NIHR Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP) in Scotland - Eligibility

You can apply for the NIHR Principal Investigator Pipeline Programme (PIPP) in Scotland if you are a registered health and care professional from the following list only:

• nurses and midwives
• allied health professionals
• pharmacists, healthcare scientists, and registered social work/public health professionals. 

You must have sufficient experience in research delivery to develop your role into a principal investigator (PI) on NIHR portfolio studies (at least 50% of your current role needs to be within research delivery). There are no specific requirements based on your current pay band or length of time working in research.

You must have the support of both your line manager and a local PI(s) and you can commit to the timeframe of the programme (12-18 months). You will be asked to provide your line manager's contact information when you submit your application. 

If you already have PI experience

You can also apply if you have taken on the role of PI in the past and want to consolidate your learning and expand your knowledge and experience.

Employment criteria

You must be employed as one of the listed health and care professions with an eligible organisation throughout the programme. Eligible organisations are:

• ambulatory services
• any organisation delivering services funded by the Social Care Directorate in Scotland
• community care
• dental practices
• GP practices or primary care networks
• hospices
• local authorities
• NHS Boards
• prison service
• social care providers
• voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) 

If you have a substantive contract with a university, you must also have an honorary contract with an organisation funded by the Social Care Directorate, to meet the criteria of undertaking the PI role on a NIHR portfolio study. This role should:

• have a specified clinical or leadership remit for at least two days per week (0.4 FTE)
• be in place before you submit your application.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. We encourage applications from registered health and care professionals working across a range of settings, including primary, secondary, community and social care.

Equality, diversity and inclusion at NIHR 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about eligibility

Is the PIPP open to all registered health and care professionals?

To be eligible, you must be a registered health and care professional and work in a research delivery capacity for at least 50% of your role.

Registered health and care professionals who are not funded for 50% or more of their time to work in research (and therefore not eligible for the PIPP), can apply to take part in another NIHR research development initiative called the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme.

Associate Principal Investigator Scheme

Is PIPP only for health and care professionals working in secondary care?

No, the programme is open to registered health and care professionals working in primary, secondary and out of hospital settings. This includes community, public health and social care settings.

I am employed by a Scottish University as a research NMAPH. Am I eligible for the scheme?

Yes, if you are a registered NMAHP, your role involves clinical research delivery, and you work clinically with participants. 

Do I need to be on a specific Agenda for Change (AfC) band to take part?

There are no requirements about AfC banding or time within a research role. Applicants should have enough research delivery experience to feel competent to wish to develop their role further to be a Principal Investigator.

Is the PIPP open to Clinical Research Practitioners (CRPs)?

The PIPP is currently only open to research nurses, midwives, AHPs, pharmacists, healthcare scientists, and registered social work/public health professionals. Other professional groups are advised to contact their research network or speak to their organisational research office to find out about alternative research development programmes.

Is NIHR PIPP in Scotland open to nurses/AHPs who don't live and work in Scotland?

The NIHR PIPP in Scotland programme is only open to registered health and care professionals working in Scotland.  To apply for the programme in England and Wales, please visit the NIHR website.

NIHR website - for applications for England and Wales 

How are applications evaluated?

All applications are reviewed by a panel of assessors. Since space is limited, selections are based on the strength and overall merit of each application. 

When will I know if my application has been successful or not?

All applicants will receive an email in January with the outcome of their application. 

Next - How to apply

Return to main PIPP in Scotland page.

Contact for more information - please email education@edinburghcrf.ed.ac.uk.