Under the Addiction Healthcare Goals flagship research leadership programme, the SSA will fund fellowships that drive innovative responses to addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol. Applications will open on 3 November 2025 and close on 15 January 2026. People awarded the fellowships will be expected to start by October 2026.
On 3 November, the SSA will open applications for full-time fellowships. Funding will include:
- salary costs (typically in the range of £35–50K)
- research costs of up to £30,000 over three years
Applications for clinical fellowships will also be encouraged. These could include applicants proposing ongoing clinical work (up to 20%) with an NHS, third sector, or other public health clinical healthcare provider.
Applicants must be based in a UK university and the research must focus on addiction to illicit drugs or alcohol. Research that solely focuses on nicotine, tobacco or behavioural addictions will not be eligible. Research that solely focuses on primary prevention will also not be eligible.
Strong applications for funding will demonstrate how the research aligns with:
- the ten priority questions for addiction research
- the aims of Addiction Healthcare Goals
- the aims of the UK Government’s 10-year drug strategy, ‘From Harm to Hope’
More information will be published soon about the application process. Please sign up to the fellowship mailing list for updates and advice. If you have any questions, please use the enquiry form below.
