---

This paper aims to set the scene for the symposium by giving the context to the Clinical Nursing and Midwifery Fellowship Scheme. This scheme has been in existence since 1999 with the aim of allowing experienced nurses and midwives to undertake a clinical nursing or midwifery research study leading to a postgraduate degree at masters or doctoral level. Factors influencing the scheme's establishment will be outlined including how the scheme fits with national heatlh policy. Details of its development and outputs will be given including an analysis of applications to the scheme for the period 1999-2004. The findings from the latter include an increasing trend in applications for doctoral as opposed to masters level funding and the predominance of applicants being from the field of nursing or midwifery education as opposed to clinical practice.