1. from a Post-doc to a Research Fellowship - in 7 steps
: How you can move
from a Post-doc to a Research Fellowship - in 7 steps
Ben Warren

2. What is a Research Fellowship and Why apply for them?
Independent funding to do your own research
Personal Award – not just your idea but you
Quicker route from Post-doc to a Permanent Position
Freedom to do what you want, where you want
Postdoc
Fellowship
Permanent
Position

3. Common misconceived barriers for Fellowships
‘I’m not ready to apply for fellowships.’
‘I’m worried that my PI will disapprove’
Maybe next year
‘I’m not competitive enough’
When you are ready it may be too late – might just miss out on deadline, allows you to create roadmap to submission. Few people get their first fellowship – the feedback you will get is invaluable!
It is your career and your future and your PI should encourage you and is certainly not allowed to disapprove
You are allow time for career development activities – 10 days per year 2 hours per week – evenings and weekends
You don’t need first author nature publications – you need to sell yourself and your ideas
‘I will fail’

4. 1. List what Fellowships you can apply for
Go through eligibility criteria, make a list of the deadlines and the type of work they will fund.
AVAILABLE FELLOWSHIPS
Humboldt Foundation (Germany)
Marie Curie
NC3Rs
MRC
Wellcome Trust
NIHR
Leverhulme Trust
Royal Society
BBSRC
UKRI

5. 2. Develop a Novel Idea and your Research Aims
Think of ideas
Read current reviews and books
Break down your idea into Aims
Talk to everyone and anyone about your research Aims
Distinct from your current PI, and your PhD work
but complementary novel and exciting.
Review

6. 3. Prizes mean points – rank up points
Travel Grants
Summer Studentships
Symposium organisation
Training courses
Lab visits
Invited talks

7. 4. Network
2 reasons: the closest researchers in your field will also be the one potentially reviewing your application
find a suitable research institution

8. 5. Collect Preliminary Data
Evidences your ability to carry out the proposed research
Makes your proposal easier to understand
Makes your proposal easier on the eye – aesthetically pleasing
How to collect Preliminary Data
Make your novel idea complementary to your current work
Convince your PI that your novel idea will result in a publication
Evening and weekends
Are allowed 10 days per year for activities not directly related to your work

9. 6. Know what they are looking for
Timeliness
Impactful
Leadership
Training
Fellowship details
Highlight key words and phrases
Hang these words and phrases by your computer
State clearly how you have fulfilled these requirements
Proposal assessment criteria
9.5 BBSRC David Phillips fellowships are intended to enable successful candidates to embark upon a period of independent research and scholarship at an important stage in their research career. The fellowships are designed to provide a career enhancement to support outstanding scientists in the initial stages of their career, and there is therefore a strong emphasis on the scientific potential of the candidates. In making these awards, BBSRC will be seeking to identify scientists who can be expected in the future to be among the leaders of their generation of bio-scientists. In addition the proposed scientific programme should be sound and of a novelty and timeliness that will add to the understanding of the area of research, and the environment in which a candidate proposes to undertake their research should provide the best possible opportunity for the fellow to establish their research group and advance their career. It is essential that applicants clearly describe within their proposal how the award of a fellowship will allow them to embark upon independent research and to develop their career
Proposal assessment criteria
9.5 BBSRC David Phillips fellowships are intended to enable successful candidates to embark upon a period of independent research and scholarship at an important stage in their research career. The fellowships are designed to provide a career enhancement to support outstanding scientists in the initial stages of their career, and there is therefore a strong emphasis on the scientific potential of the candidates. In making these awards, BBSRC will be seeking to identify scientists who can be expected in the future to be among the leaders of their generation of bio-scientists. In addition the proposed scientific programme should be sound and of a novelty and timeliness that will add to the understanding of the area of research, and the environment in which a candidate proposes to undertake their research should provide the best possible opportunity for the fellow to establish their research group and advance their career. It is essential that applicants clearly describe within their proposal how the award of a fellowship will allow them to embark upon independent research and to develop their career

10. 7. Write your Research Proposal
Get help - PI
Get help - colleagues, seek out other successful proposals
Get help - anyone and everyone else
Have a punchy opening paragraph – a foot in the door
Justify how each Aim and Objective will advance knowledge and benefit the field
Use sexy figures – easier to understand, preliminary data, aesthetically pleasing
Underestimate heavily the expertise of the reader
Live, eat and breath your proposal

11. RESOURCES Research and Enterprise Division (RED) Doctoral College
Departmental administrators
-and-how-you-might-get-yours/

12. Questions Introduction: the Post-doc and Research Staff Association
Anastasios Stavrou
Presentation 1: Life and work as a job share research staff: How can you manage your work as part-time staff
Charlotte Powell and Deborah Bamber
Presentation 2: Industry and Academia: How can working in industry help your research career
Chris Millard
Presentation 3: The Next generation: How can you move from a post-doc to Research Fellowship
Ben Warren