Purpose

A growing body of evidence indicates research active organisations deliver better services and output than those that are not. The National Institute for Health research (NIHR) Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (DLAF) is a scheme designed to support the academic ambitions of individuals wishing to undertake health and/or social care research while remaining employed within a local authority. The fellowship supports the award holder to undertake research doctorates (PhDs) while remaining employed within the local authority setting. The DLAF award will offer funding to cover the salary costs of the fellow, their PhD tuition fees, the costs of an appropriate research project, of appropriate public involvement and engagement, and of the tailored personal training and development programme.
The DLAF is a competitive award, with applications submitted from local authorities across the country and assessed by selection committee. City of Doncaster Council employee XXXXXX Wardle submitted a successful application and was approved for funding in August 2025.
XXXXXX will undertake the fellowship on a full-time basis (1.0 WTE) over 3 years from November 1st 2025. 20% of the salaried fellowship time will be spent undertaking practice, associated training and professional development. XXXXXX will undertake this element of the fellowship with the Health Determinants Research Collaboration, Doncaster, based within CDC.
www.doncaster.gov.uk
Total fellowship costs agreed to be funded by National Institute for Health Research amount to £272,868 over the three years duration of the fellowship (see breakdown of costs in below table).

Decision

To accept the funding award £272k from the National Institute for Health research (NIHR) Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (DLAF) and to agree the spending plan as detailed in the report.

Alternative options considered

No alternative options considered.