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Fellowship Applications: my experience of the process

Fellowship Applications: my experience of the process. Dr Darren Graham EPSRC Career Acceleration Fellow School of Physics & Astronomy. My career path. PhD in Physics in 2005 - The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)

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Fellowship Applications: my experience of the process

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  1. Fellowship Applications: my experience of the process Dr Darren Graham EPSRC Career Acceleration FellowSchool of Physics & Astronomy

  2. My career path • PhD in Physics in 2005 - The University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) • 1st PRDA (2005-2008) - STFC Daresbury Laboratory • 2nd PRDA (2008-2011) – University of Manchester • Started EPSRC Career Acceleration Fellowship Sept. 2011

  3. The start of the process… • Isn’t writing the proposal or even coming up with the research idea • Started developing my own independent research career during my 2nd PDRA contract • Took control of my own career development – started to develop my CV • Important to do more than just excellent research!

  4. “Science at Work” event Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, Widnes – June 2010 Catalyst is an interactive science centre and museum devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in every day life www.catalyst.org.uk • Ran a range of interactive exhibits • Aim - introduce school children to careers in science • Event attended by 171 pupils

  5. Solar energy family fun day • At the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, August 2010 www.mosi.org.uk Addressed science behind harvesting solar energy with activities including: demonstrations of the latest solar technologies, hydrogen-powered model racing cars and even a giant solar marshmallow cooker • Team of 15 PhD students and staff • Funded by a £1000 IOP Public Engagement Grant

  6. Grants PDRAs can apply for… • In 2009, awarded a 2 year, £6 k British Council Grant • In early 2011, £7 k Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Small Grant • Started to learn about the University procedures • Role of Research Support Services

  7. Research Support Services: role • Research Support Services team covers 3 schools • Based in Chemistry Room 4.20 www.staffnet.eps.manchester.ac.uk/academicservices/research/ • Can provide copies of successful grant applications • Prepare and enter costs for applications • Advice on: • funder’s terms and conditions, guidance, eligibility criteria • funders’ submission systems

  8. Submission systems, e.g. Je-S

  9. The Funding Scheme • EPSRC ‘early career’ scheme • EPSRC scheme consisted of several stages over 12 months – outline proposal, full proposal, interview • New EPSRC fellowships • From April 2013 biannual process • Single ‘EPSRC Fellowship’ scheme for three career stages, postdoctoral, early career and established career • no EPSRC deadlines, rolling programme but EPSRC will prioritise fellowships in January/February and July www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/fellows/Pages/fellowships.aspx

  10. The big idea • Ideas evolved from my independent research grants • The issue was choosing the right idea • This is where you need support – I discussed various research projects with five different academics across three different Schools • You also need mentoring through the application process

  11. My Fellowship Application Year Outline Proposal – 4pm 11th August 2010 Invited to submit full proposal – end Nov. 2010 Reviewer Reports – April 2011 Funder decision made – July 2011 Full Proposal – 27th Jan. 2011 Interview – June 2011 RS URF application –Sept. 2010 STFC AF application –Oct. 2010 Mock interview Proposal development – start at least 2-3 months before deadline 2 months to write the full proposal Fellowship Awarded • Full Proposal • Details, details, details….. • Deal with “every” point in the guidance document • Get feedback on the full proposal • Reviewer Reports • They are not all good! • Deal with every point raised • Outline Proposal • Case for Support - attention to detail • Host Organisation Statement - evidence of support • CV - don’t be overly modest • Publications List - help the reader • Interview • Technical questions are the easy ones • Lists of questions exist • Stand out from the crowd • Show ambition, dedication, planning

  12. Example Interview Questions • What happens if you don’t achieve your goals? • How will you achieve excellence? • How will you know when you have achieved excellence? • How will you manage the project? • What (if any) are the foreseeable problems in managing the project? • How big will your group be in 5 years time/at the end of the fellowship?

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