Unlocking Research Potential — The NIHR Associate PI Scheme Now Available Through the UK MS Register 

At the UK MS Register, we are committed not only to driving high-quality Multiple Sclerosis research but also to strengthening and supporting the clinical research workforce across the UK.  

That’s why we’re delighted to announce that our collaborating clinical sites can now take part in the NIHR Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme as part of their involvement with the Register. 

This marks an exciting new opportunity for teams working on the Register who are looking to develop their research careers. 

 What is the NIHR Associate PI Scheme? 

The Associate PI Scheme, run by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is a structured, supervised pathway that allows Healthcare Professionals to gain hands-on experience in clinical research leadership.  

Over the course of six months, participants work closely with their site’s Principal Investigator and take increasing responsibility in delivering a study. 

By the end of the programme, Associate PIs receive formal NIHR recognition, demonstrating their research competency and readiness for future leadership roles. 

 Why this matters for MS Research 

MS research is evolving rapidly, and the demand for skilled clinician-researchers has never been higher. The Associate PI Scheme helps address this by: 

• Developing the next generation of research leaders 

• Strengthening site-level research capacity 

• Enhancing the quality and consistency of study delivery 

• Embedding research skills across multidisciplinary teams 

For conditions like MS—where long-term, real-world data is essential—initiatives like this help make sure that clinical teams can confidently take part in meaningful research. 

Who Can Apply? 

The scheme is open to a wide range of Healthcare Professionals, including: 

• Doctors 

• Nurses 

• Allied health professionals 

• Pharmacists 

• Clinical research practitioners 

Anyone at a site currently working with the UK MS Register who has an interest in developing their research skills can get involved. 

 How to Enrol through the UK MS Register 

If your site is collaborating on a UK MS Register project, you can nominate a member of staff to join the Associate PI Scheme. The process is simple: 

• Speak with your site PI and confirm their support 

• Express your interest to the UK MS Register team 

• Complete the NIHR application form 

• Begin your six-month supervised training period 

Our team will guide you through the process and help ensure you have the support you need. 

 Strengthening MS Research, Together 

We are proud to offer this opportunity to our network of clinical sites. By integrating the NIHR Associate PI Scheme into our collaborations, we’re helping to build a stronger, more confident research environment for MS studies—and supporting the professionals who make it possible. 

If your site is interested in participating or learning more, please get in touch with the UK MS Register team.