Programme Director: Dr Charlotte Summers
Introduction
An Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) offers the opportunity to spend 25% protected time on academic research. The remaining 75% will be spent in clinical training, during which time clinical competencies must be met. An ACF is funded for up to 3 years (4 years for General Practice) and most posts are offered at CT1 or CT2, with guaranteed run-through in the specialty specified. However, there are some specialties which require trainees to have completed their core competencies and these posts will be advertised at ST3 or ST4.
Academic Fellowships are part of the NIHR’s Integrated Academic Training Pathway. Each year, NIHR allocate a number of (formula) posts to Cambridge and also invites Cambridge to bid for additional (competition) posts in priority themes. In addition, individual departments can provide funding for Local ACF posts.
ACF Posts
Posts are advertised each October for posts to start in the following August. Current posts available and information on how to apply is accessible from the link in the left-hand navigation.
Why Cambridge?
Cambridge can guarantee world-class research training in combination with exceptional clinical training. The appointments process, induction events, academic reviews and mentoring focuses on both training and the formulation of a PhD/next stage fellowship application. ACFs are not restricted to local projects and are actively encouraged to visit other labs nationally and internationally, where appropriate.
A significant number of our ACF alumni have progressed into nationally competitive PhDs, ‘next-phase’ fellowships or other equivalent academic placements. A large number have also undertaken part-time University of Cambridge degree courses.
Funding Support
Annual Training Bursary
Additional funding support is available to all ACF trainees in the form of an annual training bursary of £1,000 per year which can be used to cover expenses incurred in attending academic courses and conferences. The year runs from 1 August to 31 July and bursaries cannot be rolled forward to future years.
Claims can only be made after the event has been attended and must be made within three months of attending. Please also ensure that:
- The claim is made on the correct claim form.
- You have provided proof of attendance.
- Original receipts are presented. We can accept email payment confirmation.
- Your academic supervisor has signed your claim form
You can only claim for yourself – if your receipts include travel/accommodation for a buddy, please highlight this on your form and it will be apportioned appropriately.
If your claim is in a currency other than Sterling (£), it will be paid at the exchange rate on the date of the transaction. We use Oanda as our universal converter and encourage you also use this, as it will help speed up the process.
The bursary does not cover claims for clinical courses, including revision courses, consumables, kit, laptops, books, etc, just Academic courses and conferences, with associated travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
Accommodation – Please note the University’s policy prohibits the use of AirBnB (and similar) facilities.
Course Fees
ACFs who would like to register for a University of Cambridge taught Masters degree course, may apply for a contribution of £2,000 towards the cost of the fees due to the University. Please note research degree fees are not covered. Please contact us prior to registering for a course to confirm whether the course is valid for making a claim. Claims can only be made for reimbursement of fees already paid. Please arrange to pay the fee directly yourself and then submit a claim.
