Success in Postdoctoral funding Birkbeck College October 18th, 2016

Different Options Fellowships (e.g., BA, Royal Society, Leverhume Trust, Wellcome Trust, MRC, Marie Curie, university schemes) Postdoctoral Researcher Assistants (e.g., research councils, charities, Horizon 2020 schemes, university schemes) Project Grants (e.g., ESRC) WHERE POSSIBLE WORK WITH THE POTENTIAL MENTOR TO DRAFT PROPOSAL

The inner process… Very different for different funders Based on impartial assessment Initial triage based on relevance and academic excellence Externals reviewers Decision panels (normally large) Some speak to your case, all vote

Writing a Good Grant proposal Allow yourself time Study your funding source Read the rules Discuss your proposal Justify your costings

Over all… Convey to the Panel your genuine interest, understanding and enthusiasm for the work. Write in plain English. Your proposal is likely to be seen by many people, including some who will not be familiar with your particular specialisation. Keep the following questions in mind as you plan: what is the story you are telling? what is the audience?  why does it matter?  why now?  why you?  

Content and Presentation Have I clearly formulated the problem? Have I established appropriate aims and objectives? Have I provided a well-thought out research design in which there is a reasoned explanation of the scale, timing and resources necessary? What will my research design allow me to say?  Have I given a full and detailed description of the proposed research methods? Have I demonstrated a clear and systematic approach to the analysis of data?  Have I thought about the ethics of what I am planning to do?

Content and Presentation Have I anticipated potential difficulties? Have I provided a bibliography?   Am I satisfied that I have fully defended my chosen research design?  Have I identified potential users of this research outside of the academic community?  Have I made a clear Impact case? Have I provided a clear dissemination strategy?