who received SCPRA funding in previous rounds and were keen to share their experiences. While the network is still in its early stages, discussions are underway to establish regular opportunities for award holders to come together, either online or in person.
Dr Meredith James, Clinical Specialist Neuromuscular Physiotherapist at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC), said:
“We aim to create a supportive peer community where awardees can share experiences, discuss challenges, exchange ideas and learn from one another as they progress through their awards and develop as future research leaders. Enabling us to continue to build on the local capacity of clinical academics.”
Get in touch with NHRP Academy
Applications for Cohort 4 of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA) are expected to open soon. If you are an NHRP partner and are considering applying, please get in touch with the NHRP Academy team as soon as possible to find out how they can support you with your application: nhrp.academy@newcastle.ac.uk