How to Apply for a Fellowship How to Sell Yourself 07/07/2010 1 Objectives To help you understand: – – – – if you are ready to apply for a fellowship how to set about preparing an application what makes a good application the process for reviewing an application Ask questions; share experiences; make comments, criticisms, witticisms etc at any time Fellowships are extremely competitive – you must sell yourself to stand out from the crowd 2 Agenda • How was it for them? – (VS/CC) • What is a fellowship and are you a suitable applicant? (CV) • What help is available? (CV) • What schemes are available (KB) • How to approach writing your proposal? (KB) • How will my application be reviewed? (CV) • Final questions (KB/CV) Motivation • In almost any career you will need to persuade someone or a group of people that they need to invest in your idea(s) and/or you. • Most of us find it difficult to write about and sell ourselves but this is exactly what is needed when applying for a Fellowship • This session is intended to help in preparing a fellowship proposal and help in selling or promoting yourself and your achievements 4 Looking Ahead (1) Do you like research? Yes No Look elsewhere No Passionate about academic research? Yes Demonstrable track record? Yes Yes Got some good ideas? No Yes Get one Yes Apply for PDRA Yes Apply for a fellowship 5 Looking Ahead (2) PhD PDRA Fellowship Academic Post 6 Fellow vs Assistant • To progress in either career path you will compete with others • You may cross from one to the other at a time appropriate for you • For all fellowship schemes the competition is particularly intense • Need to take advice on what is best for you consider timing, track record, maturity of ideas 7 What is a fellowship? An opportunity to devote yourself full time to a research project that you have originated (at least to an extent) For the more senior/longer fellowships start thinking in terms of exploring a research area where big problems exist and where only you can sort them • Usually apply in response to a specific call – many open now • Need an academic host, who will normally work with you to develop your proposal and provide a home if successful • You work on your own ideas with a high degree of independence • You “collaborate” with your academic host Approach to Fellowship Schemes • There are lots (KB) • All are different – objectives, guidelines eligibility criteria • Read all the guidance, think, ask questions, talk to previous winners, look at previous applications – then decide • Allow plenty of time What is needed for a fellowship (1)? Assessment Criterion 1 – You • Are you Deserve an Award - Track Record – – – – Talk to your mentor/supervisor – are you good enough now? Articulate your scientific achievements Evidence of independent thinking, initiative, leadership Skills – scientific, communication, management • Do you need an award – Is your career at a stage where you would benefit from a fellowship Can you deliver an exciting research programme? Can you use the fellowship as a stepping stone to fame and fortune Deserve a Fellowship - Track Record • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Publications and conference presentations Collaborations initiated (away from home) and resultant papers New line of research enquiry originated, initiated and implemented Project management opportunities / experience – eg running own PhD/post doc project with high degree of independence Teaching experience Workshops / conferences organised or co-organised Awards or prizes Other research visits undertaken Fellowships or other funding applied for and won Examples of career mobility. Language skills developed? Passion and enthusiasm to do something extra eg take an extra course, pursue a research direction when all seemed hopeless and yet it worked Supervising more junior staff or students Attacked and solved a difficult problem(s) Outreach activities – talking to/communicating with non-academic audiences eg schools Need a Fellowship – Career Stage • Must show that your career will benefit from a fellowship and show how – Have done good work in Area X – now is the time to learn new skills in Area Y – Broaden scope of your research – make you a more “rounded” researcher – Take you into new scientific fields and/or directions, – Take opportunity to develop further reputation, – Go out and establish new collaborations – Why are you best placed to undertake the work • A little preliminary work will help enormously Avoid simply continuing what you already are doing. What is needed for a Fellowship (2) • Assessment Criterion 2 – The Science – Is the science exciting, novel, groundbreaking, going beyond the state of the art ……? – If successful what impact will it have? – Is the project clearly described Are your ideas mature enough to convince your peers to fund them Seek help from your host? Can your proposal be understood by the reviewers? Fellowship – The Science • Attacking big difficult issues in your area of science which need someone at your level dedicated full time to successfully address them. • Show why the proposed work is important now • Show you have ideas to make things work • Solving these problems will have a (big) influence on the future course of the area (and other areas?) • If employing someone else on the grant what will be their role and contribution? • Role/contribution of collaborators Career Progression Academic Profile/Impact/Skill Set/Track Record After Now Time Why apply for research funding? • Allow you to establish independent career, build your academic reputation • Drive own research agenda- you can spend your time doing what you want! • Build own research group- obtain resources to carry out your research, train up next generation • Generate new collaborations, partnerships • Allow you to travel to collaborators, present findings at conferences • Publications + research outputs= academic success What kind of research funding is there? • Workshop grants • Travel/ conference grants • Studentships • Equipment grants • Fellowships- funding for individual • First grants/ New Investigator grants • “Standard” grants • Large-scale collaborative grants A bit more about fellowships... • Provide dedicated support to an individual- different schemes for different stages of career • Apply with a host organisation- choose carefully • Request funding for a specific research project, set objectives – but success is as much about the individual as the research project • Generally provide the fellow with salary, travel and research costs for between 1 and 5 years, some will also pay for students/ researchers • Lots of schemes to choose from but VERY competitive! Most funders have... • A range of different schemes, targeted at different stages of researchers • Funding deadlines at specific times of the year • Priority areas for funding, calls in specific areas • Restrictions on who can and can’t apply • Very strict and precise application procedures • Electronic submission systems • Websites where calls and guidance notes are published, plus contact details for desk officers Consider carefully before applying…. “… enable talented new researchers to establish an independent research career …” “Scientists who have demonstrated high potential and who wish to establish themselves as independent researchers” “supports excellent scientists and engineers at an early stage of their career, and is designed to help them to progress to a permanent position” “provide outstanding scientists, who have the potential to become leaders in their chosen field, with the opportunity to build an independent research career” EPSRC Postdoctoral fellowships • Approx 25 awarded every year, in specific areas – Mathematical sciences – Theoretical physics – Cross disciplinary interface • Any nationality/ age, must not have had permanent position, < 3 years postdoctoral experience • Awards for 3 years, cover salary costs plus travel, consumables, small equipment, technical support • Mobility from institution of PhD is encouraged • Deadline 12th Aug, fellowships start April 2011 Details:http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/fellows/Pages/postdoctoral.aspx Career Acceleration fellowship • • • • • • Proposal can be in any area of EPSRC remit Must be within 10 years of PhD, ≥3 years postdoc exp Must not have held a permanent academic position 2 step application process- outline and then full bid Approx 25 awarded every year (60 invited to full bid) Awards for up to 5 years and cover salary, research staff, PhD students, technical staff, travel, equipment, consumables, access to facilities • Outline deadline: 11 August 2010, start from July 11 Details:http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/fellows/careeracc/Pages/default.aspx Royal Academy of Engineering/ EPSRC research fellowships • • • • • • • 5 year awards in any discipline of Engineering 0-3 years postdoctoral experience at closing date Approx 10 awarded every year Funding for fellow’s time, travel, equip, consumables Deadline due October 2010, awards start March 11 Limit of 2 applications per institution Applicants can apply for one EPSRC fellowship/ yr • Contact Rachel if interested r.corke@warwick.ac.uk Details at: http://www.raeng.org.uk/research/researcher/postdoc/ University Research Fellowship • Approx 30 awarded every year (5% success rate) • Proposals can be in all areas of the life and physical sciences including engineering, but not clinical medicine • For researchers with 1-3 post doc positions. • Applicants must be EU citizens or have a relevant connection to EU • Funding provided for 5 years, possibility of extension for further 3 years, plus funds for research expenses • Deadline 15 Sept 2010, projects start Oct 11 Details at: http://royalsociety.org/University-Research-Fellowships/ Dorothy Hodgkin fellowship • 10 awards per year, 2.5% success rate in 2009 • Support for early career scientists and engineers • Aimed specifically at those who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances • Must be from EU or have relevant connection to EU • Funding for fellow's salary costs and research costs • Next deadline expected January 2011 • NOT exclusively for female candidates but note of the 10 awards in 2009, only one was not female N.B most other fellowships can be held part-time Details: http://royalsociety.org/Dorothy-Hodgkin-Fellowships/ BBSRC David Phillips fellowship • • • • For world class early career scientists Approx 10 awarded per year Awards for 5 years Provide funding for fellow salary, research expenses, researchers, travel, equipment • For researchers with 3-10 years postdoc experience • No age/ nationality restrictions • Next deadline expected September 2010 Details at: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/fellowships/davidphillips.aspx NERC fellowships • Open to any age/ nationality • Support to help environmental scientists become independent investigators (Postdoctoral) or team leaders of international standing (Advanced) • Postdoctoral fellowships (3 years)- typically 1-5 years post doc experience • Advanced fellowships (5 years)- 2-10 yrs postdoc exp • 30 awards across both schemes, pay salary, travel and research expenses through recurrent grant Deadline: 2 November 2010, projects start October 11 Details:http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/fellowships/typesofaward. asp ERC Starting grant • 3-10% success rate- slightly higher for PI’s at UK host • Applicants must have 2- 12 yrs experience since PhD • Applicants should demonstrate: – potential for research independence – promising track record of early achievements appropriate to their field and career stage – significant publications (as main author) in peerreviewed major international journals in their field • Up to €1.5M available (up to €2M if some cases) • Next deadlines expected Oct/Nov 2010 Details:http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&topicID=65 Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship • 70 awards per year (12% success rate in 2010) • Support fellows at a relatively early stage of their academic careers who have a proven record of research • Under 35 years old, must already hold PhD • Awards for 2-3 years, include salary & research costs • 50% salary contribution by host university • Deadline expected Sept/ Oct 2010 Details:http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/early_career_f ellowships/ Postdoctoral research fellowship • No deadlines, < 3 years postdoctoral experience • To carry out research linked to the PhD and publish PhD results but NOT to carry out new unrelated research • 1 year duration, provides salary and research costs • Approx 85 awards per year, 10% success rate • Should include a designated mentor N.B Also fairly common route of named postdoc on a small/ standard ESRC grant Details: http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/esrcinfocentre/opportunities/early career/postdocfellowships/index.aspx Marie Curie fellowships • European funding for mobility of researchers within and into/out of EU, approx 25% success rates • Intra-European- for you to move to another EU country • Incoming International – for non-EU researcher to move to EU country, could apply if you have been in EU host country for less than 12 months • International Outgoing- for you to move from EU country to 3rd country e.g. US, Australia, China • Applications are made through EU host country • Deadline:17 August 2010 Details: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/mariecurieactions/home_en.html IAS Junior Research Fellowship • Warwick scheme to support 3 fellowships for researchers with <3 years postdoc experience • Awards for 12 months in any discipline • Interdisciplinary projects encouraged • Should demonstrate strategic contribution to the university • Must have nominator from the relevant department • Deadline 23rd July 2010 Details: htp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/jobsintro/apply /procedure Other possibilities... Other sources of funding can help you make contacts, provide opportunities to present results or spend time at another lab Travel grants e.g. Royal Society International travel grants- funding to facilitate collaborations with overseas scientists and to present at overseas conferences, workshops and seminars Schemes for new academics or experienced postdocs e.g. EPSRC First grant, BBSRC, MRC and NERC New Investigator awards, European Research Council Starting grant What does the application involve? • Online application form- submitted via J-es, e-GAP – Various text sections e.g. objectives, lay summary, budget • Proposal- Word/ PDF attachment, usually 8 pages – Background/ Aims/ Objectives/ Hypothesis – Programme and methodology – Research environment – Track record and/ or CV – Impact plan/relevance to beneficiaries – Budget and justification of resources Presenting the proposal • Read the guidance notes and instructions • Attention grabbing opening section- summarise background, aims, impact in about 3 sentences • Make sure proposal is easy to read, split into manageable sections- one column or two • Never use font size/ margins below minimum stated • Mix font size and style to emphasis headings or key points, use bold, italics or underlining • Avoid large blocks of text, use pictures/ diagrams Writing the proposal • Boxes with “take home” messages • Clear objectives, hypotheses, work programme • Use preliminary results • Risk analysis/ management, don’t be too ambitious • Formulate clear argument for why you need the fellowship/ grant and why you need it now • Develop clear and novel research project- what is so exciting about it? how will you tackle it? • Get feedback from specialists and non-specialists • Check proposal against the assessment criteria Observations • Relevance to funder/ call priorities – Ensure this is clearly spelt out • Industry/ user involvement – Increasing emphasis from funders – Genuine personalised letters of support required • References – Part of proposal, ensure readable, can’t guarantee reviewers will use web links • Resources – Consider carefully, can you justify each item? You’ll (Should) Never Work Alone... When preparing your proposal talk to: • The Funding Agency • Your mentor • Other academics • Your peers • Your partner or friend • Research Support Services Research Support • Elizabeth Cromwell / Sarah Holcroft – Life Sciences • Rachel Corke – Engineering • Barry Turner - WMG • Chris Veal: Physical/Mathematical Sciences – CV: Computer Science/Systems Biology/Stats – James Smith: Physics/Psychology/Maths – Katherine Branch: Chemistry Research Support To help with all facets of preparing research grant proposals •Advice on Eligibility •Advice/assistance on preparing proposals – lay out, content, wording, writing, timing. Can’t help with the science •Undertake project costings - FEC •Help with electronic proposal submission systems •Help with navigation through the University approvals process •Advice on which funding agency to approach and how Refereeing • Referee selection – someone who will give a fair and well-informed assessment of you and the proposed project – Not necessarily your mates – Conflict of interest. • Referee form and assessment criteria – read them • Refereeing process – – – – Expert referees selected by Funding Agency Receipt of referees’ comments Response to comments (seek help) Panels (EPSRC) or Committees (BBSRC) Reviewers might be tired/overworked/bored. Make their life easy Referees Criteria for CAF • Quality of the science – Novelty, timeliness – Ambition, adventure, transformative aspects – Appropriateness of methodology • Impact – Relevance /appropriateness of beneficiaries or collaborators – Routes/resources identified for dissemination and exchange of knowledge • Ability to deliver – Track record of applicant – Balance of skills of team including collaborators • Research Independence – Ability to lead original and independent research • Resources and management – Appropriate and justified • Proposal Assessment – any other comments Only the very best people and projects will be selected The Interview (1) • Usually ≤ 30 minutes – not long to make a (good) memorable impression. • Know your panel, • Appear enthusiastic – you can even smile • Engage with the panel – capture their interest early • You will be one of several candidates – try to stand out from the crowd while at the same time being yourself The Interview (2) • Usually a presentation ≤ 15 minutes – Stick to time – Focus on broad issues, as described in guidelines, eg • • • • • Innovative aspects Scientific challenges Expected results and indicators of success Impact if successful Brief overview of you – Avoid detailed science, jargon, acronyms – capture your audience early – Include pictures in overheads when possible The Interview (3) • Try to anticipate questions – scientific and general. Prepare answers • Have some slides in reserve • Can be a friendly chat or a grilling. Strongly recommend doing a mock interview before the real one And Finally…… • Inescapable that if you apply for a fellowship you will need to sell/promote yourself. Many find this difficult • Never too early to start planning to boost your CV/Track Record even though your eventual destination is unclear. • Find your host and work with her/him to complete the proposal – well before the deadline Allen’s axiom – when all else fails, read the instructions