First Steps into Research

APPLICATIONS FOR COHORT 5 OF THE GATEWAY AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN!

This is a 12-day structured research experience taken flexibly over 12 months for early career professionals to become embedded in an established research team in higher education and/or the NHS to participate in a broad range of research activities.  The individual will have an identified research mentor who will also provide support to explore career development opportunities beyond the funded period.

We have identified 19 ‘First Steps’ opportunities for application for Cohort 5, which are available across four universities and NHS Lothian. Some of the studies may take place in other Health Boards. Full details can be accessed in the table below. These opportunities may not always match a professional’s specialism but should be seen as an opportunity to gain insight and experience into research and to promote the acquisition of transferable knowledge and skills. Some opportunities are at universities outside the Lothian area, however, these should still be considered as much of the contact with the mentor, research team and research activities can be done remotely.

Prospective candidates are also able to propose their own ‘First Steps’ opportunity.  This require extensive engagement with a host research team, a process that would be led by the candidate.  In addition to the standard application form candidates wishing to do this would be required to submit a ‘First Steps into Research Opportunity’ form completed by the host team, which confirms the full details.

Each ‘First Steps’ opportunity will involve the opportunity to achieve a range of relevant Research Development Objectives.

These awards fund the salary costs of 12 days study leave (subject to a cap of £3,500 per award) plus each successful ‘First Steps’ candidate will be awarded access to upto £500 funding that can be put towards a recognised research development opportunity; this could be a Masters level research module, attendance at a research conference, introductory research methods course.  All candidates will be invited to attend Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.

The funding awarded can be applied flexibly over a 12 month period in terms of when the study days are taken.

Applications should be submitted by 16th January 2026.

Application form First Steps Gateway Award – submit to Loth.GatewayAwards@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Please also complete and return an Equal Opportunities Form

Full Terms and Conditions of a First Steps into Research Gateway Award

INSTITUTION	THEME	DETAILS	TARGET GROUP
Edinburgh Napier University	Cardiovascular Health	Studies on atrial fibrillation, stroke rehabilitation and use of healthcare technologies – Prof Lis Neubeck	Nursing, AHP
Edinburgh Napier University	Learning Disabilities	Learning Disabilities Knowledge to Action Research Group – Dr Lisa O’Leary and Prof Nicola Ring	All with an interest in LD research
Edinburgh Napier University	Respiratory Care	Respiratory Care – Professor Nicola Roberts	All
Edinburgh Napier University	Acquisition of clinical skills expertise	Entire portfolio of active research studies within the Special Interest Group for Simulation Based Education (SIGSBE) – Prof Cathal Breen	All
Edinburgh Napier University	Midwifery	Continuity of Midwifery Care – Dr Alix Aitken-Arbuckle and Prof Yvonne Kuipers	Midwifery
Edinburgh Napier University	Mental Health	Mental Health and Mental Disability Research – Prof Jill Stavert, Prof Nadine Dougall, Prof Elizabeth McKay and Dr Fiona Maclean	All
Edinburgh Napier University	Medicine Optimisation	Short Duration Antibiotic Therapy for Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis (SHORTER Trial): A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation of a Randomised Controlled Trial – Dr Gosha Colquhoun, Dr Jamie Smith	All, though particularly pharmacists or other healthcare professionals with an interest in antibiotic resistance, infectious diseases clinical trial methodology, and behavioural science approaches.
Edinburgh Napier University	Nursing	Migration and the History of Nursing in Scotland – Prof Nicola Ring	All
NHS Lothian	Emergency Department	Point-of-care assessment of drug-induced liver injury – Rachel O’Brien, Anna Miell	All
NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh	Clinical Trials	Edinburgh Clinical Research Facilities – Opportunity to be involved in wide range of clinical trials to suit the individual – Dr Corrienne McCulloch and Lesley Briody	All
NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh	Paediatric Critical Care	Data driven improvement research in paediatric critical and acute care / IMPACT-ACE programme – Dr Milly Lo, Dr Laura Smith	All
NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh	Infectious Diseases	Clinical infection research including sexual health, blood borne viruses, microbiology, Covid -19 and emerging infection – Amy Shepherd, Susie Ferguson	All
NHS Lothian/University of Glasgow	Paediatric Rheumatology	Developing CAIRN, the Child-to-adulthood Arthritis and Inflammation Research Network across Scotland – Dr Catriona Anderson, Dr Mary Brennan, Dr Eve Smith	All
Queen Margaret University	Clinical Audiology, Speech and Language Research Centre	Systematic review of neuro-affirming practices in health, education, employment and criminal justice – Dr Marion Rutherford	Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy
Queen Margaret University	Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research	Longitudinal profiles of lower limb range of motion in children with cerebral palsy using data from the Cerebral Palsy Integrated Pathway Scotland programme – Dr Marietta Van Der Linden	Physiotherapy
Queen Margaret University	Osteoporosis	Lydia X Osteoporosis project – Prof Erna Haraldsdottir, Gemma Stevenson, Vicki Waga	All
Queen Margaret University	Kidney Care	Qualitative Kidney Care Research Collaboration – Dr Alison Wood	All
Queen Margaret University	Prescribing and Advanced Roles	Evaluation of the Prescribing Learning Journey – Dr Alison Wood, Margot McCulloch	All with an interest in prescribing and advanced roles
University of Edinburgh	Homelessness and Substance Use	Let the people sing: A qualitative study of the views of people experiencing homelessness who inject drugs on options for the management of their substance use – Dr Richard Lowrie, Dr Samuel Glass	All

First Steps Opportunities 2026

Aims

1. To identify early career NMAHPPS professionals who demonstrate interest and potential for a clinical academic research career
2. To create a rich and realistic introduction to a research career by providing experience of participating in an existing research study or supporting the development of a funding application.
3. To provide mentorship and support regarding the next steps on clinical academic research career pathway.

Target Group

• NMAHPPS employed by NHS Lothian who are keen to develop research relevant skills and knowledge
• Applicants are likely to be early career, however, more experienced NMAHPPs may be considered
• Ideally undergraduate NMAHPPS students should be made aware of the prospect of the award during the final year of their learning programme and should be encouraged to make links with the respective NHS Lothian research leads at an early stage of their employment.

Criteria for Application

• In a substantive post employed by NHS Lothian
• Identification of research interest within personal development plan

Criteria for Award

• Support from immediate line manager to be released for study leave
• Clarification from candidate and line manager that any identified area of research interest is relevant to NHS Lothian priorities

Expected Outcomes

There are a range of outcomes that could arise from this award:

• Engagement in research tasks associated with an ongoing research project (e.g. recruitment, consenting, data collection, data analysis, report writing etc.)
• Participation in systematic reviewing processes (e.g. database searching, screening, data extraction etc.)
• Networking activities (e.g. conference attendance for presenting a poster/abstract etc either as first or co-author etc)
• Named author on publication associated with the research project (this may come at a later stage after the end of the funded award)

Next Steps

• Candidates could be considered for an ongoing academic home with the research team (see Lothian NMAHPPS Clinical and Academic Home Framework)
• There may be opportunities to apply for a Research Masters Gateway award or, if the candidate has sufficient academic experience, a Pre-doctoral Gateway
• Candidates will be invited to join the NMAHPPS Doctoral Network for ongoing peer support and networking