How to write successful fellowship applications

How to write successful fellowship applications

Dr Liz Elvidge, Head, Postdoc Development Centre

Check the criteria!

• Every fellowship scheme is different

• The schemes have very clear criteria

• If you are not sure- contact them

• Keep a copy of the criteria and keep checking against it

Read the instructions

• Follow the instructions eg, page limits, font size, word limits

• Do not break the rules eg. Ask for more money than is available, fail to fill out all the sections

• Do not bend the rules eg PI to sponsor

• Submit after the deadline

People, project, place

• Remember the 3 ps

• Are you the best person to do this project?

• Is the project exciting, original, has impact, risky?

• Why Imperial? Is the lab already crowded?

Put aside plenty of time

• Applications take a long time eg. JRF- advertised for over 3 months

• Start early

• Talk to HoD, possible sponsor, research services, PI

• Submit it the day before the deadline in case of IT problems

Get expert advice and feedback

• Imperial has lots of fellows, panel members and discipline experts

• Get feedback from a range of people eg Academic, PI, professionals

• Listen to the feedback but remember it is your application

Think of your audience

• Fellowship applications are reviewed by very busy people

• Write clearly, succinctly

• Lay summary will be read by everyone- make it non-technical

• Write confidently but don’t lie!

Avoidable mistakes

• Spelling mistakes

• Colour diagrams which are too small or rely on colour for interpretation

• Not answering the questions

• Not being clear how the fellowship will progress your career

Feedback from funders

• Project unrealistic or poorly thought-through

• Independence not clear - just more of what your PI is currently doing

• Insufficient first author papers

• Low impact journals

Feedback from funders

• Clear title & objectives

• Make summary understandable

• Make proposal as easy to read as possible!

• Limit technical jargon where possible

• Explain acronyms on first usage

Feedback from funders: interviews• Read invitation carefully

Time & Location – arrive early Presentation format & content Panel membership Practice presentation and interview

• Predict likely questions- look at assessment criteria

• Be aware of wider context of your research

• Ask current/past fellows for advice

Interviews

• You *must* have a mock interview- your competition will

• Identify the weakest part and be able to answer the questions

• Dress smartly

• Do lots of preparation

How to write successful fellowship applications

Dr Liz Elvidge, Head, Postdoc Development Centre