The Research Environment Tim Skerry Professor of Orthopaedic

The Research Environment Tim Skerry Professor of Orthopaedic Biology

Register as an URMS user 2 Days Flag intensions Collate Costings info (Field lab/equipment quotes) 2 -3 Weeks Prepare Draft Application (in conjunction with PI) 5 Days Submit URMS Form for Authorisation Receive Feedback Revise Application Taking into account comments Complete Application - include costing information from Research Office Obtain School Authorisation - from Head or Deputy Head of your Section Obtain University Authorisation - from Research Office Submit Application to funding body 5 Days URMS Form is sent to the RO for approval Send Draft Application with Request for Internal Review to the Grant Board 5 Days Send to your Section’s Finance Leader 3 -5 Days 3 Months Complete URMS Form 3 Weeks Even before starting the application you should discuss your intensions with the Grant Board on med-grantboard@sheffield. ac. uk ideally 3 months in advance of the submission deadline

The Research Environment • Science as a career • What do you need? • Getting started on a fellowship • What do funders want • The application process • The internal review process

Science as a career Post Doctoral Training (2 -5 yr) Lecturer Fellow Experimental Officer Clinical Scientist Biotech/Pharma Scientist Funding agencies Senior Lecturer/Reader Senior Fellow Senior Experimental Officer Senior Clinical Scientist Senior Scientist Technology transfer Group leader Patenting and legal Professor Principal Fellow Principal Experimental Officer Consultant Clinical Scientist

What do you need? • Passion for Science and research - Enthusiasm shows through - Science is not an easy career • Clear focused research ideas - in a topical/fundable area - distinct from your host lab/PIs • Advice - and willingness to take it • Many people can help you - They probably know what they are talking about 5

Getting Started • Engage with your PI - Or find a sponsor who you can engage • Determine the type of support available - For you at your stage/experience - For your research ideas • Do you fit the call? - Engage with the funders - be pro-active - Change funders or change your fit • Seek help from instutution - Science review process: Med-Grant. Board@sheffield. ac. uk - Costings process: more later - Debra Mc. Clean 6

What do funders want? Successful fellows CPD courses available • Future group leaders • Personal Effectiveness • Clear explanation of your Science • Advanced Presentation Skills • • • Delivery of commitments • Writing up your research for publication Future success • • Writing a successful grant application High quality output High reputation with supporters Science that changes practice Research ethics and governance Public awareness and communication Enterprise and commercial awareness 7

The application: Selling your science • Is this a strong research idea? • What do you want to do? - Are you testing an hypothesis? - Be precise, specific and realistic • Why should funders believe you? - Preliminary data - Compelling argument for your research into this problem - Consistency • Do you have the skills/credibility or collaborate! • Overambitious claims are not good Support: • Workshop: “Writing a successful research grant” (Tim Skerry) 8

The application process: Selling yourself • Previous posts - pro-active or responsive? • Develop your experience/networks - Visit other labs - Talk to other scientists at meeting and ASK QUESTIONS • Develop your publication profile - Are you first author? - Write up research effectively • Develop grant portfolio - Travel grants/pump-priming grants - Named researcher on project grants • Evidence of external recognition - Talks at meetings - Awards • Public engagement - Outreach activities: Science week Support: • “Marketing yourself effectively workshop” (Careers Service) • Dr Sarah Langridge holds 1 to 1 clinics (just ask) 9

The internal review process • Internal review system: the Grant Board - Before writing the application - Ideally >2 months before submission - Time for more pilot data if essential • Mentoring through application - Most first drafts are flawed - ALL grants improve during internal review • Mock panel interviews held within the School - Presentation skills and clear informative slides - Rehearse and GET THE TIMING RIGHT 10

Register as an URMS user 2 Days Flag intensions Collate Costings info (Field lab/equipment quotes) 2 -3 Weeks Prepare Draft Application (in conjunction with PI) 5 Days Submit URMS Form for Authorisation Receive Feedback Revise Application Taking into account comments Complete Application - include costing information from Research Office Obtain School Authorisation - from Head or Deputy Head of your Section Obtain University Authorisation - from Research Office Submit Application to funding body 5 Days URMS Form is sent to the RO for approval Send Draft Application with Request for Internal Review to the Grant Board 5 Days Send to your Section’s Finance Leader 3 -5 Days 3 Months Complete URMS Form 3 Weeks Even before starting the application you should discuss your intensions with the Grant Board on med-grantboard@sheffield. ac. uk ideally 3 months in advance of the submission deadline

Don’t be put off • All scientists have grants rejected • Science is highly competitive but……. • Funders want to support fellowships • A fellowship may be the start of a long-term relationship 12