Research Practitioner Scholarship

Designed to target early career researchers or those wishing to pursue a research career in the Trust from Nursing, Midwifery, or Applied Health Professional backgrounds, the scholarship is funded by both the Research and Innovation Department, and York St John University’s Institute for Health and Care Improvement. The backfilled time can be used for a specific exploratory piece of work for a future research project, and/or to establish research skills/links, and/or develop local research knowledge which is sustainable beyond the end of the funding. 

You must be a permanent staff member of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to apply for this award.

This award is currently not live for 2026.

Elsie May Sykes Award

What is Elsie May Sykes?

The late Elsie May Sykes left a legacy to the former York Health Authority, with the prime recipient named as York District Hospital, for purchasing medical equipment and furthering medical research. Charitable Funds (who control the legacy) have decided to release some money to R&I to support research in 2026 (amount TBD).

The entire award can be awarded to one application or divided amongst several applications. Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis following a process that includes independent expert review. The final decision rests with the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Research & Innovation (R&I) Group.

The Award is due to open on 9th March 2026 and close by 5pm on 24th April 2026. Any applications received after this date will be rejected.

Who can apply for the funding?

You must be a permanent staff member of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to apply for this award.

How can you apply for the funding?

You can access the application form and guidance documentation below. These will be made available here once the funding award goes live.

EMS 2026 Application form

EMS 2026 Guidance notes

Alternatively you can email yhs-tr.elsiemaysykesaward@nhs.net to request the application pack. You must have a valid NHS email address and be a member of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in order to receive the pack.

Our Researchers' Experience with Elsie May Sykes

“I found the application process very supportive and well structured, which made it much less daunting than I initially expected, and the guidance and feedback I received throughout the process was extremely helpful in shaping the project... Being awarded the funding has given me time and resources to develop the research properly and encouraged me to pursue further research opportunities.”

- Dr Andy Chamberlain (awarded Elsie May Sykes funding in 2025)

What other Research has Elsie May Sykes Funded?

The Elsie May Sykes award, in collaboration with York University, funded the DAISY Study. A triaging robot based at Scarborough Hospital designed to assist A&E Staff. Please visit York and Scarborough's NHS website for more information by clicking here 

The Elsie May Sykes award also funded groundbreaking research to aid breast cancer screening through a breath test. Miss Piper won the 2025 Medipex NHS Innovation Award in recognition for her fantastic achievements within Research. Please find out more by clicking here