research fellowships. overview introduction why apply for a fellowship finding the right fellowship...
DESCRIPTION
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.”TRANSCRIPT
Research Fellowships
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 stagesRead funders guidance
Create electronic account (JeS, EAA, e-grants etc)
Complete project costing
Submit project costing for approval
Copy costs onto application
Intellectual stagesDevelop 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
Collette Sheahan 0117 954 6966 (ext 46966)
OR
Dr Zoe Holland 0117 331 7632 (ext 17632)