1. Lessons from a Successful Applicant (×2)
Health Sciences Department
Lessons from a Successful Applicant (×2)
Ellie John and Ellesha Smith
NIHR Research Methods Fellows
(soon to be NIHR Doctoral Research Fellows)

2. Previous Experience Ellesha Ellie Maths Degree (University of York)
MSc in Medical Statistics (University of Leicester)
NIHR Research Methods Fellowship (University of Leicester)
Ellie
Maths and Statistics Degree with Placement (University of Bath)

3. Why did we apply? Pursuing future career in academia
Looking to undertake a PhD
On the NIHR pathway
Develop and continue current research
NIHR DRF is a prestigious award
Awarded your own grant
Gain experience of grant writing
Training opportunities
Unlimited within reason
Research visits
Conference attendance

4. Top Tips for Completing the Application
Read Guidance Notes thoroughly!!!
Separate documents for each section
Check word count in application form
Can be different to Microsoft Word
Layout of each section:
Subtitles
Bold and Italic fonts
Bullet Points
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)
Think about it early
Weave through the project
RDS workshops
Know the current literature

5. The THREE P’s Place Person Project Person Project Sell yourself
Are you the right person for the project?
How is your experience relevant?
What are your future career aims and aspirations?
Papers/ abstracts
Project
Feasible and realistic
You only have 3 years!
Benefit to NHS, patients and the public
Impact and dissemination
Know the details
Explain in non-technical language
Place
Right support
Right supervisors
Multi-disciplinary department
Other researchers in your area
Connections to other institutions
Person
Sell yourself
Are you the right person for the project?
How is your experience relevant?
What are your future career aims and aspirations?
Papers/ abstracts
Project
Feasible and realistic
You only have 3 years!
Benefit to NHS, patients and the public
Impact and dissemination
Know the details
Explain in non-technical language

6. Challenges First grant application Planning the project
Looks daunting initially
Use RDS and supervisory support
First grant application
Don’t know how the first year will go
Ensure work packages are independent
Planning the project
Weave throughout
RDS support
Where/ How to include PPI
Lay language is difficult
Gain PPI input
Plain English summary
Use guidance notes
Finances

7. Interview Preparation
Presentation
5 minutes
PPI
Training
Impact
Remember to BREATHE!
Clear and concise
No animations
Bold colours

8. Lots of practice Previous panel members People from different areas
Mock Interviews
Previous panel members
People from different areas
Practice answering questions you're not prepared for
Note down/think of difficult questions
Link answers to the 3 P’s
Lots of practice

9. Interview Experience Dress smartly Friendly people on reception
Large interview panel
All looking at laptops!
Sit down after presentation
Calms the nerves
Grilled on small details
Unexpected questions
Be prepared to answer something new
Goes really quickly
Good experience

10. Any Questions?