Opportunities for Clinicians from MRCJulia DickinsonProgramme Manager – Clinical FellowshipsNIHR 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

• Established 1913• Funded by UK taxpayers• One of seven Research Councils

Dedicated to improving human health through the best scientific research.

Leading & partnering research

• 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

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

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

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

Great opportunitiesOutstanding researchers

Fellowships: More than just a grant!

“My fellowship led directly to more opportunities and collaborations…”

MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow

• Resources • Protected time• Connections, networks• Potential to establish

competitive position

• Route to independence• Recognition• Influence

Great opportunities

Outstanding researchers

MRC Fellowships Non Clinical, Clinical and Strategic Skills fellowships

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.

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 non-

clinical 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

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Understand how peer review works

External referees

Committee scores & ranks

Reports & scores

Committee feedback

Shortlisting

3 per 3-yr Proposal

By Committee subgroup

National Institutes of Health (NIH)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBDxI6l4dOA

Learn from your mentors, peers & funders how peer review works

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

1. Don’t be boring (“So what?”)2. Be ambitious, original and credible3. Structure a clear, logical plan to

achieve challenging objectives4. Explain pilot data & others’ inputs5. Risks are inevitable: Have a Plan B6. Write clearly, for experts & non-

experts in your field. Make your proposal easy to read!

7. Invite tough criticism from peers, mentors & friends before you submit

Excite & don’t annoy your reviewers

Remember…

Your application will only be as strong as its weakest link

Deliverability

Resources

DesignNeed & Potential

for Impact Ethics

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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

More information

www.mrc.ac.ukJulia.Dickinson@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk

www.wellcome.ac.ukJohn Williams: Head of Clinical Activities, j.williams@wellcome.ac.ukJames Harden: Clinical Activities Manager, j.harden@wellcome.ac.ukKathryn Adcock: Senior Portfolio Developer, Clinical Activities, k.adcock@wellcome.ac.uk