Fellowship Writing

Fellowship Writing Luc Teyton, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Immunology and Microbial Science lteyton@scripps.edu

Overall Considerations • Be prepared, no last minute itch • Two months head start • Get the administrative part out of the way first • Read the instructions • You are not doing it for the money but money is • at stake and 3 parties are involved: • TSRI • Your supervisor • You

The Administrative Trail • The Foundation/Organization • Supervisor • Chairman’s Office • TSRI Administration

The Foundation/Organization • Are you eligible? • Read all the instructions • Any question? Call

Your Supervisor • Before you start anything, you need to sit down and • discuss: • The opportunity/the chances of… • The financial aspects • Fellowship itself • Benefits (who is paying what) • Laboratory work

TSRI Administration • Animal protocol (4-6 weeks) • Human subjects (2 to 8 weeks) • Standard review process (RACO)

RACO All actions (including, but not limited to applications, requests for support, grants, contracts, awards, research, fellowships, competing and non-competing, etc.) taken by TSRI Faculty and their staff that may result in resources coming to, flowing through, or associated with, TSRI are subject to compliance review. These actions go through the RACO review process regardless of whether or not: 1. The applicant is currently at TSRI, 2. A budget is required, 3. Institutional signature is required, 4. The funding source is domestic or foreign, 5. The funding is research or training, 6. the funds flow to or through TSRI, or 7. Any other variations to the above.

Why? • TSRI is the Recipient and • Administrator of your fellowship • As such they bear the liability associated • to your research and they will guarantee • compliance with animal research and • human subject guidelines. • They will also verify the financial aspects • of the application

What is needed for RACO? • Everything but the Science • Title and abstract only

Recommendations • Do the administration ASAP • Talk to your AA • Do not take offence if part or all • of the application comes back • for modifications

Review process Criteria for Review 1. Candidate 2. Research environment 3. Potential for training 4. Scientific merit

The Candidate • Potential to become productive independent scientist • Previous research • Past productivity – quality over quantity • Evidence of commitment to career in research • Personal statement • Reference letters

Sponsor and Training Environment • Research expertise • Prior experience as mentor • Funding for project • Laboratory environment • Plan for mentorship • Has he reviewed the application?

Research Proposal • Scientific merit • Training potential • Contributions of candidate and sponsor • 2-3 specific aims • Realistic, with a realistic timetable • -can strengthen by omission!! • Preliminary data helpful • - critical if have already been in the lab

Training Potential • Preparation for an independent career • Must augment conceptual and/or • experimental skills • “Key aspect of review”

Scoring and Selection 1.0 Very rare, the goal 1.2 Outstanding, see 1 or 2 per round 1.4 Outstanding, 1.6 Excellent, no major weaknesses 1.8 Excellent, minor weaknesses that detract 2.0 Very good, some significant flaws 2.2 Very good, some significant flaws 2.4 Better than average, resubmit 2.6 Needs significant improvement 2.8 Needs significant improvement 3.0 “Average” >3 Below average, don’t want to see it again

10 Common mistakes 1- non eligible 2- overambitious 3- flawed concept 4- technical impossibilities 5- poor writing 6- presentation/flow 7- junior fellow/senior fellowship 8- senior fellow/junior fellowship 9- timing - publications 10- why the hell did they apply? Any combination of 1-9

Fellowship Writing