Developing SuccessfulFellowship Applications

Dr Jane WellensSteven Hardy

What are fellowships?

Highly competitive and prestigiousfunding schemes to:•Support outstanding researchers who have the potential to become leaders in their field•Foster independent research careers and research career development•Contribute towards the researcher’s salary/stipend and research costs

Characteristics of successfulfellowship applications

They:1. Promise excellent research  2. Are of value to potential users outside or

within the research community  3. Convince of the ability to deliver research  4. Demonstrate value for money

So what could you include in an application to demonstrate this?

1. Promise Excellent Research

• Convey your genuine interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the work

• Have a clearly formulated problem.• Demonstrate how the work sits within

contemporary debates and builds on existing research.

• Show how you will make a contribution to research in the field (step change vs incremental)

• Develop appropriate and attainable aims and objectives

• Provide a clear and considered research design

2. Demonstrate value to potential users

• Align your work with the funder’s mission statement or strategic priorities/challenges

• Ensure fit with the primary aim/purpose of the scheme

• Identify and consult potential users of your research outside of the academic community

• Provide a dissemination strategy and impact statement (or equivalent)

3. Convince of your ability

Demonstrate:• Track record• Relevant experience• How the research fits with your career

development plans

• The Nuffield foundation expects applications to demonstrate how the researcher will:

• Pursue a new body of knowledge• Substantially extend their own knowledge

or competency• Acquire new research skills/methods• Develop interdisciplinary skills• Attend specific courses• Develop academic networks• Gain other experiences and responsibilities

3. Convince of your ability

Develop Your Track Record

Travel & Conference Grants• Professional bodies• Universities• Conference bursaries• Industry• Exchange programmes• Networks and workshop organisation

Develop Your Track Record

Other Grants• Facility use• Equipment• Gifts in kind• Industry• Undergraduate/postgraduate bursaries• Public understanding of science awards

Other Considerations: eligibility

• Qualifications• Nationality• Residence• Length of experience required for the

scheme• Employment status• Location of supporting

institution/researcher

Proposal Essentials (1)

• Allow sufficient time to develop the proposal and School/University approval and submission processes

• Study the funding source – is it appropriate?Success rates?

• Read the rules & guidance• Read the rules & guidance again!• Read the rules & guidance again!!

• Identify and fully justify the costings – why, not what

• Prepare an outline/summary proposal and discuss the application with experienced researchers

• Get hold of examples of successful proposals –speak to BDEs

• Stick to word/character limits, font sizes, marginsand other rules – especially for attachments

• Write for the reviewers (charities may include lay people)

• Avoid jargons and fully explain acronyms

Proposal Essentials (2)