The Academy of Medical Sciences is overhauling how early-career researchers in the UK get the funding, connections, and career support they need to become independent scientists. The problem is that talented biomedical researchers often stall at the transition from training to leading their own labs, especially if they work across disciplines or move between universities, hospitals, and industry. Current career pathways are fragmented, and the research workforce lacks diversity. Over five years, the Academy will expand its Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers and Springboard for Biomedical Researchers schemes, and launch new programmes that force cross-sector collaboration. If successful, this creates a regional infrastructure that systematically produces cohorts of future research leaders who are equipped to tackle complex health challenges—from new treatments to public health interventions. The impact is not a single discovery but a more resilient, diverse, and connected research ecosystem across UK universities, the NHS, and industry. This is a structural intervention in how science gets done, not a specific experiment.
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The Academy of Medical Sciences’ mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. The vision set out in this proposal is central to our strategy to create a diverse workforce of researchers to advance scientific discovery and to generate and optimise improvements in health. Drawing on our strengths of breadth, connectivity and unparalleled career support activities, over the next five years we will: - Support researchers’ transition to independence by enhancing our Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers and Springboard for Biomedical Researchers schemes - Promote health innovation with new programmes that support greater cross-disciplinary and pan-sector connectivity and collaboration by researchers This proposal will enable us deliver a platform of cohesive, innovative activities that enhance research career pathways and achieve wider positive impacts on diversity and research culture. Our proven track record in galvanising action across the sector and leveraging further funding will drive greater coordination and effort across the UK’s university, healthcare and industry sectors. In five years’ time we will have created mechanisms and a regional infrastructure that will equip and support cohorts of excellent researchers and future leaders to work collaboratively and proactively in addressing societal health challenges.
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