Title: Finding Funding in Medical Research Dr Liesl Osman NDM Research Facilitation http://www.ndm.ox.ac.uk/page/research-facilitation
1Finding Funding in Medical ResearchDr Liesl
Osman NDM Research Facilitationhttp//www.ndm
.ox.ac.uk/page/research-facilitation
- NDM Research Facilitation
- Dr Catherine Moyes
- Dr Liesl Osman
- Ms Claudia Alen Amaro
2Todays talk
- Understanding the funding framework
- The review process in funding decisions what
you need to know - Computer search tools for identifying funding
sponsors - Fellowships and the career window
- What makes a high quality application
3- Important funders for NDM researchers
- MRC
- BBSRC
- Wellcome Trust
- Royal Society
- Gates Foundation
- Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
- Diabetes UK
- British Heart Foundation
- Arthritis Research Council
- UK Department of Health (NIHR, HTA)
- EC/European Research Council
- NIH (USA)
Research Councils
Foundations
Charities
Government bodies
4Funding things to think about, questions to ask
Funder priorities- have you shown how your
project fits? Have you got a realistic time line
which clearly describes goals? Have you shown
the possible pitfalls and explained how you
would deal with them
Project grants
Fellowships
Not just good science have you got a real
career strategy?
5Planning!
- Expect several months from when you think of
making an application to actually putting it in. - Then, more time to review and decision
- Then, more time to when the award is activated
- At least 12 months all told. If you miss an
application deadline this may delay you by 6
months to a year
6Complexity of application deadlines
- Wellcome Trust 4 panels per year
- MRC project grants - 3 panels per yr (Jan, May,
September) - fellowships once a year, Jan/Feb
- BBSRC project grants - 4 panels per year (Jan,
April, July, October) - fellowships once a year
- NIHR/HTA Efficacy of treatments can put
suggestions in, specific calls any time - EU/ERC Independent Investigator Grant - July
- NIH (USA) Any time
- CRUK - 4 panels per year (Jan, April, July,
October) - fellowships once a year (May)
- Diabetes UK - 2 panels per yr ( June december0
- B H F project grants - 6 panels per yr,
fellowships 4 panels per yr - A R C project grants 3 panels per yr,
fellowships 1 panels per yr
7The review process
- APPLICATION COMES IN TO FUNDER.
- First round - In house removes apps which dont
fit criteria. - Second round Proposal sent out to external
reviewers - Third round short listed proposals go to panel.
Panel members (2 or 3) are assigned to act as
presenter of the proposal. - PANEL MEETING (may last 1-2 days)
- About 10 minutes per proposal, presented by
assigned member - Panel members discuss and vote give another
score. - Proposals ranked funding cut off then decided
dependent on funds. - Proposals above the cut off are funded
8How reviewers make their ratings
- Importance
- Is research in this area needed?
- Is there a good medical or scientific rationale
for pursuing the questions or gaps in knowledge
that are being addressed? Is success likely to
lead to significant new understanding? - Does the proposal realistically set out the
ultimate potential benefits with respect to
improving human health? - To what extent will it contribute, directly or
indirectly, to relieving the burden of disease? - How important it is to do the work now?
- Is there similar or complementary research
underway elsewhere? Are the proposals
competitive? - Scientific potential
- How innovative are the proposals?
- Are the experimental plans realistic, given the
aims of the research and the resources? - Are the methods and study designs competitive
with the best in the field? - Have major scientific, technical or
organisational challenges been identified, and
will they be tackled well? - In the case of grants for pilot or proof of
principle work, how will the workbe developed and
how feasible are the subsequent proposals - Environment and people
9Imagine you are a panel member!
- You will be reviewing dozens of applications
- You will be mostly influenced by the reviewers
judgements - But what will encourage you to give a little bit
higher score for an application?
10Application tips
- Do your homework. Be prepared it takes time to
draw up a good application (i.e. 6 months). - There is a crucial window of opportunity for
early and mid career fellowships they all have
restrictions on time since doctorate awarded,
dont miss your chance. - Early career 3 to 6 years
- Mid career - 3 to 8 years
- If your career plans include going for a
fellowship you MUST start thinking about this at
4-5 years post doc
11Wellcome Trust Career Path Diagram
Post doc, eligibility usually three years .
Must have own publishing record with some first
author papers
Not many of these for basic scientists early post
doc more chance if you are a clinician
12Tools for finding funding
- Researchresearch.com
- Flexible, international
- Not user friendly, complex, needs training
- RDInfo
- Easy to use
- Limited flexibility
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16Final digression
- Funding myths Its not worth applying to the
MRC/British Heart Foundation/Royal Society
because - They dont like funding Oxford
- They are cutting back in funding
- etc etc
- Reality Average award rate for Oxford is
comparable with other high quality research
institutions 25-30.
17What makes a high quality application?
- You answer the requirements specified in the
application form and guide. READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS - You dont assume that the panel knows the details
of your research area. You do assume that they
are highly experienced researchers who can spot
waffle at 100 paces. - You dont attempt to glide over obvious
criticisms you acknowledge these and answer
them. - Think of your proposal as a story make it
interesting for the reader
18Research Facilitation - Support which increases
the scientific value of research done in the
department
- Support for project/programme applications of
PIs. - Strategic Planning support
- Support of applications which need departmental
commitment/involvement - John Fell Fund
- NIHR applications, and other senior fellowship
applications where the funder asks for continuing
salary commitment - Organisation of mock interviews for shortlisted
career development fellows - Preparing prize nominations for PIs, for major
international awards - Career development through
- Seminars and workshops for skills building in
making applications - One to one sessions to develop CVs, look at
funding opportunities
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