Transcript Opportunities for Clinicians

Opportunities for Clinicians from MRC
Julia Dickinson
Programme Manager – Clinical Fellowships
NIHR Trainees Meeting, Leeds
26 November 2013
Content
• About the MRC
• Mission, Strategy and Remit
• MRC funding relevant to you
• Clinical Fellowships & NIRGs
• Application Process and Tips
Leading & partnering research
Dedicated to improving human health through
the best scientific research.
• Established 1913
• Funded by UK taxpayers
• One of seven Research Councils
MRC mission
• 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 remit and partners
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MRC: basic research to early
clinical trials
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Underpinning and aetiological
Prevention
Detection and diagnosis
Treatment development & evaluation
Phase 1 & 2 trials
Basic
research
Discovery
Preclinical
Other funders/partners
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Early
Clinical
Government departments,
especially Health
Other Research Councils
Medical Charities
Industry
Technology Strategy Board
Late
Clinical
HTA
MRC
BBSRC
NIHR
Medical Charities
TSB
Content
• About the MRC
• Mission, Strategy and Remit
• MRC funding relevant to you
• Clinical Fellowships & Research Grants
• Application and Peer Review Process
MRC Research Fellows
Great opportunities
Outstanding researchers
Fellowships
• The person
• The project
• The ‘place’
Grants
• The project /
programme
• The people
• The ‘place (s)’
“The thing I enjoy so much is
that my work has direct
application to people…”
MRC/Academy of Medical Sciences Clinician
Scientist
Fellowships: More than just a grant!
Great opportunities
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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
MRC Fellowships
Non Clinical, Clinical and Strategic Skills fellowships
Clinical Fellowships
Senior Research
Fellowships
Intermediate
Clinical Fellowship
For outstanding clinical researchers to establish themselves as
leading investigators in clinical academic medicine.
Considered three times a year.
For clinicians to continue research at a postdoctoral level and
develop towards independence.
Considered twice a year.
Starter Grants for
Clinical Lecturers
Postdoctoral Research
Training Fellowship
For Clinicians
Research Training
Fellowship
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.
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.
MRC has a leading role and complementary partnerships in
clinical research training
Research Grants
• Support: flexible, for high quality investigator-initiated
research
• Eligibility: UK Universities or NHS Trusts
• Duration: Up to 5 years - depends on the needs of the
research being supported
• Funding: no pre-set limits – subject to peer review of ‘value
for money’
• New Investigator Research Grants (NIRGs): clinical and nonclinical researchers in their first steps towards establishing
themselves as independent principal investigators.
– 3-10 year post doc (1 year for clinicians)
– Minimum 10hr/week
– potential source of research funding for fellows whose awards only
cover a personal salary
Content
• About the MRC
• Mission, Strategy and Remit
• MRC funding relevant to you
• Clinical Fellowships & NIRGs
• Application Process and Tips
Assessment of Fellowships
The Process:
Peer Review

Shortlisting

Panel Interview
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
Understand how peer review works
3 per 3-yr
Proposal
External
referees
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=fBDxI6l4dOA
Reports &
scores
By
Committee
subgroup
Shortlisting
Committee
scores & ranks
Committee
feedback
Learn from your mentors, peers &
funders how peer review works
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The Interview
• Normally 25-30 minutes
• All the Panel may be present
• 2 members will lead the questions
• Keep presentations to time
• Keep answers to the point
• Be prepared to discuss the referees’ comments
• Science-based questions, not competencies
• Practice!
Writing fellowship & grant proposals
Excite & don’t annoy your reviewers
1. Don’t be boring (“So what?”)
2. Be ambitious, original and credible
3. Structure a clear, logical plan to
achieve challenging objectives
4. Explain pilot data & others’ inputs
5. Risks are inevitable: Have a Plan B
6. Write clearly, for experts & nonexperts in your field. Make your
proposal easy to read!
7. Invite tough criticism from peers,
mentors & friends before you submit
Remember…
Your application will only be as strong as its weakest link
Design
Need & Potential
for Impact
Deliverability
Ethics
Resources
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
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More information
www.mrc.ac.uk
[email protected]
www.wellcome.ac.uk
John Williams: Head of Clinical Activities, [email protected]
James Harden: Clinical Activities Manager, [email protected]
Kathryn Adcock: Senior Portfolio Developer, Clinical Activities, [email protected]