Research Fellowships

Dr Kathleen Sedgley, RED

Overview

• Introduction

• Why apply for a fellowship

• Finding the right fellowship

• The application process

• Assessment criteria for funding applications

• What makes a good application

What is a fellowship?

“A merit-based scholarship, or form of academic financial aid”

“A stipend that supports the pursuit of an advanced degree and/or research.”

Why apply for funding?

The benefits• Independent research

• Protected time for research

• Progress career

• Grow your own group

• Prestige

Is this the right thing for me?

• Long term academic aspiration

• Research question

• Strong CV

• Publications – “at least a key role in seminal papers or equivalent”

• Timing – long application process

• Academic mentor

Fellowship funding spans the academic career pathway

• Pre doctoral (opportunities for clinicians only)

• Post doctoral

• 3 – 6 years post PhD

• 6 – 10 years post PhD

• Up to 10 years post PhD

Who funds fellowships?

Government Charities Other•Research Councils

•NIHR / Dept. Of Health

• Wellcome Trust

• BHF

• CRUK

• Diabetes UK

• Alzheimer’s Research Trust

•Royal Society

•Industry

•European Union (Marie Curie schemes)

[There are many others, these are given as examples]

The application process

• How do you go about making an application?

• What approvals do you need?

• How will your proposal be assessed?

• Who are you communicating with?

Who can apply?• Eligibility criteria are funder and scheme

specific, so read the guidelines

• Ask colleagues what they have applied for

• Some general points:• Travel grants – usually something for all career stages• Fellowships – always prestigious, cover all career stages• Projects – often need a confirmed position to lead, so consider

other roles • Prizes – criteria will be specific

Funding application process 1Research idea

Discuss idea with Head of School

Refine research idea

Identify appropriate funding opportunity

Consider potential issues such as contracts, ethics, intellectual property. Discuss with RED team as necessary

Is there an internal

process?

Identify your academic sponsor

Funding application process 2Technical stages

Read funders guidance

Create electronic account (JeS, EAA, e-grants etc)

Complete project costing

Submit project costing for approval

Copy costs onto application

Intellectual stages

Develop a draft project description

Obtain feedback from colleagues

Complete all aspects of the application

Transfer written information onto the application form and ensure all sections of application are complete

Submit application to funder. Finance submit most electronic-based applications, you are responsible for paper and e-mail applications

Submit application for institutional approval

Your Head of School and Finance need to approve your application.

Assessment criteria

• Differ between funder and scheme

• Reviewers are given set of criteria

• Available from the funder

• Review before you start writing, and before you submit

Think about who you are communicating with

• An administrator?

• Expert referees?

• A panel of subject specialists?

• A panel drawn from a range of disciplines?

How will your application be assessed?

• What things will influence what reviewers think of your grant applications?

The three Ps…

• Person

• Place

• Project

A good proposal - Person

• Evidence of potential for scientific independence

• Evidence of potential for research leadership

• Commitment to a research career

• Further training

• Internal or external

A good proposal - Place

• The proposed School / University

• International reputation / track record

• Research strengths

• Support / training available

• Facilities and major equipment

• Academic Sponsor

• Collaborators

A good proposal - Project

• Interesting and timely project

• Well chosen and justified methods

• Deliverable (realistic and matched to your skills and expertise)

• Good value for money

• Well defined user group

• Clear impact

• Data sharing

Three P’s

Person• Track record• Previous research• Publications• Conference

presentations• Qualifications• Collaborations

Project• Realistic• Novel• Timely• Good value• Pilot data• Well planned• Potential value

of results

Place• Facilities• Track record• Academic

environment• Strategic fit• Collaborations

A good proposal - Application

• READ THE GUIDELINES

• Questions for reviewers / reviewers handbooks

• Talk to funding bodies

• Be realistic

• Have other people read your application (your boss, RED, your contemporaries, your future boss)

Common reasons for failure

• Unrealistic• Proposal is not relevant to the funder• Insufficient or unconvincing preliminary data• Lack of experimental detail• Too descriptive and no clear hypothesis• Poorly written• It’s already been done• Unclear impact or importance

Summary

Our top tips

• Plan ahead & leave plenty of time

• Ask for help & advice

• Read the guidelines

Contact details

Dr Kathleen Sedgley 0117 331 7127 (ext 17127)

k.sedgley@bristol.ac.uk