INSPIRE programme

INSPIRE is a programme designed to engage medical, dental, and veterinary undergraduates in research. It provides funding to universities across the UK, enabling them to organise activities that inform and inspire students about research careers. The programme, coordinated by the Academy of Medical Sciences and supported by the Wellcome Trust, started in 2012 with £1 million in funding. It has expanded to include not just medical schools but also dental and veterinary schools since 2016. Over the years, it has awarded 103 small grants and nine special project grants.

Schools have flexibility in how they use the funds, from broad engagement events to supporting individual student research projects. The INSPIRE programme aims to inspire students to consider research careers, stimulate innovative approaches to building interest in research, involve students in programme development, foster faculty-student collaborations, and strengthen research networks.

It is open to all recognised UK undergraduate medical, dental, and veterinary schools, offering awards of up to £10,000 for activities such as workshops, lectures, networking events, research methodology workshops, stipends for studentships, and more. Additionally, special grants are offered for particularly innovative projects.

The Academy of Medical Sciences administers and manages the programme, supporting schools in developing local plans, linking INSPIRE to national initiatives, and facilitating communication among INSPIRE leads. The Academy of Medical Sciences also organise sharing conferences to exchange ideas and best practices among schools.