Five Portsmouth health research internships to open in November
Applications will open in November 2026, offering training, mentoring and up to £10,000
Five funded internships are being offered to people in Portsmouth who want to investigate issues affecting health and wellbeing in their communities.
A unique opportunity is being opened to people looking to play a part in shaping health services in Portsmouth.
The Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Portsmouth is funding five places on the Launchpad Internship Programme, which provides training, mentoring and dedicated time to explore a question or challenge linked to a person’s work, organisation or community.
The programme is traditionally aimed at registered professionals, including nurses, doctors and allied health professionals.
However, the Portsmouth initiative is opening the opportunity to those working in the city’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
The aim is to ensure community knowledge and lived experience play a greater role in shaping local services and decisions.
Successful applicants can access up to £10,000 to investigate an issue in greater depth and produce evidence that could influence local services, policy and practice.
The programme is delivered by the Academy of Research and Improvement in partnership with NHS trusts, universities and local authorities across the South Central region.
Applicants do not need to consider themselves researchers to take part.
People who regularly gather feedback, listen to residents, identify challenges or test new approaches may already have skills that can be developed through the programme.
Three online webinars are also being held in November to help people understand the opportunity and application process.
A Launchpad research internship webinar will take place on November 9, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, explaining how to apply.
A second session, titled Turn your ideas into research, will be held on November 11, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. The session is co-hosted by HDRC Portsmouth and will provide more information about the programme.
A costings workshop will then take place on November 30, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, helping prospective applicants learn how to put together a project budget.
The webinars will be recorded and shared with people who register but are unable to attend.
Applications are due to open in November 2026 and close in January 2027.
People interested in applying can register their interest by emailing [email protected].
More information about the programme is available here: https://academy.hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/launchpad-programme/internships.