1. Pre-Doctoral fellowships: why, what, how?

2. Why do a pre-doctoral fellowship?
Protected time to develop research skills, undertake preliminary research and prepare for a doctoral application and/or funding bid
Foundation for a clinical academic career
Opportunity to build
networks and collaborations
research CV
confidence and skills

3. Key points Part or full salary (NB backfill required)
Time out of current role
Funds for training (usually)
3 Ps
Person
Project
Place

4. Common to all
Fellowships are as much about the applicant and the host institution as they are about the research itself
Applicants need to demonstrate that they are serious about a clinical academic pathway
Online submission, so early registration and familiarisation is essential
Signatories may also have to register and need time
Won’t accept applications after the specific deadline i.e. midday on xxx

5. Things to remember It takes time – start as early as you can
Get support early – mentor, supervisor, manager, finance, signatories
READ THE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Make time for peer review and changes
Don’t leave everything till the last minute
Thank people who have helped you
Let them know the outcome
Rejection is common – it doesn’t mean you don’t have the potential and won’t get it next time!

6. Different fellowships
NIHR PCAF – Pre-doctoral clinical fellowship – open February, deadline April
Imperial Healthcare Charity / BRC Pre-doctoral fellowship – open October, deadline January
RM Partners fellowship – open now

7. NIHR PCAF Eligibility Applicants must
belong to one of ICA programme’s eligible professions
have one year’s experience post graduation
be employed in the NHS (or other free at point of use healthcare provider)
spend at least 50% of time delivering healthcare services free at point of use
May already have Master’s degree but not expected

8. NIHR PCAF - Organisational context
Partnership between NHS and HEI
Clinical & Academic hosts required but only one employing organisation (can be either host)
Host organisations must show commitment to the fellow’s academic training
Host organisation statement
Approval of ‘Clinical Support’ person
Sign off by Head of Department

9. What the NIHR PCAF offers
50% salary (including on-costs) – F/T or P/T
< £5,000 towards Master’s level training
may ask for supplementary funding if a whole Masters is needed
<£1,000 bursary for conference/meeting expenses
<£1,000 towards supervision & mentorship costs
NO research costs

10. What you have to do
CV – qualifications, jobs, grants, publications, prizes/awards, ORCID ID
Research career (1000 words)
Training and development programme (1000 words)
Supervisor (1000 words)
Research support (600 words)
Collaborations (500 words)
Host organisation statement (1000 words)
Detailed budget

11. Research career
Aptitude, commitment to a research career & research leadership potential
Involvement in / contribution to research
Methods experience
Leadership
Teaching, supervision
PPI
Research skills and training

12. Training and development - think BESPOKE
Tailored to specific needs and fully justified
Formal courses e.g. MSc modules
Short skills courses / workshops e.g. Stats, Qualitative research, Leadership
Placements with other research groups
Conferences
Preliminary research may be conducted
Application for competitive doctoral fellowship is expected

13. Assessment criteria the quality of the academic training
the provision of a strong academic environment
the suitability and commitment of the applicant to a career as a clinical academic
the arrangements for ensuring protected time for the applicant to undertake the academic training proposed coupled with ensuring the continuation of clinical service
demonstrable track record of the host Academic Higher Education Institute (HEI) Department in training clinicians who have gone on to develop academic careers

14. Imperial Charity Up to £65,000 over 12 months FT or 24 months PT
Open to ICHT employees only – medics & healthcare professionals outside of medicine, including Clinical Research Practitioners
1. Personal details 2. Project summary and research proposal 3. Supervisor 4. Fit with the charity’s strategic objectives 5. Project outcomes and career plans 6. Project costs 7. Application support and declarations

15. Charity’s Strategic Objectives
to improve patient care, safety and experience
to enhance the Trust/ NIHR Imperial BRC as a leader in clinical research, education and service development
to improve the health status of the local community, including patients and staff, and address health inequalities

16. Pan-London Cancer Research Fellowships
Full time (12 months) or part time over longer period
Research project briefs submitted by potential supervisors
early diagnosis; reducing variation; cancer in older people; living with and beyond cancer; end of life & palliative care
Applicants contact supervisor and discuss
Supervisor selects preferred applicant
Joint application submitted
Interview shortlisted applicants

17. Think about
YOU – research & clinical experience, responsibilities & role, career ambitions
Your SUPPORT – who, what, why, when
Your TRAINING – what, why, when
Your RESEARCH – purpose, background, research plan, timescale, potential problems (supported by evidence)
Your COSTS – salary, training, research expenses (checked carefully by finance)
JUSTIFY everything – costs, support and supervision, training

18. The whole package
You
Host
Training
Supervision
Mentorship

19. I would say definitely some positives!
Experiences so far….
Although it was extremely stressful as the deadline was within a very short tight frame and there was no example of a previously filled out application form to look at, it was also an interesting exercise - particularly having to find the right courses to attend - and in terms of receiving support and positive comments from other/senior clinicians/managers.
I would say definitely some positives!

20. Experiences so far…
It was certainly an added pressure to an already busy schedule, but provided a great opportunity for me to get to know different academics and research support staff within the trust. I was able to work with senior clinical academics to develop a loose plan of a PhD topic (for into the future), and plan for what skills/training I would need to make that work. It was also beneficial as a reflective episode; I really checked in with what I had done in the past and surprised myself that I actually had a stronger research background than I thought! Finally, the process of completing the application was useful – and hopefully great practice for doing this into the future.