Training
Learning and Development
We are committed to supporting the ongoing professional development of health and care professionals and support staff across the West Midlands. We offer a range of training opportunities to enable staff to conduct studies to the highest ethical and scientific standards. Training is freely available to all staff who contribute to NIHR Portfolio studies in the region.
Research Delivery
We provide training on a range of topics including introduction to research in a range of health and care settings, research management and governance, research delivery including GCP, and leading research as a PI or CI. Training is delivered through a blended learning format; course information, learning resources and seminar recordings are available through the West Midlands Research Training Collaborative - wmrtc.org.
All courses are advertised and booked via a dedicated website, NIHR Learn. Login is required for access. Please take a look at our guide, Accessing NIHR Learn.
Introduction to the NIHR and CRN WM - This e-learning resource will introduce you to the NIHR Clinical Research Network. It is for anyone working in research delivery and management roles in the West Midlands . You can complete it in any order, and return to it as many times as you wish to make use of the links and resources signposted within it.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)
Starting out in Health and Social Care Research - Get step-by-step guidance on every stage of the research process to kickstart your career in health and social care research. This course is designed for health and social care professionals in any field who are planning to get involved in research. It's free for NHS and NHS-affiliated staff. Find out more and register via FutureLearn.
Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research
Learn how medical treatments are discovered, tested and evaluated to improve healthcare for all. It’s a free four-week course for anyone who wants to find out about health and care research improves healthcare.
Research Leadership:
Associate Principal Investigator (API) Scheme
This is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for healthcare professionals starting their research career. People who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in clinical research in their day-to-day role have the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of an enthusiastic Local PI.
Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP)
This programme is aimed at Research Delivery Nurses and Midwives who want to develop their research leadership skills and become Principal Investigators (PIs) to deliver NIHR portfolio studies.
Chief Investigator (CI) Development CRN WM Research Scholars & Personal Development Award- these awards are to develop Chief Investigators of the future and offer protected time, mentorship and support. Information about the programme can be found on our site and details of the 23/24 application process are in this document.
NIHR Academy
The NIHR Academy is responsible for the development and coordination of NIHR academic training, career development and research capacity development.
CRN WM Clinical Academic Mentorship & Leadership Programme
The CRN West Midlands Clinical Academic Mentorship and Leadership Programme is an early career research programme for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals, Psychologists, Pharmacists, Pharmacists Technicians and Health Care Scientists (NMAHPs+). Details of eligibility content and structure. Apply using this form.
For more information, including details of our forthcoming training, please visit our dedicated Workforce Development site or email training.crnwestmidlands@nihr.