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  1. About Us
    1. About Us
    2. The Team
    3. Member Organisations
    4. Governance
  2. Research & Knowledge Mobilisation
    1. Research & Knowledge Mobilisation
    2. Impact
    3. Social Care and Social Work
      1. Social Care and Social Work
      2. Social Care - Kent, Surrey & Sussex Region
        1. Social Care - Kent, Surrey & Sussex Region
        2. Meet the team
    4. Starting Well: Children's Mental Health
      1. Starting Well: Children's Mental Health
      2. Meet the team
    5. Primary and Community Health Services
      1. Primary and Community Health Services
      2. Meet the team
    6. Living Well with Dementia
      1. Living Well with Dementia
      2. Meet the team
    7. Co-production
      1. Co-production
      2. Meet the team
    8. Public Health
      1. Public Health
      2. Meet the team
    9. Digital Innovation
      1. Digital Innovation
      2. Meet the team
    10. Economics of Health and Social Care
      1. Economics of Health and Social Care
      2. Meet the team
    11. Implementation
      1. Implementation
      2. Meet the team
    12. Rapid Evidence Synthesis
      1. Rapid Evidence Synthesis
      2. Meet the team
    13. Knowledge Mobilisation
      1. Knowledge Mobilisation
      2. Meet the team
  3. Public and Community Involvement
    1. Public and Community Involvement
    2. What is PCIE?
    3. Getting Involved
    4. Support for researchers
    5. Resources
    6. PCIE Guide
      1. PCIE Guide
      2. Contents
      3. Introduction
        1. Introduction
        2. An overview of ARC KSS
        3. Who can help you with PCIE?
        4. Terminology and PCIE
      4. Why and When to do PCIE
        1. Why and When to do PCIE
        2. Why involve members of the public in research?
        3. Why do members of the public want to get involved in research?
        4. When to get members of the public involved?
      5. How to do PCIE
        1. How to do PCIE
        2. Communication and Accessibility
        3. Budgeting
        4. Planning for involvement and engagement
        5. How to recruit members of the public
        6. Inclusive Research
        7. Approaches – different options for undertaking PCIE
        8. Facilitating meetings and Group dynamics
        9. Ethics
        10. Feedback
        11. Impact and Evaluation
      6. Examples/Case Studies
      7. Appendix/Useful tools
  4. Learning and Development
    1. Learning and Development
    2. ARC KSS AcademyARC KSS Academy
    3. Learning and DevelopmentLearning and Development
      1. Learning and Development
      2. Learning and Development Finder
      3. Researchers Journeys
    4. MentorshipMentorship
    5. Research communities of practiceResearch communities of practice
    6. Research Week Research Week
      1. Research Week
      2. Research Week 2025: Poster Competition
      3. Previous Research Weeks
    7. NIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme South EastNIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme South East
  5. Resource Library
  6. Events
  7. News
  8. Contact Us

In this section

  1. ARC KSS AcademyARC KSS Academy
  2. Learning and DevelopmentLearning and Development
    1. Learning and Development
    2. Learning and Development Finder
    3. Researchers Journeys
  3. MentorshipMentorship
  4. Research communities of practiceResearch communities of practice
  5. Research Week Research Week
    1. Research Week
    2. Research Week 2025: Poster Competition
    3. Previous Research Weeks
  6. NIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme South EastNIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme South East

Led by Dr Julie MacInnes and hosted by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the HCP Internship South East programme is a regionally delivered initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It is designed to build research capacity among health and care professionals across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. The programme began in September 2025 and runs over three years. 

Each year, 23 flexible, pre-doctoral internships—each valued up to £10,000—will be offered.

These internships are tailored to individual learning needs and career aspirations, offering opportunities across four progressive levels:

  • Stepping into research
  • Growing in research
  • Research delivery leadership
  • Clinical/practitioner academic leadership.

Interns will benefit from placements, mentorship, academic modules, and small-scale research projects. 

Key points for candidates

  • Open to registered health and care professionals in Kent, Surrey and Sussex (excluding doctors and dentists).
  • Four flexible internship levels to suit your experience and ambitions.
  • Up to £10,000 per award, with placements, mentorship, and academic support.
  • Commitment to inclusivity and public/patient involvement.

The programme is supported by a strong partnership of NHS Trusts, Higher Education Institutions, and infrastructure organisations. It actively promotes inclusivity by targeting under-represented groups and professions, offering culturally relevant outreach, and embedding public and patient involvement throughout.

Why it matters

This programme addresses critical workforce challenges by nurturing a new generation of research-engaged professionals. It fosters a positive research culture, enhances service delivery through evidence-based practice, and strengthens regional research infrastructure. By supporting diverse career pathways and promoting equity in research access, the programme contributes to more inclusive, innovative, and effective health and care systems 

How to apply and key dates

Round 1 Guidance and Application:  Deadline 31 October 2025 (closed)

Round 2 expected to open August 2026

Find out more about the NIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programme

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