Writing a Narrative CV for an NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF)

This is a “work-in-progress” guide based on my own Narrative CV and what I am trying to develop, for a doctoral-level application. It covers the core sections, and a simple structure for mentor conversations so the document keeps improving.

Why NIHR uses a Narrative CV

NIHR wants to judge people by their contribution and potential, not by long lists of outputs. The DCAF panels look for:

• Independence — evidence you are ready to lead a doctoral study
• Methodological readiness — signs you understand the research design, not just the topic
• Contribution — to knowledge, to others, to the community, and to society
• Impact — what changed because of your work, not just what you did

Structure: the four sections

The DCAF Narrative CV follows the “Résumé for Researchers” format. You must write under these headings:

1. Contributions to the generation of knowledge
2. Development of individuals
3. Contribution to the wider research community
4. Contribution to broader society

Together these should fit on three pages or less. That usually means 2–3 well-developed examples per section rather than a long list.

How to approach each section

1) Contributions to the generation of knowledge

Show what you have led or co-led, and why it matters.

• Service evaluations, audits, QI projects, RCT delivery, systematic/scoping reviews
• Be clear about your role and the methods signal (analysis, data quality, recruitment feasibility)
• End each example with why it matters for your doctoral plan

Example: “I led (project) with (partners). We aimed to (goal). We achieved (result with numbers). This underpins my doctoral plan by showing (readiness, e.g. recruitment feasibility or analysis skill).”

2) Development of individuals

Show you can grow others, not just yourself.

• Teaching sessions, mentoring, supervision
• Evidence of effect (numbers trained, confidence shifts, promotions, outputs)
• Inclusive practice — how you made learning accessible

Tip: Use numbers. “Delivered 5 sessions to 40 staff; 80% reported improved confidence” is stronger than “Delivered teaching.”

3) Contribution to the wider research community

Evidence your role in supporting the community and improving research culture.

• Peer review, committee roles, networks, guideline work
• Improving reproducibility, governance, or open science practices
• Highlight outcomes (policy adopted, data dictionary used, process improved)

4) Contribution to broader society

Demonstrate public involvement and wider impact.

• PPIE groups: how you recruited, paid, supported, and what changed
• Engagement with patients, policy, or public communication
• Always write the chain: advice → change → effect

Example: “Public contributors advised shortening the survey invite. We rewrote the first two lines. Completion rate improved from 52% to 68%.”

How much to write

With a 3-page maximum:

• Aim for 200–300 words per section
• Use short paragraphs or bullets + prose
• 8–12 concrete examples in total is plenty
• Edit ruthlessly: if it does not show contribution, impact, or doctoral readiness, cut it

Working with a mentor

If you can, go through your draft Narrative CV with a mentor. An hour is usually enough if you keep it focused:

• Start by checking together what the DCAF panel will be expecting.
• Pick one or two areas that feel weaker and concentrate on those.
• Read through a few paragraphs and turn “I did X” into “I did X, which led to Y change.”
• Agree on one or two clear next steps, for example adding a data point, tightening a methods example, or polishing a PPIE story.

Some useful questions to ask your mentor:

• Does this sound like a list of tasks, or does it show the effect of what I did?
• Is my independence clear enough?
• Which parts might the panel challenge, and what evidence would strengthen them?
• Have I given enough signals that I can handle the methods in my doctoral plan?

Pre-submission checklist

• Fits within 3 pages
• Each section has 2–3 strong examples, written as contribution + effect
• At least two signals of methodological readiness for your doctoral study
• At least two examples of independence
• PPIE is budgeted, practical, and shows impact
• A mentor has line-edited the final version

In summary

The DCAF Narrative CV is not a task list. It is a 3-page demonstration that you already contribute to knowledge, people, community, and society; and that you are ready to deliver a doctoral study with independence, rigour, and meaningful public involvement.