University Awards for Research Technologists or Analysts
SCHEME TO BE DISCONTINUED

Purpose

Important changes are being made to the Trust’s biomedical science grant programmes, which will affect this scheme.

This scheme allows universities to attract strategically important research technologists or analysts who would normally be expected to work in association with a group or department that is in receipt of substantial Wellcome Trust funding.

Up to five years' support is provided, after which time the recipient takes up a post in the institution, which is guaranteed for at least a further five years.

Please note the scheme is not intended to support staff who run or manage equipment, services or core facilities.

What's included

Up to five years' support is provided, after which time the recipient takes up a post in the institution where the research has been conducted. This post must be guaranteed for at least a further five years.

Substantial running costs and equipment will not normally be provided in association with this award as it is expected that these should already be in place or be provided by the institution. Travel expenses to attend meetings are provided.

Institutional contribution

We require the university to make a 25 per cent contribution to the candidate's salary over the five-year period of the award.

If the institution wishes to insist that the final commitment to take over funding the University Award holder for five years at the end of the Trust's grant is contingent upon a progress review, we should be involved in this review. During any such review, we would wish to be able to compare any decision not to take over the salary of an individual funded by us under the University Award scheme with decisions being taken on renewal or termination of the salary of other members of academic staff of the same institution.

Eligibility

You should be an experienced technologist or analyst with a strong track record in providing technological or analytical expertise. Normally, you would be expected to work in a group or department that is in receipt of substantial Trust funding.

Please note that a PhD may not be necessary.

You should be responsible for developing the use of either specialised experimental techniques or equipment, or analytical methods such as statistical or computing skills to support the active, successful biomedical research programme(s) in your host department.

You must be nominated by your head of department and have an undertaking from the head of the institution, vice-chancellor or dean that your personal support will be taken over by the institution at the end of the Trust's grant for a period of at least five years. Support is available at all levels.

Application process

You must be nominated by your head of department.

Preliminary applications should be submitted by email only to the appropriate stream inbox (see ‘Contacts’) and include:

• a brief CV and a full publication list demonstrating your role as a research technologist or analyst
• the names of researchers in the department with whom you will collaborate, together with specific details of the experimental techniques, technology or analytical methods that will be developed to enhance the joint research projects
• information on the existing funding (Trust or otherwise) for biomedical research held in the laboratory or department in which you will work (information should be included regarding the project or programme grant support held in the department, and the research funder and duration of support should be provided for all grants listed)
• a letter of support from the head of department, providing details of why your appointment would be strategically important to the university. (Letters should be scanned and attached as a PDF).
• a letter from the head of the institution, vice-chancellor or dean guaranteeing that the institute will pay 25 per cent of your salary over the five year award and that, subject to satisfactory progress, you will be retained in post for at least a further five years. (Letters should be scanned and attached as a PDF).
• approximate costs of the proposal, broken down into your salary, equipment and running costs (please note the details of the research support provided above)
• information on the equipment or running costs to be provided by the host university.

Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

See ‘Deadlines’ for details of final closing dates.

Applicants will be given the opportunity to comment on referees’ opinions before the meeting of the Funding Committee at which their application will be considered.

Deadlines

This scheme is being discontinued. See Investigator Awards for more information.

The following closing date for full applications apply:

Applications can continue to be submitted on a rolling basis before the closing date.

Applicants are advised that the Trust may take up to four weeks to assess a preliminary application before a full application can be invited.

Contacts

Enquiries may be directed to the appropriate funding stream, or by telephone to the Grants Management Helpdesk: +44 (0)20 7611 2020.

Immunology and Infectious Disease
E iid@wellcome.ac.uk

Populations and Public Health
E pph@wellcome.ac.uk

Neuroscience and Mental Health
E nmh@wellcome.ac.uk

Physiological Sciences
E phs@wellcome.ac.uk

Molecules, Genes and Cells
E mgc@wellcome.ac.uk

See our postal address and general contact details.