NIHR Announces Funding for Inaugural Tessa Jowell AHP Fellowships

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the UK's largest funder of health and care research, has awarded £400,000 to launch the first cohort of Tessa Jowell Allied Health Professional (AHP) Research Fellowships. Announced on March 6, 2026, this initiative marks a significant milestone in addressing critical gaps in brain tumour care research. These fellowships aim to empower AHPs—such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and dietitians—with the skills, confidence, and protected time needed to lead high-quality applied research in neuro-oncology.

The programme, delivered through the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM), responds to longstanding calls for more evidence on rehabilitation and supportive care for brain tumour patients. With brain tumours remaining one of the most devastating cancers, this funding underscores a commitment to holistic patient care beyond traditional medical treatments.

Honoring Tessa Jowell's Legacy Through the Brain Cancer Mission

Dame Tessa Jowell, a former Cabinet Minister who passed away in 2018 after battling glioblastoma—a aggressive form of brain cancer—passionately campaigned for accelerated research and better survival rates. Her advocacy led to the government's £40 million commitment to brain tumour research, birthing the TJBCM in her honor. The mission unites over 1,500 clinicians, researchers, NHS trusts, universities, and charities to drive innovation in treatment, care, and research.

Key achievements include designating Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence across UK NHS neuro-oncology services, launching the Tessa Jowell Academy for training, and accelerating novel therapies via the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator. The AHP Fellowships extend this work, focusing on non-medical professionals vital for patient quality of life.

The Critical Role of Allied Health Professionals in Neuro-Oncology

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) play a pivotal role in brain tumour care, managing symptoms like mobility loss, speech difficulties, cognitive changes, and nutritional challenges post-diagnosis or treatment. Despite their importance, AHP-led research remains underdeveloped, leading to service variations and underfunding. The fellowships target this by funding part-time research (up to four years) alongside clinical duties, fostering a new generation of research-active AHPs.

Projects will explore prehabilitation (pre-treatment preparation), rehabilitation, and supportive care, generating evidence to standardize best practices and influence policy. This aligns with the National Cancer Plan's emphasis on mission-led approaches for rare cancers like brain tumours.

Funding Details, Eligibility, and Selection Process

Funded solely by NIHR with patient involvement from brainstrust, the programme selected two inaugural fellows from 13 expressions of interest across eight UK centres and five AHP disciplines. The rigorous three-stage process included:

• Expression of Interest: Short proposals on project ideas and impact.
• Proposal Discussion: Feedback from a multidisciplinary committee led by Dr Sarah Jefferies.
• Refinement Support: Tailored mentoring for top candidates, with two awarded fellowships and others redirected to further NIHR opportunities.

Eligibility targets AHPs in neuro-oncology with interests from diagnosis to end-of-life. No prior research experience required for early-career pathway; experienced AHPs can advance to clinical academic roles.

First Cohort Success and Applicant Feedback

The 2025 launch saw strong interest, with four candidates advancing to intensive development. Applicants praised the supportive process: "The feedback re-ignited my passion for research," one noted. Committee member Dr Stephen Wootton highlighted its ambition in building clinical academics. Professor Waljit Dhillo, NIHR Academy Dean, emphasized its alignment with the National Cancer Plan, promising personalized care improvements.

This developmental model ensures even non-selected applicants gain refined projects and skills for future bids.

Photo by Justin Ortega on Unsplash

Brain Tumour Landscape in the UK: Why Research Matters

Brain tumours affect around 12,000 people annually in the UK, the leading cancer killer for children and adults under 40. Five-year survival is starkly low: 12.9% for adults versus 56% across all cancers; high-grade gliomas offer just 13%. Mortality rates project a slight decline, but disparities persist in access to trials, genomics, and rehab.

The Tessa Jowell AHP Fellowships address unmet needs, complementing NIHR's £13.7m Brain Tumour Research Consortium uniting 48 hospitals and universities.

University and Higher Education Ties in Brain Tumour Research

UK universities are integral to TJBCM efforts. Centres of Excellence involve institutions like University of Cambridge Hospitals, University of Glasgow (hosting neurology fellowships), University of Plymouth, and Queen Mary University of London (glioblastoma research). The NIHR consortium includes unis driving novel therapies.

AHP fellowships enhance academic-clinical partnerships, training AHPs for lecturer roles or PhDs. For aspiring researchers, explore research jobs or postdoc positions in neuro-oncology at UK universities.

Expected Impacts and Research Priorities

Fellows will tackle service gaps, e.g., fatigue management, neuro-rehab efficacy, using TJBCM's dataset from Centres of Excellence. Outcomes include best-practice guidelines, reduced variations, and stronger AHP funding cases. Long-term: improved quality of life, aligning with "live well with cancer" ethos.

• Evidence for prehab/rehab protocols.
• Patient-centered innovations via PPIE.
• Scalable models for NHS-wide adoption.

This builds on £40m government pledge, with recent National Cancer Plan recognizing TJBCM's model.

Career Pathways for AHPs and Researchers in Higher Education

These fellowships open doors to clinical academic careers. AHPs gain expertise in design, analysis, and implementation, ideal for university lecturing or leading trials. UK unis like Manchester CRUK Centre offer NMAHP pathways. Check academic CV tips or clinical research jobs.

Stakeholders view it as transformative: brainstrust's Dr Helen Bulbeck stresses supportive care's parity with treatment.

Future Outlook and Broader NIHR Commitments

With NIHR's ongoing investments—like the Brain Tumour Research Consortium—these fellowships signal momentum. TJBCM plans expanded training amid National Cancer Plan priorities for rare cancers. Challenges remain: low survival demands sustained funding.

Explore opportunities at UK academic jobs or university positions.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Conclusion: A Step Towards Better Brain Tumour Outcomes

The Tessa Jowell AHP Fellowships exemplify collaborative progress, blending NIHR funding, TJBCM vision, and AHP innovation. By bolstering research capacity, they promise tangible improvements for patients. Aspiring academics, visit Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, university jobs, or post a job to join this vital field.