The annual NIHR Doctoral Training Camp brings together promising doctoral students from across the health and care research landscape for an intensive, collaborative deep-dive into the realities of securing future funding and shaping independent research pathways.
PhD students Faiza Yahya, Lauren Lawson, Jessica McCann and Liyuan Zhu recently joined this year’s cohort on 7th-9th July in Hinckley, tackling collaborative challenges, pitch simulations, and expert masterclasses. Here, in their own words, they share their personal highlights, key takeaways, and honest reflections on what the experience meant for their evolving careers:
“I remember looking at stressed academics when they have a grant application deadline approaching, as they try to shut off from the world to get this done in time. The stress, the late nights, the extra time put in around their already busy schedule, only to then get a rejection after rejection. That was enough to put me off and terrify me from ever wanting to put together a grant application! I didn’t think that would all change by attending the NIHR Doctoral Training Camp 2026. As the camp started, I remember feeling like I was on ‘The Apprentice’, I thought “what have I let myself into!?”. 24-hours to meet a whole new team of diverse backgrounds, figure out a research question, make multiple appointments with experts (methodologists, statisticians, PPIE contributors, finance, directors) to then write a competitive application for half a million pounds, and submit this by a 5pm deadline. Not only that but present this to a tough panel the next day. Easy right?! I must say that this was one of the best experiences I have ever attended, and I was fortunate to have such a lovely team and mentor, that made this a success. I was really shocked to hear that out of 10 very good teams and projects; we won the award for best application! My key takeaways from the experience were the importance of a good team, collaboration with different expertise and great mentorship are valuable, as well as active leadership and planning. We had embedded PPIE and inclusivity throughout the project which drove and shaped the application, and we were already thinking about future applications. I am very grateful to the NIHR for creating such useful opportunities for us early career researchers and NIHR Newcastle PSRC for nominating me to attend.”
– Faiza Yahya, PhD student
“I was honoured to attend the 17th NIHR Doctoral Research Training Camp. The three-day programme provided an intensive and highly rewarding opportunity to develop essential research funding skills while collaborating with doctoral researchers from a wide range of disciplines across the UK. A key challenge of the training camp was to work in newly formed multidisciplinary teams to develop a fictitious NIHR research funding application worth £500,000 within just 24 hours. From identifying an important research question and designing an appropriate methodology to considering PPIE, budgeting, anticipated outputs, and research impact, the exercise closely reflected the complexities of preparing a competitive funding proposal.”
“Working alongside researchers from diverse academic backgrounds highlighted the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Although developing ideas within a newly formed team inevitably involved different perspectives and constructive debate, the experience reinforced the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and shared problem-solving in addressing complex healthcare challenges. I am sincerely grateful to the Newcastle PSRC for providing this excellent opportunity, from which I learned from experienced researchers and fellow delegates, and the knowledge, skills, and connections gained will undoubtedly support my future research career.”
– Liyuan Zhu, PhD Student
“Thank you to the NIHR academy for such an informative and challenging doctoral camp. It was fun to see familiar faces and meet fellow doctoral students from across the NIHR infrastructure. Although at times stressful, the camp was eye-opening and offered valuable insight into what a future career in academia entails.”
– Jessica McCann, PhD Student
“Attending the NIHR Doctoral Training Camp was an opportunity to connect and collaborate with PhD students from across different branches of the NIHR infrastructure. As my research sits within the theme of safer integrated health and social care environments in the NIHR Newcastle PSRC, it was great to see such a strong emphasis on the importance of social care research throughout the busy 3-day programme. I also valued the focus on lived experience and realist approaches, both of which are central to my PhD and public engagement activities with unpaid carers. The event was a well-timed opportunity to learn from others, share perspectives and reflect on how diverse areas of research can come together to address complex challenges in health and care.”
– Lauren Lawson, PhD Student
Pictured left to right – Lauren Lawson, Faiza Yahya, Liyuan Zhu, Jessica McCann