Support for Fellowships in NHLI
Fellowship applications require steps which are specific to the application process to provide candidates with the greatest chance of success.
Our priority is to ensure that individuals who wish to apply for fellowships are advised about their objective chances of succeeding and coached to produce the best possible applications. Members of the NHLI faculty and support teams will act as critical friends to applicants, providing both advice and honest, constructive criticism to help them assess the suitability of their CV, improve their proposal, challenge their ideas, clarify their goals, and act as a catalyst for positive change and deeper reflection rather than just being a cheerleader or a harsh judge.
The process outlined below is being put in place to ensure that all fellows receive the same level of support, regardless of whether they are internal or external applicants.
For some schemes (for example, where insufficient lead time is available), this guidance should be adapted accordingly.
- Applicants should engage with and have agreement from a potential supervisor/sponsor (either current supervisor or new, depending on the nature of the project and the requirements of the scheme). These discussions should be held well in advance of the deadline.
- Supervisors/sponsors are expected to provide their full support to candidates, ensuring that they provide a ‘sounding board’ for the applicant, undertake a comprehensive review of their proposals as they develop them, provide space for them, and provide relevant statements of support, etc.
- Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with the NHLI Research Manager (Alun Owen) at an early stage to develop plans for applications, consider other options and be provided with guidance on the process.
- Applicants should submit their CV together with a 1-page outline on the research proposal (highlighting the research question, the why, how, and why me) for consideration by the NHLI Research and Fellowships Committee around 9-12 months before the deadline of the fellowship scheme. The Committee will provide supportive, but critical, feedback and highlight areas for improvement. Documentation should be sent to Alun Owen.
- In addition, applicants should ensure that they present their research proposal to the NHLI Research and Fellowship Committee, in a section seminar, a section research project review panel or other relevant groups around 6 months before the application deadline. This is an ideal opportunity to receive feedback on their more mature proposal and to discuss how to improve it, who else to discuss it with, identify potential collaborators, etc.
- If required, a mentor will be assigned during the writing stage of the fellowship who will provide support in addition to the sponsor. This individual will be agreed upon between the applicant, the sponsor, the Chair of the NHLI Research and Fellowships Committee, and the Chair(s) of the NHLI People and Culture Committee.
- In line with existing NHLI requirements, full and comprehensive reviews will be required for fellowship submissions. Reviewers will be agreed between the applicant, with input from the sponsor, the mentor, and the Chair of the NHLI Research and Fellowships Committee. Reviewers should be approached and agree to review the proposal at an early stage of its development. The applicant should inform them of the submission deadline and the date they will receive the draft proposal. Repeated review is encouraged, i.e., a review of an early draft proposal followed by a review of the complete application, in which all previous feedback has been taken into account.
- Proposals should be at the full draft stage no less than 2 months before the application deadline for final feedback from agreed reviewers.
- If shortlisted for interview, mocks will be arranged through the NHLI Research and Fellowships Committee, or other appropriate group, which will include the mentor/sponsor, and supplemented with individuals with specific expertise as required.
Finding Fellowships
The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) maintains excellent resources for finding potential opportunities: