1. Preparing for Fellowships
Vivek Nityananda

2. My background 2008: PhD, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
2009: Postdoc, University of Minnesota
: HFSP Long Term Fellow, QMUL
: Marie Curie Incoming International Fellow, QMUL
: Postdoc, Newcastle University
: College for Life Sciences Fellow, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin
: David Phillips Research Fellow, Newcastle University (from June)
Small grants: CEE, CBE, Wellcome Trust, Great North Museum
12 corresponding author publications, 4 independent author publications
16 invited talks + invited reviews and referee requests, extensive media coverage
My background

3. 2008-2009: Mostly applying for postdocs, freelance illustration and writing.
2013: Early Career Fellowship, Research Fellowship, Leverhulme Trust, Unsuccessful
2014: Public Engagement Fellowship, Wellcome Trust, Unsuccessful
2015: University Research Fellowship, Royal Society, Unsuccessful
2017: David Phillips Fellowship, Research Fellowship, BBSRC, Reached the interview stage, Unsuccessful
2018: Manchester Presidential Fellowship, Unsuccessful
2018: ARC Future Fellowship, Abandoned midway
: ~70 lecturership/Assistant Prof applications, 5 Interviews, Unsuccessful
My background

4. Fellowships It’s all about you
Find your narrative – about your career and about your project.
Host fit is important- choose the place that’s best for your science as well as gives you good support.

5. Prepare in advance Set up your CV to seem like you’re ready.
Lots of time for writing the application.
Allow time for multiple feedback loops from mentors.
Allow time for budget calculations and corrections from the finance department.
Allow time for processing by HR.

6. Publications First author publications
Corresponding author publications.
Independent author publications – separate collaborations, single author, reviews, commentaries.
Productivity > Impact Factor (perhaps)
“Big” publications just before applying help.

7. Funding Any external or internal funding
Scholarships, Travel grants, Short visit grants
Equipment funding

8. Career Independence Upward trajectory Do you look like a PI?
Mentorship, Responsibilities
Invitations to speak

9. Letters of Support Build in new collaborations
Letters should specify what the collaboration will entail.

10. Preliminary Data Important especially for the more senior fellowships.
Ideally get a small pot of money to run preliminary experiments.
Try to get your data alongside your current project.

11. ‘Hero’ narrative Set the stage in the very first paragraph
What is the question and why is it important?
What is missing?
You are going to solve this!
Second paragraph: summary of how you will.
Why Here, Why You, Why Now?

12. Interview Practice in mock interviews.
Find out typical questions – these are often repeated.
Panel of about 15 people
Short presentation (10 minutes) and short Q&A (10 minutes) – so be prepared.
Think about where you fit into the broader field and your competitors –what do you bring?
Think about impact.
Think about management of the project, contingency planning, mentoring and leadership.
Be engaging –stand out!

13. Take Home Messages Prepare- in time!
Build in “good practice” (independence, leadership, creativity, collaborations, good writing) into your research functioning on a regular basis.
Make use of opportunities.
Take care of yourself- mental health is important!
Keep failing- fail better.