Early Career Advancement Fellowships Programme (United Kingdom)

An Early Career Advancement Fellowship is designed to enable the most talented early career blood cancer researchers, who have already obtained a PhD, and undertaken further research as a postdoc or equivalent, to transition towards independence as a researcher.

Funding Information

• Fellowships will be awarded for up to three years full time or five years part time and will be for a maximum of £350,000.
• The duration of the project/study in months. The maximum duration is 36 months full time or 60 months part time.

Programme Activities

• Successful candidates will need to show that during their fellowship they will be undertaking a programme of career development activities and training alongside their research project including:
  • working towards establishing their own research groups and developing the required leadership skills.
  • applying for further research funding as a PI and/ or preparing to apply for more senior fellowships to support the next stage of their development after this award.
  • developing their research networks and engaging in the wider blood cancer research ecosystem.
  • building skills and experience in patient involvement.

Eligibility Criteria

• In this scheme, they encourage applications from:
  • Outstanding early career researchers who are dedicated to pursuing a career in Blood Cancer research, and who are aiming to transition towards independence with the support of this fellowship.
  • Candidates who have had up to a maximum of six years full time equivalent active research experience since gaining their PhD. Allowances will be made for career breaks, covid impacts and clinical activity
  • Candidates from either non-clinical or clinical backgrounds. For clinical applicants candidates can remain clinically active for up to a maximum of 50% FTE. Salary requests can include the %FTE spent on the fellowship project, and they will ask you to include confirmation of clinical employment from the funder of the remainder of your salary.
  • Candidates based at a UK university, hospital trust, or other recognised academic research institution in the UK who are able to sign up to Blood Cancer UK’s Terms and Conditions. They are unable to fund fellows based in industry.
  • The fellowship candidate should be the lead applicant, but the application should include a named supervisor at the host institution who will be asked to provide a letter of support. The letter should outline how the institution and supervisor will support the fellow throughout the fellowship, including a commitment to the research project, resourcing, and fellows career development.

Assessment Criteria

• Assessment criteria used to make shortlisting and funding decisions will include:
  • Candidate: Has the candidate got the background, career aspirations and potential to successfully transition to independence and to establish a career as a leading Blood Cancer researcher.
  • Environment and supervision: Are the Host Institution, Supervisor(s), CoInvestigators, Collaborators and Mentors suitable and appropriate for the effective delivery of this Fellowship and supporting the successful career development of the fellow.
  • Training: Will the proposed research project and wider career development programme provide the candidate with all the necessary training and skills for the successful development of an independent career in blood cancer research.
  • Proposed project: How relevant and timely is this research for people affected by blood cancer? Is there a clear unmet need that is being addressed. Is it duplicative of previous or current research? Is the research proposal clear and feasible with focused aims and objectives, underpinned by strong scientific design and reasoning? Is there an appropriate plan to reach the stated aims and objectives? Are the requested costs justified? Is any proposed inclusion of animal research or clinical studies justified and appropriate? Is there an appropriate level of patient and public involvement?

For more information, visit Blood Cancer UK.