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Building capacity, confidence and research ability for medical students and doctors
Build Research Skills and Confidence
Guide fellows through protocol design, data collection, and analysis to build a strong foundation in research methodology.
Create Pathways to Publication
Support fellows from conference abstract to manuscript, with mentorship and authorship opportunities along the way.
Develop Research Leaders
Grow the next generation of mentors and research leads through structured training and hands-on project ownership.
Strengthen Community and Belonging
Connect aspiring researchers with mentors and peers, tackling inequalities in access to research within medicine.
About the programme
The Melanin Medics Research Fellowship is an eight-month programme from November to July 2026, designed for aspiring research leaders within the Melanin Medics community. It equips fellows with the practical skills, mentorship, and confidence needed to progress across the full research lifecycle, from protocol design through to publication.
Through one-to-one mentorship, a guided research curriculum, a dedicated bootcamp, and exposure to the MMRN Research Committee, the fellowship builds both technical competence and leadership capability. By pairing structured training with real project ownership and community support, the fellowship prepares participants to become confident researchers, mentors, and future leaders within Melanin Medics' research network.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: APPLY NOW!
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 9th October 2026
APPLICANTS SELECTED: 23rd October 2026
FELLOWSHIP COMMENCEMENT: 2nd November 2026
FELLOWSHIP END: 2 July 2027
What the programme includes
Research Mentorship – Monthly one-to-one sessions with an allocated research mentor to guide progress, troubleshoot challenges, and support skill development.
Guided Research Curriculum – A self-directed learning pathway covering methodology, data analysis, and academic writing, paced across the fellowship.
Research Bootcamp – An intensive session equipping fellows with the practical tools to get their project underway.
Research Committee Exposure – Opportunities to observe and engage with MMRN Research Committee meetings, gaining insight into how research initiatives are led and developed.
Publication and Presentation Support – Structured support to prepare conference abstracts and manuscripts, with the possibility of first-author publication.
National Conference Attendance – A culminating opportunity to present, network, and connect with the wider Melanin Medics research community.
Monthly Stipend – £1,200 total support (£150 per month across the eight-month fellowship) to help fellows commit fully to the programme.
Join the programme
Essential
Applicants must:
Be a UK-based medical student or doctor of African or Caribbean heritage with a strong interest in research.
Demonstrate research potential, motivation and academic curiosity.
Demonstrate strong communication, teamwork and leadership potential.
Be committed to developing their research skills and progressing towards research leadership.
Support the mission and development of MMRN's research community.
Be able to commit to the fellowship, including research, training and mentorship activities.
Desirable
Previous research experience.
Experience with research methods, data collection or analysis.
Conference presentation or academic writing experience.
Previous leadership or mentoring experience.
Previous research experience is desirable but not essential. We are particularly interested in applicants who demonstrate potential, motivation and a commitment to developing as research leaders.
What participants say
"It has benefited me massively. From not knowing anything about research, it introduced me to the value of the research process, acquiring ethics approval, the peer review process, abstract presentation, and publication. I am now able to independently lead my own research projects as a result of this and have been doing so as part of the melanin medics team (as an academia officer)."
Become a mentor on the programme
We are always looking for experienced medical researchers to volunteer as session speakers. Please contact the Research Team at academia@melaninmedics.org
