Call of Application
Open Applications
The fellowship Preparedness Scheme
(up to £85,000)
Are you an early career researcher (ECR) or mid-career researcher (MCR) in Malawi?
The Discovery Research Support Hub (drsh) is here to empower you on your journey to research independence!
Program Overview: The drsh is a Wellcome-funded initiative designed to support ECRs and MCRs in developing competitive grant applications for Wellcome's Discovery research schemes and other relevant fellowships tailored for lower-middle-income countries. Our program offers a structured approach to enhance your research capabilities and application skills.
Program Aim: Our primary goal is to enable researchers like you to prepare exceptional applications for prestigious fellowships, ensuring that you have the necessary resources and support to succeed.
Eligibility: This program is open to:
- Early Career Researchers (ECRs)- 2 to 4 years post PhD
- Mid-Career Researchers (MCRs) – 5 to 10 Years Post PhD
For more information go to Eligibility on the site
What the Scheme Entails:
- Fellowship Preparedness Scheme: Up to £85,000 available for high-potential candidates.
- Duration: The program lasts between 12 to 18 months, providing dedicated research time to develop your application.
- Support: Access to mentorship, resources, and training tailored to your specific needs.
Application documents and process
- Application form
- A detailed CV
- One page concept document outlining applicants research or project idea
- Copies of notarized qualifications
- Personal statement or cover letter linked to the call (address how your skills and experience align with the opportunity)- max 500 words
Review Process
Important Timelines
- Application Deadline: 30th May 2025 Information Webinar: Join us on Monday 19th May 2025 to learn more about the program and how to apply. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get insights directly from our team. Register with the Link
Targeted Support Scheme
Targeted Support Programme outline
This is a targeted scheme support tailor-made for candidates who are preparing a specific application or have already been shortlisted for a specific scheme. We seek to provide targeted support to improve the quality of the application and the success rates following submission. Timetables of activities will be based on the submission timetables of key target schemes. There is flexibility for those candidates whose need include support that may be best suited to discipline-centered rather than scheme-centered support
Eligibility
- Candidates must be working on a specific application or must have already been shortlisted for a specific scheme.
- Early Career Researchers (ECRs)- 2 to 5 years post PhD
- Mid-Career Researchers (MCRs) – 5 to 10 Years Post PhD
For more information go to Eligibility on the site
The programme includes:
- Scheme Specific mentorship groups: Researchers aiming for a specific call will be supported within a cohort, providing a mentorship group with a programme tailored to that scheme.
- Webinars: Access to expert-led webinars focusing on grants management, budgeting, and financial accountability to strengthen participants understanding and skills in these critical areas
- Fellowship writing bootcamps: Intensive workshops where applicants can bring drafts applications and be supported in grantsmanship and honing the presentation on their research concept
- Pre-fellowship knowledge and networking events: informal and inclusive events with presentations, providing advice and support from successful candidates, input from funders and college of experts (successful role models and scientists with experience of similar awards)
- Flexible seed grants (up to $10,000) to applicants from target countries: To support researchers with special circumstances that cold impact their career progression or travel support (offered through open competition
- Interview preparations: Candidates shortlisted for fellowship interview will be provided with interview practice with an expert panel from our college of experts, including feedback on the draft presentations and opportunities to answer questions from the panel.
- Peer review: Quick turn around and constructive feedback of applications through College of experts Read more
Application documents and process:
- Application form
- A detailed CV.
- Copies of notarized qualifications
- One page concept document including title, introduction/objectives, methodology, and budget,
- Letter of intent of no more than 500 words, explaining why you are applying for the targeted scheme and what your intended outputs are.
- Details of specific shortlisted scheme or application being prepared for, including expected submission dates.
Review Process
- The review process will take 4 weeks
- All applications received will be acknowledged.
- Those being considered or declined will be informed 2 weeks after acknowledgement notification.
- Accepted candidates will be informed another 2 weeks after and will be scheduled for an initial needs assessment appointment (appointment can be in person or online)
Important Timelines:
- Application Deadline: deadline dependent on candidates’ specific application scheme.
