Opportunities for Clinicians from MRC Dr Adam Babbs MRC Programme Manager University of Leeds Medical Academic Trainees’ Event 10 November 2014

Content About the MRC Mission, Strategy and Remit MRC funding relevant to you Clinical Fellowships & NIRGs Application Process and Tips

Established 1913 Funded by UK taxpayers One of seven Research Councils Dedicated to improving human health through the best scientific research. Leading & partnering research

Encourage and support high-quality research with the aim of improving human health. Produce skilled researchers. Advance and disseminate knowledge and technology to improve the quality of life and economic competitiveness in the UK and worldwide. Promote dialogue with the public about medical research. MRC mission

Delivering MRC strategy New frontiers –Stratified medicine –Regenerative medicine –Systems medicine Living a long and healthy life –Mental health & wellbeing –Lifestyle behaviours and health Global and population health –E-health –Infections Safeguarding the UK skills base –Protecting intermediate & strategic skill fellows –Developing world class leaders MRC Fellowship Priorities Integration of biological & engineering technologies Development & application of innovative maths & stats methods Innovative methods at the interface of preclinical & clinical medicine and in population health sciences Fellows developing careers at the academic-industry interface

MRC remit and partners MRC: basic research to early clinical trials Underpinning and aetiological Prevention Detection and diagnosis Treatment development & evaluation Phase 1 & 2 trials Other funders/partners Government departments, especially Health Other Research Councils Medical Charities Industry Innovate UK (Formerly TSB) Basic research Discovery Preclinical Early Clinical Late Clinical HTA MRC BBSRC Medical Charities (e.g. Wellcome Trust, CRUK, BHF etc) Innovate UK NIHR

7 Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board MRC Structure Strategy Board Population and Systems Medicine Board Infections and Immunity Board Neurosciences and Mental Health Board Population Health Sciences Group Translational Research Group Global Health Group Training and Careers Group Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme Panel Methodology Panel and Translational Stem Cell Research Committee Strategic Skills Panel Clinical PanelNon-Clinical Panel

Content About the MRC Mission, Strategy and Remit MRC funding relevant to you Clinical Fellowships & NIRGs Application Process and Tips

MRC Research Fellows Fellowships The person The project The ‘place’ Grants The project / programme The people The ‘place (s)’ “ The thing I enjoy so much is that my work has direct application to people …” MRC/Academy of Medical Sciences Clinician Scientist Great opportunities Outstanding researchers

Fellowships: More than just a grant! “My fellowship led directly to more opportunities and collaborations…” MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow Resources Protected time Connections, networks Potential to establish competitive position Route to independence Recognition Influence Great opportunities Outstanding researchers

MRC Fellowships Non Clinical, Clinical and Strategic Skills fellowships

MRC has a leading role and complementary partnerships in clinical research training

Clinical Panel Clinical Research Training Fellowship Clinician Scientist Fellowship Senior Clinical Fellowship MRC Fellowship & Studentship Panels Training and Careers Group Non-Clinical Panel Career Development Award Senior Non-Clinical Fellowship Strategic Skills Panel Career Development Award in Biostatistics / Methodology Research / Economics of Health / Population Health Scientist / Biomedical Informatics Fellowships Industry Collaborative Training & Careers Panel MRC Industry CASE Studentships MCMB/PSMB/IIB/NMHB Population Health Sciences/Translational Research/Global Health Groups Methodology/Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme/Developmental Clinical Studies Panel

Clinical Research Training Fellowships Early career entry for those with minimal previous lab experience Joint funding with charities and Royal Colleges 2 rounds p.a. (Jan and Sept) awards p.a. Pre-doctoral Combining research with clinical training For salary, research expenses (£20k p.a.) & animal/second centre training costs Post-doctoral “catch-up” time to re-enter research

Great outcomes Sample of MRC clinician PhDs (CRTFs) training in % now hold a senior academic position 37% are NHS consultants 85% are both clinically and research active 76% are leading research 63% have secured further funding Effect on career: Most = “Significant” or “Very Significant”

Strategic Skills Fellowships 3 years, ~£350k Population based research & methodological training Promotion and maintenance of health Frequency, burden and causal pathways of ill- health, Effectiveness of interventions to reduce or prevent ill-health 1 round p.a. (June) 8-10 awards p.a Population health scientist fellowship

Clinician Scientist Fellowship Post-doctoral Transition to independent investigator 1-6 years post-doc experience Up to 4 years' support 5 years if 40% clinical work involved Salary, research expenses (inc. support staff) & travel costs Average £1m per award 1 round p.a. (April) 7-10 awards p.a.

Senior Clinician Fellowship Post-doctoral Independent investigator Up to 10 years post-doc experience Up to 5 years' support Salary, research expenses (inc. support staff) & travel costs Average £1.6m per award 1 round p.a. (April) 2-3 awards p.a.

Content About the MRC Mission, Strategy and Remit MRC funding relevant to you Clinical Fellowships & NIRGs Application Process and Tips

Assessment of Fellowships The Process: Peer Review  Shortlisting  Panel Interview

21 Understand how peer review works External referees Committee scores & ranks Reports & scores Committee feedback Shortlisting 3 per 3-yr Proposal By Committee subgroup National Institutes of Health (NIH) ?v=fBDxI6l4dOA Learn from your mentors, peers & funders how peer review works

Two-stage Review Process Referee Assessment Detailed evaluation of candidate potential, scientific quality and level of resourcing Inform short-listing decisions and interviews/funding decision Panel Assessment Short-listing decisions based on referees’ assessment Interview candidates to make funding decisions

Writing fellowship & grant proposals 1.Don’t be boring (“So what?”) 2.Be ambitious, original and credible 3.Structure a clear, logical plan to achieve challenging objectives 4.Explain pilot data & others’ inputs 5.Risks are inevitable: Have a Plan B 6.Write clearly, for experts & non- experts in your field. Make your proposal easy to read! 7.Invite tough criticism from peers, mentors & friends before you submit Excite & don’t annoy your reviewers

Remember… Your application will only be as strong as its weakest link Deliverability Resources Design Need & Potential for Impact Ethics

25 Sources of advice … Funder Website, helpline Named contact University Grants office University requirements Costing software Assistance in preparing grant applications Writing workshops Helpdesk Experienced colleagues and collaborators Past evaluation committee members Successful grant applicants

More information Programme Manager: Clinical Fellowships