Purpose

To seek out and support the best early career scientists and clinicians as they work to launch their independent research careers in the field of mental health.

The Programme is open to researchers from all disciplines related to mental health research. Research can be based in the laboratory, clinic or field, and may involve experimental, theoretical or social science approaches. It must be relevant to the cause, treatment or prevention of mental illness.

MQ is committed to catalyzing interdisciplinary approaches to transforming mental health research. Consequently, awardees will demonstrate their commitment to interdisciplinary research, through the nature of their project and/or their chosen Mentor.

Award

The MQ Fellows Programme will provide up to £75,000, per year for three years, or up to £225,000 in total funding.

The award does not have to support the Applicant's salary.

If the Applicant's salary is funded elsewhere, an MQ Fellows award could support experimental costs, and/or salary for a research assistant.

These funds may be used for any of the following:

As start-up funding for a specific project or bridging funding for a current project

For direct research costs

And/or for salary support for the applicant and/or research assistance staff as appropriate.

Eligibility

Applicants:

- Can be from any country.

- Can be from any scientific discipline, including basic scientists, clinically qualified researchers, medical humanities scholars and social science researchers.

- Must be early career researchers establishing their independence:

a) With a PhD, DPhil, DClinPsy, MBBS, MD or equivalent awarded before October 31st, 2013,By 31 October 2015, have accumulated 2-6 years (whole-time-equivalent) research experience equivalent in nature to postdoctoral research,Be in an independent position on October 31st, 2015 and have held one for less than three years on that date,Must be applying for an MQ Fellows Award for the first time.  Please note that if you have previously applied to the MQ Fellows Programme, you are automatically excluded from further applications,Must have an ORCID identifier.

b) Must be able to demonstrate in their submitted application:

c) That their proposed project addresses a question relevant to mental health, such as the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of mental illness,Consideration of interdisciplinarity.

- Must be eligible to enter the UK for an interview and to participate in annual meetings, if (s)he is not a British national. Applicants are responsible for obtaining their own visa, if required.

- Must complete and submit their application in English.

Process

The 2015 Fellows Programme follows a 3-stage application process.

Stage 1: Statement of Intent

Applicants are required to complete and submit a Stage 1 application form. This is comprised of a 1-page Statement of Intent, an abbreviated curriculum vitae form, and a reference. This must be sent submitted through the MQ online application system by Thursday 16th April, 2015, 17:00 BST.

The Stage 1 Statement of Intent requires a reference, and signatures from the Applicant's Head of Department and Designated Institutional Authority for approval of grant applications. Please ensure that sufficient time is left to obtain these before the relevant deadlines.

The reference must be from a respected senior leader in mental health research. The Referee must know the Applicant and must not be the same person as the Mentor.

Applications meeting submission criteria (outlined below in Application advice) will be reviewed by the MQ Fellows Committee for shortlisting. MQ will confirm receipt of applications accepted for review via email within 3 weeks of the application deadline. If Applicants have not received an email from MQ by May 8th, it is their responsibility to contact MQ.

Applications that do not meet submission criteria will not be processed further.  Applicants will be informed of the results of the Stage 1 review by 26th June.

Stage 2: Invited Proposal

Shortlisted Candidates will be invited to complete Stage 2 of the process. This involves submitting a Stage 2 Invited Proposal form by Thursday July 23rd, 2015, 17:00 BST.

When shortlisted Candidates are notified that they have passed to Stage 2 (by 26th June, 2015), the Stage 2 Invited Proposal form will be made available. Additional external scientific experts will be recruited to participate in the Fellows Committee review process.

At Stage 2, Applicants are asked to propose a Mentor for their project, who can be from any field, and whose research is pertinent to the proposed project.  Please seeGuidelines for Applicants for more information on Mentors.

Stage 2 Invited Proposals will be further reviewed by the MQ Fellows Committee and external reviewers. Those successful at this stage will be invited to attend an interview.

Stage 3: Invited Interview

Finalists will be interviewed by the Fellows Committee on 12th or 13th October 2015, in London, UK.

FSJD Contact

In case of interest, you should contact with FSJD Research's Department before 09th April 2015.

Further information:

http://www.joinmq.org/research/pages/fellows-programme