Wellcome Trust Funding Schemes and Grantsmanship

1. Wellcome Trust Funding Schemes and Grantsmanship Dr Saba Shakib University of Warwick 19th May 2016

2. Introduction Wellcome Trust • Established by Sir Henry Wellcomein 1936 • Funded from a private endowment (£73, 048)  • Current assets: £18billion • Spend more than £700million on grants per year • We fund health-related research, across the world. • Our interests range from science & translational research to the history of medicine & public engagement What we do:

3. Fellowships and Investigator Awards Senior Research Fellowship in Basic Biomedical Science Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Basic Sir Henry WellcomePostdoctoral Fellowship Principal Research Fellowship Basic & clinical PhD Investigator Award Senior Research Fellowship in Clinical Science Clinical Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship SENIOR INTERMEDIATE EARLY

4. Fellowships Basic Science Fellowships Long-term support for researchers of international standing with an established track record at the highest level Principal Research Fellowship Senior Research Fellowship Between 7-12 years post-doc (from the date of viva to the date of interview) Up to 7 years post-doc (from the date of viva to the date of interview) Sir Henry Dale Fellowship Up to 2 years post-doc (from the date of viva to the date of interview) Sir Henry WellcomePostdoctoral Fellowship

5. Fellowships Clinical Science Fellowships For outstanding clinical researchers to establish themselves as leading investigators in clinical academic medicine. Senior Research Fellowship in Clinical Science For clinicians who have completed or are about to complete a PhD and want to pursue a career as an independent clinical academic. Clinical training can be integrated into the fellowship. Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship

6. Grantsmanship Good grantsmanship is a valuable skill Poor grantsmanship can turn a good, well thought-through idea into an un-fundable grant proposal “Good writing will not save bad ideas, but bad writing can kill good ones” Jacob Kraicer, former Director of Research Grants at Human Frontier Science Program

7. Fellowships Fellowships - Assessment criteria Person • Track record • Vision of how the funding will contribute to career development • Long-term aspirations Project • Clear, concise and testable hypothesis • Can you design specific experiments that will directly test your hypothesis? Place • Sponsors/supervisors/collaborators • Research environment

8. Science Funding Slides The perfect fellowship application Person • Strong track record • Good basic knowledge of the research topic • Good independence (or potential for independence) • The right background for the proposed research (or will clearly be acquiring training during the award) • Meets eligibility criteria as described on website • Heavily involved in developing the proposal under the mentorship of a supervisor

9. Science Funding Slides The perfect fellowship application Project • A suitable trainingproject – exposes student/early stage post-doc to a range of techniques. • Feasibleand realistic timescale (can be ambitious if it has adequate contingency plans). • Clearly presented, preferably with preliminary data and power calculations if relevant. • Addresses an important question(novel and innovative) in an appropriate and efficient way. • Leads the researcher towards greater independence.

10. Science Funding Slides The perfect fellowship application Place • Solidtrack recordin the project field • The necessaryresources (equipment, expertise) to do the project • Current funding (can be a co-supervisor with someone more junior) • Has a history of good mentoring and the timeto devote to the awardee (starting with preparation of the proposal) • If you are not changing supervisorsin a higher level fellowship, you must justify this

11. Grantsmanship Who should be my…. • Sponsor: • An individual who is able to guarantee that space and resources will be made available for the project • Research sponsor/supervisor: • An individual who provides relevant scientific guidance and can guarantee space and resources • Is expected to have a strong track record in research and training • Mentor: • An individual who provides independent support and advice to enable the candidate to realise their full potential and help establish their career • Is expected to have a strong track record in research and be a senior figure normally outside the host laboratory

12. Grantsmanship Other Points to consider…. • Discuss your ideas with colleagues & look at successful proposals • Have you critiqued your proposal? • Cite appropriate studies (including conflicting • ones) • Title and Abstract of project isimportant! • descriptive, specific and reflecting the importance of your proposal • State specific aims • Check deadlines and allow time for admin office • Highlight any institutional support

13. Assessment Processes – Key Stages Interviewby committee with broad science expertise & in relation to career stage/path Expert Review Group - specialist scientific review & short-listing Main application Peer review preliminary application

14. Grantsmanship The Interview • Practice! There is no substitute for mock interviews • Know your application, be familiar with recent developments in the field and own the project • Be prepared to give a concise summary of your project and research career to date • Be prepared to defend the project

15. Key contacts – We are here to help! • Eligibility, application process or general queries about grants +44 (0)20 7611 5757 grantenquiries@wellcome.ac.uk • Content of project or proposal +44 (0)20 7611 5757 sciencegrants@wellcome.ac.uk • Online application system +44 (0)20 7611 8383 gtsupport@wellcome.ac.uk http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding

16. Science Funding Slides

17. Fellowships Basic Science Fellowship Schemes

18. Basic Science Fellowships Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowships • For the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers looking to start an independent research career • Encouraged to spend part of the award abroad • Up to 2 years post-doc at interview • £250,000 over 4 years for salary and research expenses • 93 current Fellows • Applications considered twice a year

19. Basic Science Fellowships Sir Henry Dale Fellowships • Jointly funded by the Royal Society & WT • Royal Society provides £55K/award • For outstanding postdoctoral scientists wishing to build their own independent research career addressing an important biomedical question • Up to 7 years postdoc at interview • 5 years support, potentially renewable for 3further years, for salary and research expenses • Applications considered three times a year

20. Basic Science Fellowships Senior Research Fellowships in Basic Biomedical Research • For scientists of exceptional ability to continue to build their successful, independent research programmes • Normally 7 - 12 years postdoc at interview • 5 years support, potentially renewable in partnership with the host institution • Full research costs supported (e.g. fellow’s salary, staff, equipment, consumables, field costs, animals) • Applications considered three times a year • Next preliminary application deadline: Sep 2015 (full application Nov 2015, interviews April 2016)

21. Investigator Awards • For world-class researchers and clinicians with a compelling long-term vision for their research • Employed in an established academic post salaried by host institution • Joint applicants with complementary expertise working closely together • Up to 7 years support, flexible package of funding up to £3million • Applications considered three times a year

22. Seed Awards Collaborative Awards • Flexible support to excellent groups of independent researchers with outstanding track records • Up to £4million up to 5 years for direct research expenses • Applications considered three times a year • Provide flexible funding to develop a novel idea in preparation for competitive, larger awards • Up to £100,000 up to 2 years for direct research expenses • Applications considered three times a year

23. Grantsmanship Budget • Realistic, appropriate and justified • Explain why an item of equipment is essential • Specify the unique and essential role that • requested personnel will play • Travel is usually added by the Trust