BSSH/ORUK Hand Research Fellowship

The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) and Orthopaedic Research UK are jointly funding one research fellowship in a hand surgery -related topic. A total cost of up to £100,000 will be funded over 2 years, or longer, if less than full-time (LTFT).

The fellowship aims to promote and develop hand surgery researchers and academics by supporting trainees and SAS surgeons advance their academic skills.

The Fellowship will be open to BSSH members, and/or at least one proposed supervisor for the research project must be a BSSH member.

Applicants may choose whether the award is taken on a salary or stipend basis and whether it is full-time or less than full-time (LTFT), with a minimum of 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE).

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria and are also expected to provide details on Intellectual Property and testing on animals, if applicable.

• Purpose of research: research aims, objectives and deliverables.
• Background to investigation: brief literature review, personal track record and preliminary data obtained by the applicant(s).
• Plan of investigation, covering materials & methods: a detailed technical step-by-step research plan, according to linked work packages, and focusing on the core ideas and methodologies.
• Research environment and resources: research clinical/technical support, laboratory space, equipment and any other additional fundings.
• Research impact:
  • Who will benefit from this research?
  • How can your research be translated into care or treatment for patients?
  • How will your research represent the aims and objectives of BSSH and ORUK?
• Outreach and engagement.
• Research budget: full cost breakdown.

Recipient requirements

• The fellowship is open to both plastic surgery and orthopaedic hand surgeons.
• Contract: The applicants must share the contract with their respective University /Trust’s Research Contracts Department and agree in principle with our Standard Research Agreement terms and conditions.
• Progress report: Every 6 months, the successful Fellows are asked to submit an interim report, covering their research progress and details of publications and presentations.
• The financial and non-financial support of BSSH and ORUK must be duly acknowledged in all the presentations and publications by the Fellows.

Read more in Guidelines for grant holders.

Key dates

• Application open: 12 May 2026
• Applications close: 16 June 2026
• Shortlisted applicants invited to interview: By 21 August 2026
• Interviews: September 2026

The project must start by no later than August 2027.