Sparks is keen to encourage research applications which provide a training opportunity for individuals who wish to develop a long term career in academic medicine.

Sparks clinical research training fellowships scheme

It is intended that Sparks will award two or more prestigious clinical research training fellowships annually. We encourage applications from nursing or professions allied to medicine and therefore, subject to the quality of applicants, will allocate one fellowship from within this discipline.

Sparks clinical research fellowship scheme is for individuals who wish to develop a long-term career in academic clinical research and who wish to undertake substantial research training in an appropriate high quality setting with the prospect of gaining a higher qualification. A Sparks fellowship will differ from other training schemes in that it takes the form of a project grant, within Sparks remit,  of up to three years in length with a clearly definable subject area and outcome during which time the fellow will be under the supervision of a recognised clinical research leader.

Supervisors and candidates should discuss and agree the overall project and training programme to ensure that it provides an adequate framework to enable the candidate to pursue a leading academic career post training.

Funding Guidelines

Our support is for fellowships of 2-3 years duration and covers salary costs for the fellow, consumable expenses and an allowance for travel to attend scientific meetings. The fellowships may be held at any recognised UK university, hospital or research institution in the UK. The Host Institution must be able to provide facilities and equipment as expected within a high quality research environment.  Candidates are expected to undertake a clinical research project within Sparks’ normal remit that balances the opportunity to advance the objects of the charity and at the same time provide a suitable training opportunity for the candidate. It is expected that the candidate will register for a higher degree (PhD/MD).

Eligibility

Training fellowships are designed for UK-based individuals at the early stages of a research career. Candidates should have a minimum 36 months post-graduate experience following their first clinical (or equivalent) qualification and should have completed general professional training as defined by the relevant college. Supervisors must have a tenured position within the host institution covering the period of the award and are expected to have a sustained track record of successful grant awards and student supervision.

Please note that Sparks will not fund:

• Course fees
• Grants towards service provision or audit studies
• Grants for work undertaken outside the UK
• Grants towards ‘top up’ funding for work supported by other funding bodies
• Grants to other charities
• Indirect or administrative costs
• Application Process

Application Process

Prior to submitting a full application, all applicants are required to complete an outline application form.

2012 Grant Round

Sparks is no longer accepting outline applications for our current clinical research training fellowships grant scheme for award in June 2012.

Completed outlines and any queries should be sent to:

Dr Kirti Patel
Medical Research Manager
Email: kirti@sparks.org.uk
Tel: 020 7091 7750

Timeline

The deadline for submission of outlines is 4pm 11 November 2011

Successful applicants will be sent a full application w/c 5 December 2011

The deadline for receipt of full applications will be 4pm 27 January 2012

Interviews will be held in May/early June 2012

Fellowships will be awarded in June 2012

Download Sparks Research Training Fellowship Guidelines

Download Sparks Research Training Fellowship Outline Application Form

Download Sparks Research Training Fellowship Terms and Conditions 2011

Peer Review Process

Full applications are assessed by peer review, firstly by independent external referees and then by the Sparks Medical Advisory Committee. Reviewers will be requested to assess:  Career to date (Fellow), the scientific merit of the proposed project, and the suitability/track record of your supervisor and host institution. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview.

Sparks is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) – a membership organisation of the leading medical and health research charities in the UK. www.amrc.org.uk.

Sparks holds an AMRC Certificate of Best Practice in Medical Research and Health Research Peer Review.*

* This signifies that SPARKS is demonstrating best practice in Medical and Health Research peer review as audited by AMRC in 2011.