Writing Successful Fellowship Applications 2024

For many early career researchers, writing a fellowship application will be their first experience with the highly competitive scientific funding system. This comprehensive course will guide students and early postdoctoral scholars through the fellowship application process and enhance their chances of success. Furthermore, this course will expose participants to the application processes of some of the most prestigious international fellowship application formats, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie, EMBO, and Human Frontier Science Program postdoctoral programs. 

The course comprises four sessions over three half days: 

• Selecting and contacting a host lab. How to introduce yourself effectively and approach a potential supervisor. Analysing a potential supervisor’s track record as a researcher and as a mentor. 
• How to apply to your fellowship. The course covers often neglected formal aspects of fellowship calls (scope, instructions, documentation, formatting) and supporting materials (impact statements, DEI statements, communications plans, etc), as well as selection procedures. 
• Scientific project writing: Participants workshop on the basic structure of a scientific project and how to present their scientific goals and their importance in a clear and concise manner. 
• Post-decision steps. How to evaluate competing offers, weighing benefits and restrictions of different fellowship formats. How (and if) to engage in the appeals process. 

Course participants write mock applications and supervisor contact letters before the course, and these provide the basis for the course workshop sessions. After the course, students submit revised versions of these texts to receive individualized feedback on their progress. 

Topics that are going to be addressed:  

• How to identify the right mentor/host laboratory for you. 
• How to approach your future mentor (introductory email). 
• How to choose the right fellowship for you. 
• Understanding the eligibility rules and the selection process. 
• Understanding the application process and the information required. 
• How to write a scientific project proposal. 
• Post-decision steps and important aspects beyond the fellowship. 

What NOT to expect:

• We cannot promise success in every application, as that depends on factors beyond our control. 

Program: 

Day 1 (10:00 to 14:00, break at 12:00):
How to identify your future mentor, introductory email workshop. 
Day 2 (10:00 to 14:00, break at 12:00):
Scope of the funding organization, eligibility rules, selection processes, application process. 
Day 3 (10:00 to 14:00, break at 12:00):
Application process, scientific project workshop, post-decision steps and important aspects beyond the fellowship. 
 
Instructors: David del Álamo and Thiago Carvalho 

Dates and hour: 14th, 16th and 17th May (10:00 to 14:00h)
 
Location: Online 

Level: Beginners (PhD students/early postdocs) 

Registration deadline: 28th April 2024

Registration HERE

For any information, please send an email to CRG Training and Academic office (TAO): training@crg.eu