Finding Funding in Medical Research Dr Liesl Osman NDM Research Facilitation http://www.ndm.ox.ac.uk/page/research-facilitation

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Finding 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

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Todays 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

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• 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
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Funding 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?
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Planning!

• 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

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Complexity 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

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The 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

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How 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

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Imagine 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?

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Application 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

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Wellcome 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
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Tools for finding funding

• Researchresearch.com
• Flexible, international
• Not user friendly, complex, needs training
• RDInfo
• Easy to use
• Limited flexibility

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Final 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.

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What 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

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Research 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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