Dr Emma Hudson Grants Adviser Molecular & Physiological Sciences University of Bath – Funders Day 20 th May Funding opportunities from the Wellcome Trust

Overview Introduction to the Wellcome Trust and our new Strategic Plan Funding opportunities available to researchers in biomedical science Writing a grant application – some tips

an independent research- funding charity established 1936 funded from private endowment interests range from science to history of medicine to public engagement Grant spend 2008/09: c£535m The Wellcome Trust

Our new vision and mission Our vision is to achieve extraordinary improvements in human and animal health Our mission is to support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities Our breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health

Three focus areas… Supporting outstanding researchers supporting the best researchers at all stages of their careers; creating the best research environments; influencing the policy landscape Accelerating the application of research stimulating Technology Transfer, clinical research and uptake to policy & practice Exploring medicine in historical and cultural contexts fostering medical humanities, education & public engagement

Five major challenges… Maximising the health benefits of genetics and genomics Understanding the brain Combating infectious diseases Investigating development, ageing & chronic disease Connecting environment, nutrition and health

Molecular and Physiological Sciences Neurosciences & Mental Health Pathogens, Immunology & Population Health Immunology and Infectious Disease Populations and Public Health Neuroscience and Mental Health Physiological Sciences Molecules, Genes and Cells International Basic Clinical Wellcome Trust Science Funding Structure

Grant Funding for Biomedical Science Investigator Awards (from October 2010, replacing a number of our current schemes) Fellowships: Clinical, Basic & Tropical Training, Intermediate & Senior Strategic Awards: Strategic Awards Themed Initiatives

Investigator Awards Long-term support for world-class researchers with the vision to innovate, take risks and explore the most challenging questions in their field of study Judged on the excellence of the applicant, the importance of the research question and the proposed approach Open to researchers who are in posts salaried by their universities or research institutes

Investigator Awards Internationally competitive research programmesBroader aims - flexibilityPrincipal Applicant needs proventrack record of research and fundingSalaries for 3-4 posts, plus equipment, travel and materials, for five years. Awards typically in the region of £750k-£1.5mInternationally competitive research programmesBroader aims - flexibilityPrincipal Applicant needs proventrack record of research and fundingSalaries for 3-4 posts, plus equipment, travel and materials, for five years. Awards typically in the region of £750k-£1.5m New Investigator Awards Support world-class researchers who are no more than five years from appointment to their first academic position, but who can already show that they have the ability to innovate and drive advances in their field of study Senior Investigator Awards Support exceptional, world-class researchers, who hold an established academic position and have a compelling long-term vision for their research

Investigator Award application process CV details check Stage 1Stage 2 Main application submission Stage 3 Scientific review & short-listing External peer review Stage 4Stage 5 Selection Panel interviews Assessment Criteria the track record of the candidate and his or her standing in the field the quality and importance of the research question(s) the approach to solving these questions the suitability of the research environment how the proposed research addresses one or more of our major challenges.

Investigator Awards - Timetable 5 May 2010: CV details check available from office. 1 Oct 2010: Applications for Investigator Awards can be submitted. 22 Nov 2010: Closing date for the first round of Investigator Award applications. Feb 2011: Short-listing for interviews. May 2011: Interviews and first Investigator Awards made. No future deadlines – applications will be considered on a rolling basis. There will be four rounds a year.

Schemes ending in 2011 Project / Programme grants Equipment Technology Development Biomedical Resources University Awards Flexible Travel Awards 1 remaining Funding Committee Meeting open for applications: deadline - Friday 30 July 2010 for consideration at March 2011 funding round

Wellcome Trust Fellowship schemes

Personal Support Schemes – Non Clinical Scientists Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowships For the best newly qualified post-doctoral researchers with no more than 1 year of postdoctoral research. Annual competition. Next deadline 2 nd November. Research Career Development Fellowships For successful postdoctoral scientists with 3-6 years post-doctoral research experience. Biannual competition. Next deadline 20 th September Senior Research Fellowships For outstanding individuals of exceptional ability (with 5-10 years post-doc experience) to continue their independent programmes of research. Annual competition. Next deadline 4 th June

Research Training Fellowships For medical, dental and veterinary graduates with little or no research experience, to pursue training in a high quality research lab towards a PhD or MD. Considered three times a year. Next deadline 7 th June. Intermediate Clinical Fellowships For clinicians who have had an outstanding start to their research career to continue research at postdoctoral level and maintain a clinical career. Biannual competition. Next deadline 27 th September. Senior Research Fellowships For outstanding clinical investigators to further develop their research potential and to establish themselves as leading investigators in clinical academic medicine. Annual competition. Next deadline 6 th September. Personal Support Schemes – Clinical Scientists

Application process for personal support schemes Pick the best scheme for you and check details Preliminary application –Assess eligibility and suitability of person (and project) in relation to the scheme –Decision on whether to invite full application Full application –Detailed external peer review of person, project and place –Application and referees’ reports assessed by appropriate Wellcome Trust Funding Committee –Decision on whether to invite candidate for interview Interview –Decision on whether to make an award

ambitious initiatives across the breadth of the Wellcome Trust's interests highly flexible and responsive to emerging opportunities partnership with host institution recent examples: testing a new TB vaccine candidate London Pain Consortium Structural Genomics Consortium Public Health Foundation of India Biomedical Engineering Strategic awards

Writing the Application some tips……

A ‘Good’ Application A strong and original central hypothesis Evident knowledge of the area –Consider what’s already known, address conflicting opinions, use appropriate citations and references. Clear research plan –Is the technical approach feasible? Is the timescale realistic? What are the potential pitfalls and your fall- back plans? Are the requested resources appropriate? Convincing preliminary data Not over- or under- ambitious Appropriate expertise –Sponsors, co-applicants, collaborators and research team.

Easy to understand and read –Consider all readers, avoid jargon / abbreviations, check grammar and spelling All staff, equipment and materials & consumables should be fully justified Animal use should be carefully justified and power calculations provided, where appropriate Should offer the very best value for money A ‘Good’ Application

Peer Review Assessment Fellowships: person, project, place: –Standing of the candidate, e.g. track record –Candidate’s suitability for the type of fellowship - e.g. vision of how the award will enhance their career development and their longer term aspirations –Importance of the research question –Relevance of background information –Strengths and weaknesses of application; quality of science, feasibility. –Resources requested; are they appropriate? –Candidate’s choice of appropriate Sponsor & what that location offers Comparison with other applications of the same type – it’s a competition

Read the application form and guidance notes carefully and think about the answers to all the questions Check deadlines to avoid rushed applications and accept what the word “deadline” means e.g. it’s not necessarily ready to submit when you have finished with it as it must have been through your admin office too Queries? Concerns? Contact the Trust for advice Before starting your application….

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