What is the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme?
The Associate PI Scheme is a six month in-work training opportunity, providing practical experience for health and care professionals starting their research career.
People who would not normally have the opportunity to take part in clinical research in their day-to-day role have the chance to experience what it means to work on and deliver an NIHR portfolio trial under the mentorship of an enthusiastic Local Principal Investigator (PI). A Principal Investigator is an individual responsible for the conduct of a research study at a site.
Associate Principal Investigators receive formal recognition of engagement in NIHR Portfolio research studies through the certification of Associate PI status, endorsed by the NIHR and Royal Colleges.
How the Associate PI Scheme works
The scheme is open to any health and care professional in the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. They must be willing to make a significant contribution to the conduct and delivery of a study at a local level over a period of six months.
The health or care professional will work alongside the Local PI for 6 months on the study. During the 6-month tenure we refer to them as an 'Associate PI trainee'.
The Local PI will act as a mentor to the Associate PI trainee, helping them to understand what it means to be a Local PI on an NIHR portfolio study.
During their time on the Associate PI Scheme, the Associate PI trainee must complete a learning pathway on NIHR Learn, which includes a checklist of mandated study activities to complete. This checklist needs to be signed off by the Local PI and a member of the National Study Team at the end of scheme.
The NIHR Associate PI Scheme team will then issue a certificate confirming Associate PI status, which can be added to their training portfolio.
Further information and how to apply is available on the NIHR website.