Research Awards and Fellowships

Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship 2023

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) is launching a number of Pre-Doctoral Fellowships. Applications are invited from trainees in Emergency Medicine (EM) from CT1 and above, as well as non-training middle grade clinicians and ANPs/ACPs who wish to develop academically. This scheme will fund 12-month Fellowships aimed at offering the holder protected research time which will be used primarily to develop proposals for a larger Doctoral Fellowship Award application (e.g. NIHR), which will be undertaken at a later date.

Fellowship time may also be used to conduct pilot research which will contribute to the proposal. This research can involve patients, samples or data from patients, people who are not patients, populations, health technology assessment and health services research. RCEM does not fund research work involving animals and/or animal tissue.

Potential applicants and their host organisations should note that the RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme is a personal award designed to contribute to an individual’s salary costs (the remainder being provided by the applicant’s supporting consortia) during the Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. The Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship (RCEM-DRF-Policy) is aimed at individuals of outstanding potential, early in their research careers. It aims to facilitate them through the early stages of a doctoral fellowship application process in an environment reflecting their individual talents and training needs. It is anticipated that successful applicants would aim to obtain funding for a doctoral fellowship within 2 years of completing the RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship.

Following completion of an RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, Fellows are expected to have successfully completed a robust research and training programme and be able to show evidence of:

• Completion of the research proposed in the application
• An outline plan for a PhD application
• Completion of a substantial and wide-ranging training element
• Increased research skills
• Publications arising from the Fellowship
• Involvement in collaborative research relationships

Evidence of the above will be sought through interim and final report monitoring.

Research projects undertaken as part of a RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship may be included on the NIHR portfolio. Local Research Design Service (RDS) https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/research-designservice.htm support should be available for all NIHR portfolio project research proposals.

Eligibility

1. Applicants for a RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship must be able to demonstrate that they have previous research experience. For example, a Masters level qualification would be an indicator of such experience (but is not essential).
2. Applicants must be medically qualified and either a trainee or holder of a substantive post in EM.
3. The RCEM Pre-Doctoral Fellowships are intended to fund individuals to undertake preliminary work and prepare an application for a PhD. Applicants who have already begun a programme of work to achieve a research doctorate are not eligible to apply.
4. Only one application to the RCEM Fellowship Scheme is permitted in each round. Multiple applications will not be accepted.

Scope

1. The Fellowships may be undertaken on a part-time basis for 1 year at 25-50% WTE. In rare cases there may be scope to spread the funding over 2 years duration. RCEM is not able to fund awards of any other duration or profile.
2. The RCEM award will contribute towards the applicant’s salary, including the employer’s contribution to National Insurance and superannuation (proportion funded 25-50%).
3. The RCEM award may also contribute up to £25,000 total over the duration of the award towards directly incurred costs, e.g.  postage and/or conference fees. A training & development programme appropriate for a Pre-Doctoral research fellowship may be included (proportion funded 100% – maximum £5k).
4. The direct funding for this fellowship cannot be used to fund computers, non-specialist office software, internet access, or open-source publication costs.

Application Procedure

Fellowships will be awarded based on open competition. Applications must be received by Mon 10 April 2023. Interviews will be held in late April 2023.

All documents must be submitted in English.

Fellowships should begin between April and September 2023 and cannot normally be deferred.

Timetable

27 February 2023 – Advert open
10 April 2023 – Closing date (17:00) for submissions
12 April 2023 (W/C) – Shortlisting by Panel
April 2023 – Interviews and decision to award (date TBC)
September 2023 – Latest date to begin award

Applicants are asked to keep interview dates available to attend for interview in London (although interviews may be held remotely as circumstance dictates).

Please follow either of the links below to obtain your application form.
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship 2023 Application form (word version)

Pre-Doctoral Fellowship 2023 Application Form (pdf version)

Closing date: 17:00, Monday 10 April 2023

Trainee Emergency Research Network (TERN) Fellowship

A new TERN Fellow was appointed in 2022. The application window for the next Fellowship will begin in early 2024.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) is launching the second round of the RCEM TERN Fellowship scheme. This scheme will fund 50% of the successful applicant’s time over a two year period subject to progress.

Applications are invited from trainees or clinical fellows in Emergency Medicine at ST3 level or equivalent who wish to develop this exciting project, with academic support and mentorship from the previous TERN fellow, college professors and the RCEM research committee.

TERN aims to improve research opportunity for all trainees, advanced practitioners and fellows in emergency medicine by facilitating multicentre research projects selected and designed by trainees. Such networks have been hugely successful in the allied specialties of anaesthesia, neurosurgery and general surgery leading to increased research awareness, improved academic training, co-authored publications and changes to clinical practice ^1-3. Network projects present a strong opportunity for both academic and non-academic trainees to engage with national research, thus maximising output and impact from non-clinical time.  Although still a relatively new network, TERN has already delivered several trainee conceived and designed national portfolio-adopted projects across over a hundred UK sites; successfully collaborated with Australasian colleagues to deliver an international headache project; secured NIHR partner funding for a 2022 research study on a JLA priority topic; and has published a number of articles on our work.

This fellowship scheme supports TERN through dedicated funding to support project development, co-ordination and delivery. Academic mentorship for the project and fellowship will be provided throughout the post by the RCEM Professors and local supervisors. Assistance with infrastructure, meeting rooms, communications and networking will be provided through use of the RCEM facilities and a modest dedicated budget line.

This scheme is an ideal opportunity for those who have a desire to engage with academic emergency medicine and consider development of a portfolio career. The role will offer significant exposure to project development and delivery, including liaison with research design services, ethics committees, research and development services and use of the IRAS platform. Previous research experience in these areas would be advantageous, but is not essential. Applicants could take up this role either on a Less than Full Time training basis, or as a dedicated and prearranged OOPFR placement.

Potential applicants and their host organisations should note that the RCEM TERN Fellowship Scheme is a personal award designed to contribute 50% of an individual’s base salary costs (the remainder being provided by the applicant’s supporting consortia).

Following completion of the Fellowship, the successful applicant is expected to have designed and delivered at least one clinical research study through the national TERN network, and significantly enhanced the visibility and co-ordination of TERN. Additional goals considered may include the following:

• Educational plan for raised awareness of academic opportunity and engagement options for emergency medicine trainees.
• Close working with RCEM learning to support development of the research page
• Development of stakeholder lists and Involvement in collaborative relationships
• Peer reviewed publication of completed projects arising from the fellowship, and presentation of key findings at RCEM meetings, e.g. the Annual Scientific Conference and Academic Trainees Day.
• Bespoke training plan including a potential higher research qualification such as a M.Sc program, Masters in Public Health or modular training in clinical trial design.

Evidence of the above will be sought through interim and final report monitoring. Support for formal research training will be considered during the fellowship in line with individual commitment and career trajectory.

Research projects undertaken as part of TERN will be included on the NIHR portfolio. Local Research Design Services (RDS) http://www.nihr.ac.uk/infrastructure  support all NIHR portfolio project research proposals. In addition, NIHR portfolio adoption will facilitate the engagement of clinical research nursing teams based in every hospital to assist with data collection, research governance and oversight.

Eligibility

1. Applicants for a TERN fellowship must be able to demonstrate that they have previous experience of project leadership and delivery.
2. Applicants should have experience of committee working, including organisation, identification and delivery of established objectives.
3. Applicants must be medically qualified and a trainee in Emergency medicine
4. TERN fellowships are intended to fund individuals for 50% dedicated project time alongside a clinical emergency medicine work program.  Applicants who will be receiving any external fellowship funding and/or participating in a programme of fellowship work from August 2022 to 2024 (medical doctorate, academic clinical lectureship, educational fellow, leadership fellow etc..) are not eligible to apply.
5. Only one application to the RCEM Fellowship Scheme is permitted in each round. Multiple applications will not be accepted.

Scope

1. The Fellowship is designed to be undertaken on a 50% part-time basis, alongside clinical work in higher specialist training, or as part of an OOPFR placement. The RCEM is not able to fund awards of any other duration or profile.
2. The RCEM award will contribute 50% base salary costs over a 2 year period. The award will not fund additional costs such as those occurring through reduced out of hours (OOH) work; it is envisaged that those applying will maintain OOH clinical work in order to continue receiving their full banding entitlement.
3. The Fellowship does not include, or pay for, any activities other than the salary costs covering research, academic training and travel expenses proposed in a successful application. All clinical study leave, professional leave and additional expenses will fall within the remit of the employing host organisation or deanery.

1. It is an expectation that RCEM awards will be on the NIHR portfolio and thus eligible for CRN infrastructure and nursing support. This eligibility will also facilitate access to advanced research training at the discretion of the applicant and supervisor.

Application Procedure

The next application window will begin in early 2024.

References:

1. Chari A, Jamjoom AA, Edlmann E, et al. The British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative: Five years on. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2018; 160(1): 23-8.
2. Jamjoom AA, Phan PN, Hutchinson PJ, Kolias AG. Surgical trainee research collaboratives in the UK: an observational study of research activity and publication productivity. BMJ Open 2016; 6(2): e010374.
3. Kolias AG, Cowie CJ, Tarnaris A, Hutchinson PJ, Brennan PM, British Neurosurgical Trainee Research C. Ensuring a bright future for clinical research in surgery with trainee led research networks. BMJ 2013; 347: f5225.

(i) Essential Criteria

• Desirable Criteria

 * A letter signed by the applicant’s Educational Supervisor and local training program director should be provided in support of these criteria where relevant.

RCEM/NIHR Clinical Research Network Associate Professor Scheme

Role Description

The RCEM/NIHR Clinical Research Network Associate Professor scheme is aimed at recognising and supporting NHS clinicians who are delivering high quality research at a level which is broadly comparable with an academic clinical senior lecturer.

Key elements of the scheme led by the College in partnership with NIHR CRN include:

• The scheme is advertised nationally and RCEM/NIHR CRN Associate Professor (or similar) title awarded jointly by the College and NIHR CRN for an initial period of three years, to NHS clinicians or clinical academics by a panel comprising College and NIHR CRN representatives.
• Successful applicants will be provided with mentorship and support through the College and NIHR, including access to academic methodological support in trials and applied health, and dedicated development workshops.
• The scheme has been running since 2018, when the first four appointments were made.

Person specification:

• Clinicians from throughout the UK who are RCEM members or fellows are eligible to apply. For those from the devolved nations, engagement with the NIHR should be demonstrated; for example, conduct of an NIHR CRN portfolio study, involvement as a Co-Investigator on an NIHR grant or membership of an NIHR committee (including the CRN Trauma and Emergency Care Specialty Group). Formal confirmation of support for the application from the applicant’s employer and, where appropriate, local CRN Clinical Director is required.
• Applicants are required to demonstrate excellence in research and leadership. The academic level required is broadly similar to that for a University senior lecturer / associate professor. The research element should be evidenced by papers, links to grants, and involvement in strategically important research programmes including delivery of NIHR Clinical Research Network studies and involvement with other elements of NIHR infrastructure or equivalent in the devolved nations. Leadership should be evidenced by, for example, developing emergency medicine research teams locally, involvement with the Royal College, NIHR, NICE, and/or specialty society.
• Demonstrating funding for protected research time is required at the time of application. We note that potential applicants may already have time funded via a variety of NIHR research infrastructure and other programmes, including, for example, NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care and the Clinical Research Network and NRS Fellowships, local Charitable Trust funds or industry income. The minimum time required is 1PA of protected time for a minimum period of three years.
• Applicants must set out how they plan to use their 3-year tenure to contribute to the work of RCEM and the NIHR Clinical Research Network, through (a) delivery of NIHR CRN research, and (b) building research activity and capacity in Emergency Medicine.

Role description

• The award holder is expected to act as an ambassador for RCEM and the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
• The award holder must contribute to the delivery of NIHR CRN research and to the goals of RCEM to increase research capacity and activity within the specialty of Emergency Medicine.
• Specific objectives for award holders will be set out upon appointment after agreement with representatives of RCEM and the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
• A set of performance metrics, tailored to the agreed objectives for each post holder, will be developed to ensure progress is monitored and supported. These metrics will form part of a review process.

The application form is here. Applications close at 5pm, 12 December 2022.

Any queries please contact theo.chiles@rcem.ac.uk