A catalyst to unlock the next generation of research leaders

The NIHR GOSH Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Fellowships are transforming early-career researchers into independent leaders - driving innovation, attracting millions in funding and shaping the future of paediatric science.

For many researchers, the transition from post-doctoral researcher to independence is the most challenging step in an academic career. The NIHR GOSH BRC Catalyst and Intermediate Fellowships were created to bridge that gap - and the impact has been transformative.

Since the launch of the Catalyst programme, the scheme has invested over £1.13 million to support 15 fellows, enabling them to develop competitive fellowship applications and establish independent research trajectories. The return on investment has been extraordinary, with fellows securing nearly £8 million in external funding and building research programmes that span rare diseases, gene therapy and emerging therapies.

The programme facilitates protected research time, expert mentorship, and structured development support.

Fellows receive:

• Up to 18 months’ salary support
• Personalised mentoring from senior leaders
• Funding for PPIE and preliminary research
• Interview coaching and application feedback

The results speak for themselves. Fellows have gone on to:

• Secure prestigious national and international fellowships
• Publish hundreds of research papers
• File patents and develop new therapeutic approaches
• Step into leadership roles across the BRC

In the 6th year of Catalyst Fellowships, we worked with our clinical community to develop Intermediate Fellowships. The Fellowships offer clinical staff who, while they may have a PhD, have had less research experience than their academic peers, access to a ring-fenced scheme to springboard their research ambitions.

Professor Philippa Mills, co-lead of the Career Development Academy (CDA) said: “I know first-hand the power of a Fellowship from the GOSH BRC. I received an award similar to the Catalyst Fellowship grant in 2009, it facilitated me becoming a named applicant on a large grant. From there I went on to develop a Lectureship and my academic career has now led me to a place where I can help bring up the next generation and emerging leaders of tomorrow.”

As one of the BRC’s flagship programmes, the Fellowships demonstrates the power of targeted investment in people to deliver lasting impact for patients and society. The CDA has invested £2.1m supporting 25 Catalyst fellows since its inception in 2018

For more information about the Catalyst scheme, or any other funding opportunities, please check out our funding pages.