Training & Career Development: Clinical Fellowships and Awards Dr Paul Colville-Nash Programme Manager, Medical Research Council Academic Clinical Fellows/Specialist Registrars Training Day Imperial College, London 25 th November 2008

MRC mission Encourage and support research to improve human health Produce skilled researchers Advance and disseminate knowledge and technology to improve the quality of life and economic competitiveness of the UK [and worldwide] Promote dialogue with the public about medical research

MRC funding MRC funding for research - £572m (2006/07) 50% of funding is directly to MRC research establishments 3 institutes, 29 units 50% of funding is in response mode 21 Centres, research grants, training awards and fellowships £52m pa on training and career development People Employs over 4000 staff in UK and overseas Supports 3000 staff on research grants 350 research fellows and 1400 students

Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board Strategy and delivery Strategy Board Population and Systems Medicine Board Infections and Immunity Board Neurosciences and Mental Health Board Population Sciences Overview Group Translational Research Overview Group Global Health Overview Group Training and Careers Overview Group

RTR panel Non-Clinical Panel RTR panel Clinical Panel Methodology & PH Sciences Panel Bio-informatics Panel TCOG RTR panel Studentship Referee panels Scientific Decision Making Training & Career Development Panels College of Experts (CoE) COUNCIL

Where to Start?

Opportunities for Clinical Scientists

Common features of MRC fellowships No age limits Can return from a career break Awards can be held part time Support for maternity/sick leave Procedures to minimise discrimination

Fellowships: Pre- to post-doctoral Research training towards a PhD for clinical scientists Clinical Research Training Fellowships (CRTFs) Early career entry for those with minimal previous lab experience Population Health Scientist Fellowship Population-based research into the promotion and maintenance of health, the frequency, burden and causal pathways of ill- health, and the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce or prevent ill-health

Clinical Research Training Fellowships Combining research with clinical training  2 clinical sessions/week (3 for surgeons)  12 month abeyance of award for concentrated training Personal salary Research expenses - £15K p.a. plus animal costs Overseas training allowance 2 rounds p.a. (Jan & Sept) Research overseas (1yr)/ 2nd UK Centre/UK Industrial Training

Demonstrates applicant is looking for breadth of research experience Should look for a centre appropriate for the particular research area Explain how this would broaden research experience and training and benefit long-term career development Outline how the experience will transfer newly acquired skills back to research base. CRTFs are able to spend all 3 years in our overseas units in the Gambia & Uganda Seeking another centre:

Jointly Funded Clinical Research Training Fellowship Charities Asthma UK British Lung Foundation Chronic Granulomatous Disorder Research Trust Cystic Fibrosis Trust Kidney Research UK MND Association Lady Edith Wolfson Fellowships Multiple Sclerosis Society Clinical Research Training Fellowships Royal Colleges Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Royal College of Physicians Royal College of Radiologists Royal College of Surgeons of England and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Welsh Assembly Clinical Research Training Fellowships

Application Peer Review Shortlisting Panel Interview Fellowships Process

Making a successful application 1 Planning & Preparation Can take a year from submission to starting of award Read & follow the instructions Case for support Answer all the questions Take account of what reviewers will be looking for Write clearly and economically Hypothesis Think about what your hypothesis is Why do you want to do this research Focus Not too many unrelated questions

Making a successful application 2 Killer experiment Prove hypothesis Conclusive approach, e.g. functional knockout Design Statistics and power Resources Fully justify resources, do not under/over fund Review internally Mentors for new applicants Get a second opinion, proof read & spell check Quality Not Quantity

Elements of successful proposals: Emphasis on potential for early career investigators Need a clear rationale for the research Clarity & Succinctness key Methodology - Preliminary Data Collaborations Quality of proposed training environment High-risk/high pay-off research encouraged

Unfocused, overambitious project Unoriginal, pedestrian approach No clear hypothesis, or not hypothesis-driven Methodology not sufficiently detailed Project not intellectually challenging Training element incomplete/unclear Centre has no international standing in research area Lack of infrastructure/facilities in training environment An application will fail because:

Application Peer Review Shortlisting Panel Interview Fellowships Process

The individual – potential to develop into a competitive researcher The science The environment The training proposed Relevance / value of any proposed period overseas or in industry Assessment of Fellowships

Application Peer Review Shortlisting Panel Interview Fellowships Process

Led by designated panel members Collecting evidence against key criteria Questioning by other panel members Private scoring and discussion Review of final ranking, including strategic importance of the area for training The Interview

Award Rates 2006/07 SchemeAppsAwardsAward Rate (%) SCF 8113% CSF % CRTF % HSR/HoP %

Fellowships: Intermediate Awards Transition from postdoctoral researcher to independent investigator Clinician Scientist Fellowship Open to medical & dental graduates up to Consultant grade, nurses, midwives and other health profession researchers NIHR Clinician Scientist Award Open to medical & dental graduates up to Special Registrar grade, nurses, midwives and other health profession researchers Joint Collaborative Career Development Award in Stem Cell Research Open to clinical & non-clinical applicants

Fellowships: Senior Awards Senior Clinical Fellowship Open to medical & dental graduates up to Consultant grade, nurses, midwives and other health profession researchers Awards for independent scientist/team leaders: national/international recognition

Thank you! Contacts Enquiries or Scientific queries via Programme Managers Details on MRC web-site under each Research Board ( TheResearchBoards/index.htm)