The annual event brings together doctoral trainees from across the NIHR. It’s designed to provide guidance and practical experience following one core theme. This year’s theme was on Applying for Further Funding.
A key aspect of a career in research is the ability to know how to put together a successful application for funding. This training camp offered delegates access to workshops, inspirational speakers and practical experience in preparing grant proposals. BRC PhD researchers Tiago da Silva Costa, Anthony McLean and Jose Verdú-Díaz attended the training. After their return, they shared their experience and thoughts:
Anthony: From early in the camp, it was evident that we were receiving a learning experience that you just cannot get anywhere else. The whole event was very well organised, from the talks to the grant application task itself. It was also clear that effort had been put it to make the grant writing task as realistic as possible: scheduling meetings with experts for guidance, selling the project to different audiences and coordinating sign offs before submission. The fact that the NIHR can deliver such a high-quality event annually is a testament to the diverse expertise within its infrastructure and how valued we are as doctoral students. I would highly recommend this opportunity to any trainees who are thinking of applying.
Tiago: If I had to describe it in one word: intense. Therefore, I would recommend any future attendees to put on automatic out-of-office replies on their emails, as there won’t be any time for catching up on admin. Looking back, the overall experience was that of a very well organised event with a tight schedule, where nothing is left to chance. You meet a lot of people in a very short amount of time and achieve more in a couple of days than most would in a couple of weeks. While there is a “game” aspect to the experience, the total immersion makes it feel very real. It pushes you out of your comfort zone in a way that makes you grow. Thankfully, I felt like there was always help around, so it is a great way to learn.
José: The training camp provided an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the NIHR grant application review process. It offered valuable insights into the significance placed on Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities, as well as the key considerations and common pitfalls when applying to the NIHR. The programme was notably intensive, leaving little time for checking emails or attending to other work-related tasks. The event was exceptionally well organised, supported by an outstanding group of mentors and coaches who guided participants throughout the activities. Although demanding and fast-paced, I would highly recommend the experience to prospective applicants.
José: One of the most striking exercises was preparing a mock grant application within 24 hours, which demonstrated that tasks we often postpone or overthink can, in fact, be accomplished efficiently under time pressure with the right focus and teamwork. As a PhD student, much of my work is carried out independently, which can sometimes lead to an overreliance on individual effort. The camp highlighted the importance of effective delegation and collaboration, showing how a well-coordinated team can achieve far more than any individual working alone. It reinforced key principles of successful research leadership, including clear communication, trust in colleagues' expertise, and the ability to prioritise essential tasks. Beyond the practical skills of writing competitive grant applications, the camp emphasised broader take-home messages about time management, adaptability, and the value of constructive feedback.
Anthony: This experience really showed me the power of multi-disciplinary work. At the start of the grant application task, we were split into teams with a mixture of professional backgrounds. This benefitted us massively and allowed us to share knowledge with each other. There were multiple occasions where we were exposed to a method or strategy that we were not aware of beforehand, yet fit perfectly for our project. Research questions need to strike a balance between feasibility and potential impact. Equally, the project team needs to have the right expertise, leadership and supporting infrastructure to ensure that these questions can be addressed.
Tiago: PhDs can be lonely experiences, where you focus on a well-defined piece of work, and get your head down to deliver it. It is easy to forget that there are dozens of people across the whole NIHR structure who are going through a similar process, struggling with sometimes almost exactly the same issues, other times with things you never thought about. Being reminded that my day-to-day challenges are experienced by others was reassuring, and it increased my sense of community within NIHR. Large structures like the NIHR can at times feel like a distant abstraction and this experience was a very good reminder that it is very tangible and made up of real people.
Tiago: I have not been particularly active in reaching out to other PhD students around me with diverse specialisms. The work is so intense that the risk-benefit of leaving your bubble seems often pointless; or you hold it off for “next time”. Being “forced” to work in a truly multidisciplinary group where most people were not clinicians by training was a good reminder of the value. I was inspired to leverage the expertise of the wider community around my BRC in Newcastle, as it was clear that much more can be achieved that way.
José: I will apply what I learned to strengthen future grant applications, ensuring that they clearly align with the priorities of the funding body. I will also be more proactive in seeking feedback from colleagues through the application process, recognising the value of collaboration and diverse perspectives.
Anthony: I applied for this training camp because I plan to apply for further funding after my PhD. This experience has strengthened my determination to do so. My learnings will help me to construct suitable research questions and build the right team around me to address them. I have also begun to share my experience with colleagues in Newcastle, which has prompted valuable discussions concerning patient and public involvement and engagement.
More about the NIHR Doctoral Research Training Camp