ARC East of England Research and Impact Fellowships

Since the scheme was established in 2010, more than 170 ARC Fellowships have been awarded across the health and care sectors in the East of England, building capacity to conduct research and implement evidence-based practice within organisations. With annual calls, over 60 fellows will be trained between 2026 and 2031, supporting professionals from a wide range of backgrounds and organisations.

The next round is expected to open in September/October 2026, for an April 2027 start.

The ARC East of England Fellowship supports health and care staff with hands-on experience to lead small-scale research projects, bringing fresh thinking, innovation, and practical insight to health and care research. Open to those working across the health, care, and voluntary sectors in the East of England, the scheme is ideal for individuals interested in working at the interface of research and practice, offering opportunities to build skills in research methods, service improvement, change management, and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

What types of fellowship programmes are available?

There are two types of fellowships available:

Research: This fellowship focuses on local applied research and evaluation projects, including audits. It aims to build local capacity for evidence-informed practice, supporting fellows in generating and using evidence to improve services.
Impact: This fellowship is designed for individuals interested in implementing and disseminating evidence-based improvements in health and care settings. It supports the development of knowledge and skills for achieving real-world impact from research.

Applicants can apply for either the ARC Research Fellowship or ARC Impact Fellows.

What should projects focus on?

Prospective applicants are also encouraged to refer to the 10 Year Health Plan for England and consider how their proposal addresses the three key shifts in how the NHS aims to operate: