1. 9 th Annual NIHR Trainee Meeting 24 November 2015 Julia Dickinson MRC Programme Manager

2. Established 1913 Funded by UK taxpayers Dedicated to improving human health through the best scientific research. MRC: Leading & partnering research

3. Encourage and support high-quality research with the aim of improving human health. Produce skilled researchers. Advance and disseminate knowledge and technology to improve the quality of life and economic competitiveness in the UK and worldwide. Promote dialogue with the public about medical research. MRC mission

4. MRC remit and partners MRC: basic research to early clinical trials – Underpinning and aetiological – Prevention – Detection and diagnosis – Treatment development & evaluation – Phase 1 & 2 trials Other funders/partners – Government departments, especially Health – Other Research Councils – Medical Charities – Industry – Technology Strategy Board Basic research Discovery Preclinical Early Clinical Late Clinical HTA MRC BBSRC Medical Charities TSB NIHR

5. MRC Fellowships: More than just a grant! Fellowships  The person  The project  The ‘place’ Grants  The project / programme  The people  The ‘place(s)’ Great opportunities Resources Protected time Connections, networks Potential to establish competitive position Outstanding researchers Route to independence Recognition Influence “My fellowship led directly to more opportunities and collaborations…” MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow

6. Grant support Grant support MRC support at different career stages Clinical Research Training Fellowship” MRC Senior Fellow “Transition to Leadership” MRC Senior Fellow “Transition to Leadership” Acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies through systematic instruction Acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, technical and transferrable through original research Consolidation of research skills and confirmation of medical research as personal career choice Exploration of personal capacity and aptitude for independence Leading independent research plans and establishment of research team Leadership and management of own programme, team and resource Setting strategic direction, leadership and management of multiple programmes, teams and resources Skills Development Fellowships MRC Units and Institutes Post-docs on grants Post-docs on grants New investigator grants “Transition to Independence” Studentships

7. Research Training Fellowship For medical, dental, clinical psychology and veterinary graduates with little/no research experience, to pursue training in a research lab towards a PhD. Considered three times a year. Intermediate Clinical Fellowship For clinicians to continue research at a postdoctoral level and develop towards independence. Considered twice a year. Senior Research Fellowships For outstanding clinical researchers to establish themselves as leading investigators in clinical academic medicine. Considered three times a year. Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers Clinical Fellowships Postdoctoral Research Training Fellowship For Clinicians For clinicians who have recently gained a higher degree to undertake a postdoc that will help them address a longer term research vision. Or for individuals who undertook a PhD early in their career (eg, through an MB/PhD Programme) who wish to regain momentum.. Considered three times a year.

8. Clinical Research Training Fellowships 2-4 years support to obtain a PhD Early career entry for those with minimal previous lab experience Combining research with 1-2 clinical PAs Pre-doctoral  Full salary  20k p.a research expenses  Animal/second centre/healthy volunteer costs Post-doctoral  “catch-up” time to re-enter research Joint funding with charities and Royal Colleges 2 rounds a year (submissions January and September)

9. Clinician Scientist Fellowship Transition to independent investigator Usually 1-5 years post-doc experience 4-5 years' support Salary, research expenses (inc. support staff) & travel costs Average £1m per award Next deadline April 2016 Routes in  PhD/training fellowship  Clinical Lectureship  Clinical Training/post-CCT  Postdoc/Co-I on grants

10. Skills Development Fellowships Early post-doctoral career stage / changes in discipline Focussed on priority areas requiring capacity building at this level Quantitative Expertise: mathematics, statistics, computation and informatics applicable to any biomedical or health related data sources, from molecular to population level. Interdisciplinary skills: All interfaces inc. chemical/ physical/ engineering, social/economical and clinical, applied to e.g., imaging, health economics, antimicrobial resistance and translational medicine. Applicants should hold a PhD (or equivalent) 3 years support: full personal salary costs, consumables expenses, travel costs and capital equipment Support for periods overseas, at a 2 nd UK institution, or within industry Next deadline: 16 June 2016

11. Research Grants Support: flexible, for high quality investigator-initiated research Eligibility: UK Universities or NHS Trusts Duration: generally 3 to 5 years Funding: no pre-set limits – subject to peer review of ‘value for money’ Principal investigator: proven track record delivering research projects and outputs Co-investigators: assist the PI in the management and leadership of the research project New Investigator Research Grants (NIRGs): First grant as PI

12. New Investigator Research Grants (NIRGs) Support: clinical and non-clinical researchers in their first steps as independent principal investigators Duration: minimum 3 years Applicants:  Post-doctoral  Minimum 10hr/week  potential source of research funding for fellows whose awards only cover a personal salary Funding:  Research, technical or other post; consumables, equipment & travel costs  No limit – value for money  Research Organisation must contribute to salary & demonstrate they will consider you for a permanent position

13. Assessment of Fellowships The Process: Peer Review  Shortlisting  Panel Interview

14. Two-stage Review Process Referee Assessment Detailed evaluation of candidate potential, scientific quality and level of resourcing Inform short-listing decisions and interviews/funding decision Panel Assessment Short-listing decisions based on referees’ assessment Interview candidates to make funding decisions

15. Fellowship Applicants – Right scheme?

16. 16 Sources of advice … Funder Website, helpline Named contact University Grants office University requirements Costing software Assistance in preparing grant applications Writing workshops Helpdesk Experienced colleagues and collaborators Past evaluation committee members Successful grant applicants

17. More information www.mrc.ac.uk fellows@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk