Strategic Awards in the History of Medicine - DISCONTINUED
Purpose
Following the 2008 History of Medicine review, Strategic Awards will no longer be available. This content is provided for information only.
This scheme provides core support for groupings of historians of medicine within UK or Irish universities.
These awards are made to established groupings of researchers to exploit and pursue research around a designated theme or related themes within the field, and to expand a critical mass of expertise in the field that is sustainable in the long term.
The Strategic Award mode of funding may be premature or inappropriate for some institutions - in these cases the Enhancement Award may be more appropriate.
Background
After a process of consultation with experts in the field, we decided to make changes to the way we provide core support in the history of medicine. The background to the proposed changes is the recognition that there is a need for a more open competition within the field for core support. The concept of 'unit' funding is now 30 years old.
Over this period, the history of medicine landscape has changed dramatically. The success of the University Award scheme has allowed clusters of scholars to establish themselves in 'non-unit' institutions. These scholars have, in terms of research output, performed as well as 'unit' historians. The History of Medicine Funding Committee has long recognised this and over recent years has discussed changes to the current funding system. Indeed, history of medicine 'groups' have been established as an interim measure in recognition of their contribution in taking the subject forward and establishing it as a mainstream, academic subject in many universities.
The Strategic Awards in the History of Medicine, along with the Enhancement Awards in the History of Medicine, have replaced history of medicine unit funding and provide an open competition for all those institutions with a demonstrable commitment to the subject.
We are keen for clusters of scholars to identify areas of strength and seize opportunities for timely research around focused themes. Indeed, the units that have been the most successful have formed around a theme, which is sufficiently loose to allow for the interests of different scholars to be pursued within an overall framework. It is proposed that this 'theme' concept be continued by the introduction of the Strategic Award in the History of Medicine.
These changes do not affect the Wellcome Trust Centre for the History of Medicine at University College London.
What's included
These awards are for a clearly defined five-year, fixed-term period and allow for research expenses in the region of £80 000-120 000 p.a.
We expect a financial commitment on the part of the institution(s) so that at the end of the fixed term there is some continuation of research activity.
Examples of eligible requests for this award include:
- research fellows/assistants for designated projects
- research leave for principal applicant or coapplicants
- PhD studentships
- salary costs for administrative posts and equipment (full- or part-time)
- travel and subsistence costs for visiting fellows (up to six months per fellow)
- an annual symposia/conference focused on strategic theme or for theme development
- public engagement activities - collaborative projects with scientists, clinicians, journalists, teachers, museums or the media.
Eligibility
Strategic Awards will be made to established groupings of medical historians (applicants do not necessarily need to be based at the same institution) to exploit and pursue research around a designated theme or related themes within the field, and to expand a critical mass of expertise in the field that is sustainable in the long term.
Researchers must be based in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
Application process
Prospective applicants are requested to submit a preliminary application form [Word 164KB] by the published deadline.
Application forms should be requested from the History of Medicine office (see Contacts).
If the preliminary application is successful, a full application will be invited.
Full applications are sent for peer review and referees are asked to assess the value of the proposed research in relation to the criteria for the awards.
Applications are then considered by a sub-committee of the History of Medicine Funding Committee.
Please note that applicants may indicate that they wish for their application to be considered for an Enhancement Award if a Strategic Award is not offered.
Application advice
Track record will be assessed as part of any new application in open competition.
Award holders (principal researchers) are expected to:
- focus on a coherent, overarching and timely research theme(s), normally comprising several synergistic research teams with complementary research programmes
- produce high-quality research and advance knowledge
- maintain and expand a critical mass of expertise of international standing
- provide focused leadership and management
- demonstrate commitment to a partnership between the host institution and the Trust
- encourage interdisciplinarity in the field
- provide training for MSc and PhD students, and improve career opportunities
- develop and encourage input into undergraduate medical education where possible
- encourage local, national and international collaboration where appropriate
- improve opportunities for further securing funding from the Trust and other sources
- improve dissemination of research and develop public engagement activities
- gain added value from the provision of core resources.
Monitoring
Strategic Award holders will be required to submit a mid-term report on their research activities to the History of Medicine Funding Committee.
We hope that this process will highlight any developing or potential problems and enable the Funding Committee to provide a steer to ensure award holders meet the necessary criteria and expected outcomes.
In the event of a group not being successful for a second award, a run-down period of 12 months will be granted to ease the transfer of staff to other positions.
Deadlines
This is an annual competition.
- Preliminary application deadline: 1 October
- Full application deadline: 10 January
- Final decision: April/May
Contacts
Grants Management - History of Medicine
Wellcome Trust
Gibbs Building
215 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE, UK
T +44 (0)20 7611 8429/8736
F +44 (0)20 7611 8525
E
hom@wellcome.ac.uk