How to write a successful fellowship the dos and don ts

Transcription

1 How to write a successful fellowship the dos and don ts Dr Megan Lenardon MRC New Investigator Aberdeen Fungal Group m.lenardon@addn.ac.uk AFG

2 Time line of events PhD AFG Principal Investigator MRC New Investigator Award Aberdeen Post-doc Neil Gow Aberdeen Post-doc Al Brown Aberdeen Named researcher Neil Gow Aberdeen

3 Do: be pro-active PhD AFG Principal Investigator MRC New Investigator Award Aberdeen Post-doc Neil Gow Aberdeen Post-doc Al Brown Aberdeen Named researcher Neil Gow Aberdeen

4 Do: build you CV PhD Post-doc Post-doc Named researcher Papers 2 Posters 1 Talk Papers 5 Posters 3 Talks 1 Invited talk 3 Grant applications 6 Travel grants 1 Reviewer for Journal 7 Training courses Papers 8 Posters 6 Talks 4 Invited talks 3 Grant applications 10 Travel grants 3 Reviewer for journals 9 Training courses 1 School committee 1 Poster prize 1 Talk prize 20 8 Papers 10 Posters 6 Talks 4 Invited talks 3 Grant applications 10 Travel grants 4 Reviewer for journals Training courses 1 School committee 1 Poster prize 1 Talk prize 1 Promotion

5 Do: get relevant experience PhD Post-doc Post-doc Named researcher Write papers and submit them Peer reviewing for journals Travel grants Grant writing workshops Grant applications Supervision (PhD, BSc (Hons), MSc/MRes) Committees Teaching (tutorials, practical class) Conferences and networking Collaborations (with PI) Invited talks

6 Do: develop your ideas PhD Post-doc Post-doc Named researcher Idea generation Information gathering Preliminary data (with permission from your PI) Draft proposal (Nov 2010)

7 Do: identify the best host institute PhD Post-doc Post-doc Named researcher Networking Departmental seminars Homework! Interview Don t: rush things

8 Do: get properly organised Fellowship/Stage (PhD awarded June 2005) Nov 10 Dec 10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct MRC Career Development Award Closing Date (27 Jan 20) Short listing (Jun 20) Interviews (21-22 Jul 20) Start (Aug 20-Jan 20) Royal Society of Edinburgh Scottish Government Personal Research Fellowship Application deadline (29 Mar- based on 2010) Interviews (1 June) Decision (July) Start (1 Oct) Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship Preliminary application (4 Apr 20) Full application Y/N (end Apr 20) Full application (1 July 20) Interviews (Dec 20) Start (within one year of award) The Royal Society University Research Fellowship Applications (15 Sep -based on 2010) Interviews (April) Results (May) Start (1 Oct) ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grant Proposals (Based on 2010) Interview (Winter- Brussels) Decision (Spring) Start MRC New Investigator Research Grant Applications Considered (May/Jun) *must have permanent position (will apply if get a RS or RSE fellowship) October 2010

9 Do: be flexible Fellowship/Stage (PhD awarded June 2005) Nov 10 Dec 10 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Royal Society of Edinburgh/CRF Biomedical Personal Research Fellowship Application deadline (2 May 20)) Interviews (June) Decision (July) Start (1 Oct) Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship Preliminary application (4 Apr 20) Full application Y/N (end Apr 20) Full application (1 July 20) Interviews (Dec 20) Start (within one year of award) The Royal Society University Research Fellowship Applications (15 Sep -based on 2010) Interviews (April) Results (May) Start (1 Oct) ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grant Proposals (Based on 2010) Interview (Winter- Brussels) Decision (Spring) Start MRC New Investigator Research Grant Applications Considered (May/Jun) *must have permanent position (will apply if get a RS or RSE fellowship) February 20

10 Do: get your proposal peer reviewed v1.0

11 Do: select peer reviewers from different backgrounds v2.0

12 Do: be prepared for differing opinions v3.0

13 Do: develop a thick skin v4.0

14 Do: polish, polish, polish! v5.0

15 Do: stay organised Fellowship/Stage (PhD awarded June 2005) Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Royal Society of Edinburgh/CRF Biomedical Personal Research Fellowship Application deadline (2 May 20)) Interviews (14 June)(know by 1 June) Decision (July) Start (1 Oct) The Royal Society University Research Fellowship Applications (15 Sep -based on 2010) Interviews (April) Results (May) Start (1 Oct) ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grant Proposals (Based on 2010) Interview (Winter- Brussels) Decision (Spring) Start MRC New Investigator Research Grant Applications (7 Sep 20) Considered (15/16 Feb 20)) April 20

16 Do: seek advice and feedback Fellowship/Stage Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct MRC New Investigator Research Grant Applications (7 Sep 20) Considered (IIB: 15/16 Feb 20) Start (1 Aug 20) The Royal Society University Research Fellowship Applications (15 Sep 20) Interviews (26 March-20 April 20) Results (May 20) Start (1 Oct 20) ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grant Info session Edinburgh (16 Sep 20) Proposals (9 Nov 20) Interview (Winter- Brussels) Decision (Spring) Start (must be within 6 months of award) July 20

17 Do: realise that it is not all about the science Objectives Summary Technical summary Academic beneficiaries Communications plan Impact summary Costings Case for support (8 pages) Pathways to impact Justification of resources List of publications Letters of support Curriculum vitae Data management plan Ethics Part B1 - Proposal summary Scientific leadership potential Scientific contribution to research field Recognition and diffusion of research Research career stage Curriculum vitae Extended synopsis of the project proposal (5 pages) Part B2 - Project Proposal (15 pages) Background Current state of the art Objectives Importance and potential impact Research environment Methodology Work plan Management and dissemination plans Resources and justification

18 Do: be mindful that you still have a job to do! PhD Post-doc Post-doc Named researcher

19 Don t: give up! Special thanks to: Neil Gow, Al Brown, Gordon Brown, Frank Odds, Carol Munro, Donna MacCallum, Alex Brand, Gill Auld, Kath Gibson, Ian Booth, Jonathan Pettitt, Sam Miller, Pete Sudbery, Paul Hoskisson, Daan van Aalten, Geoff Gadd, Nic Stanley-Wall, Tracy Palmer, Phil Cohen...