Lessons from a Successful Applicant (×2) Health Sciences Department Lessons from a Successful Applicant (×2) Ellie John and Ellesha Smith NIHR Research Methods Fellows (soon to be NIHR Doctoral Research Fellows)

Previous Experience Ellesha Ellie Maths Degree (University of York) MSc in Medical Statistics (University of Leicester) NIHR Research Methods Fellowship (University of Leicester) Ellie Maths and Statistics Degree with Placement (University of Bath)

Why did we apply? Pursuing future career in academia Looking to undertake a PhD On the NIHR pathway Develop and continue current research NIHR DRF is a prestigious award Awarded your own grant Gain experience of grant writing Training opportunities Unlimited within reason Research visits Conference attendance

Top Tips for Completing the Application Read Guidance Notes thoroughly!!! Separate documents for each section Check word count in application form Can be different to Microsoft Word Layout of each section: Subtitles Bold and Italic fonts Bullet Points Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Think about it early Weave through the project RDS workshops Know the current literature

The THREE P’s Place Person Project Person Project Sell yourself Are you the right person for the project? How is your experience relevant? What are your future career aims and aspirations? Papers/ abstracts Project Feasible and realistic You only have 3 years! Benefit to NHS, patients and the public Impact and dissemination Know the details Explain in non-technical language Place Right support Right supervisors Multi-disciplinary department Other researchers in your area Connections to other institutions Person Sell yourself Are you the right person for the project? How is your experience relevant? What are your future career aims and aspirations? Papers/ abstracts Project Feasible and realistic You only have 3 years! Benefit to NHS, patients and the public Impact and dissemination Know the details Explain in non-technical language

Challenges First grant application Planning the project Looks daunting initially Use RDS and supervisory support First grant application Don’t know how the first year will go Ensure work packages are independent Planning the project Weave throughout RDS support Where/ How to include PPI Lay language is difficult Gain PPI input Plain English summary Use guidance notes Finances

Interview Preparation Presentation 5 minutes PPI Training Impact Remember to BREATHE! Clear and concise No animations Bold colours

Lots of practice Previous panel members People from different areas Mock Interviews Previous panel members People from different areas Practice answering questions you're not prepared for Note down/think of difficult questions Link answers to the 3 P’s Lots of practice

Interview Experience Dress smartly Friendly people on reception Large interview panel All looking at laptops! Sit down after presentation Calms the nerves Grilled on small details Unexpected questions Be prepared to answer something new Goes really quickly Good experience

Any Questions?