BASK/ORUK Research Fellowship

The British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK) and Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) are delighted to announce applications are opening on Monday 27^th April 2026 for their joint 2-year research fellowship. The aims of the BASK/ORUK Research Fellowship are to deliver a programme of high-quality knee-related research and to develop the careers of future UK research leaders in knee surgery.

How much funding is available?

Up to £130k is funded between the two organisations for a period of 2 years, or longer, if taken on a less than full-time (LTFT) basis.

Who can apply?

It is aimed at academics, clinicians and allied health professionals with a strong interest in research into any knee area. The Fellowship will be open exclusively to BASK members, and at least one proposed supervisor for the research project must also be a BASK 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).

Application process

Applications will be a single stage process closing on Friday 5 June, followed by interviews and award decisions by November 2026. The 2-year fellowship is planned to commence within 6 months of the decision date.

Applications are encouraged in, but not restricted to the following themes:

• Use of digital aids and AI to monitor knee outcomes (including after painful total knee replacement).
• Women and adolescent knee injuries.
• Osteochondral injuries and chondral replacement.
• Biomechanics and management of meniscus root tears.
• Injection treatment for osteoarthritis and joint fluid analysis.

Key dates:

1. Single-stage application form opening on Monday 27 April 2026and closing by 17:00 on Friday 5 June 2026.
2. External Expert Review will take place between 8 June – 31 August 2026.
3. Following the review of the BASK/ORUK Selection Panel, shortlisted applicants will be notified in September 2026.
4. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online in October/November 2026. 
5. Award decisions will be received shortly after the interviews.
6. The fellowship must start no later than August 2027.

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 BASK and ORUK?
• Outreach and engagement.
• Research budget: full cost breakdown.

Recipient requirements

• Contract: The applicants must share the 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 BASK and ORUK must be duly acknowledged in all the presentations and publications by the Fellows.

Read more in Guidelines for grant holders.