1. General Guidelines for Applicants Updated: 09.02.17 Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarship Programme 2017 The objective of the Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarship Programme is to offer excellent science, medical, nursing and other allied healthcare graduates the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in cancer research. During the four year programme, Scholars will undertake general and cancer specific training, as well as participating in structured PhD programmes, and will have the opportunity to gain experience at an international research institution. There are two types of Irish Cancer Society Scholarship Programmes 2017: the Biomedical Research Scholarship and the Survivorship Research Scholarship. Application to both is accessible through the Irish Cancer Society Gateway Grant Tracker online system. Biomedical Research Scholarship Applications in the areas of basic or translational biomedical research with a focus on developing a better understanding of novel approaches to cancer are welcome. All eligible applications will be reviewed by an international peer review panel for scientific excellence and quality of applicant. Please note, Applications in the areas of prevention and early detection will not be considered at this time. Survivorship Research Scholarship Applications in the areas of cancer survivorship, including research and interventions designed to improve the long-term health and quality of life for cancer survivors and their families are welcome. All eligible applications will be reviewed by an international peer review panel for scientific excellence and quality of applicant. This guideline document covers both Scholarship types. The total value of the Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarship covering stipend, fees, materials and dissemination will be up to 32,000 per year for a maximum of four years. Additionally, mobility funding of up to a maximum of 7,000 for travel to a national or (preferably) international research institution in furtherance of advancement of the research project aims, over the course of the programme, should be included in the application. A further fund, up to a maximum of 2,000 will also be available in the final year of the Scholarship towards dissemination of research in a high impact journal. This funding is separate to the travel and dissemination budget which must be detailed in the budget section of the application. In their final year, the successful scholar will need to apply for this dissemination funding support in advance of the planned publication. Each application (scholar mobility element and dissemination awards respectively) will be reviewed before a funding decision is made. Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 1
It is very important that Applicants and their proposed Supervisors work closely together when completing the application to ensure that the Applicant has a broad knowledge of the research area and an in-depth understanding of the proposed research project. 1.1 Timeframe Thursday 8 th December 2016 3pm Friday 10 th February 2017 February and March 2017 Late April 2017 Early May 2017 Opening of Call Deadline for online submission of all applications Shortlisting and detailed review of applications Interviews Awarding of Research Scholarships 2. Eligibility Criteria Applications from individuals that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be assessed. We therefore strongly recommend you read the following to be made aware of requirements for the Applicant, the Host Institute and the Research Team: Eligible Applicants must fulfil the following criteria: You must have obtained (or be about to obtain) a minimum of a first class honours or higher second class honours bachelor degree or equivalent. If examination results are not known at the time of application, the Irish Cancer Society may make a provisional offer on condition that the applicant s final grade for their bachelor s (or equivalent) degree is a first class or upper second-class honours. You must not register for a PhD prior to application. This must be your first PhD. You must complete the PhD at an Irish Institution. The proposed PhD project must have 2 Supervisors, both of which are active in the supervision of the work. At least one Supervisor must be based at the proposed host institute. At least one Supervisor must have a minimum of 5 years post-doctoral experience and the other supervisor must have a minimum of 1 year post-doctoral experience. The most experienced Supervisor must hold a contract that covers the period proposed for the PhD. Ideally the second supervisor should also hold a contract for the duration of the PhD. However, given this person is only required to have 1 year postdoctoral experience, we will consider any co-supervisor who can demonstrate their commitment to the supervision of the student throughout the whole period. We recommend applicants refer to the guidelines for Supervisors specific to their research organisation to ensure that their Supervisors also meet the host institution s requirements for a research supervisor. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria for this scheme. If you are uncertain about your eligibility to this scheme, please contact us (details provided below) in advance of preparing your application. Research Team Research teams eligible to supervise a Research Scholar will include those in Irish higher education institutions as well as other institutions in Ireland who can demonstrate to the international peer review panel a sufficiently high international research reputation. It is the responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that their Supervisors also meet the host institution s requirements for a research supervisor. Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 2
3. Application Procedure Prior to applying, you must read this document (Guidelines for Applicants) through to completion. You must identify two suitable Research Supervisors, and discuss the proposed Research Project with these Supervisors before completing the application form. The Scholarship application should be initiated by the Applicant, with strong input from the Supervisors throughout. The application must NOT be written by the Supervisors alone. Applicants who will be invited to attend the interview stages of assessment must display an in-depth knowledge of the proposed research project and demonstrate the ability to think independently. Therefore it is essential that the Applicant themselves lead the Scholarship application. How to Apply Applications must be completed and submitted through the Irish Cancer Society Gateway Grant Tracker online system. In order to submit an online application you are required to register at the following address: https://grants.cancer.ie. 3.1 Overview of the Application Process When you enter your login details you will be directed to the Home page. From here you can: 1. Enter details of your CV 2. Make a new grant application 3. Access previous grant applications 3.2.1 Curriculum Vitae - This will form part of the Shortlisting Criteria You must complete your CV before you can proceed to your application. This can be done by clicking on My Details on the Home page or on the Manage My Details tab on the left hand side of the page. Academic and professional qualifications Please enter any academic or professional qualifications that you have or are currently undertaking. Please detail each year of the qualification separately. For example Year 3 would be entered separately to Year 4. In cases where the qualification is not yet completed then the expected result can be given. Please detail all subjects covered during each year. An example entry: Year 3 entered as: From: 01/09/15 To: 01/06/16 Degree/Qualification: BSc Subject: Molecular Genetics, Emerging Therapies, Drug Discovery and Development, etc Country: Ireland Institute: University College Dublin (UCD) Department/School/Division: Pharmacology Result: 70% or GPA 3.0 Year 4 entered as: From: 01/09/16 To: 01/06/17 Degree/Qualification: BSc Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 3
Subject: Advanced Pharmacology of Cancer. Gene Regulation, Pharmacology Research Project, Advanced Cardiovascular Pharmacology, etc Country: Ireland Institute: University College Dublin (UCD) Department/School/Division: Pharmacology Result: Expected 75% or GPA 3.2 Employment Please detail present or previous positions held including start and end date, job title and university or institution where you were employed or studied Publications Please state any research publications that you have. Please include a minimum of date of publication, list of authors, publication title, name of the publication/journal, type of publication, DOI reference, and a URL link if available. Research Grants and or/fellowships Please provide details of the grant including start date, duration, amount awarded, funding organisation, reference number, grant type, grant title and what role you played in this grant. Research Experience: Please outline previous research experience such as final year projects/summer placements etc. Give detail of any outputs achieved, techniques learnt and skills obtained. Professional Development Please detail any events, courses, degree modules or other experience that you have completed. Please include details of who provided the professional development, why it took place and start and end dates. It is encouraged that an activity agenda/description is also attached. 3.2.2 My Application When you have completed your CV then you can proceed to apply for a new grant application. This can be done by returning to the Home page and clicking to apply for funding from one of our grant streams. Or alternatively through the My Applications tab on the left hand side of the page, and clicking the New Application button. You will then be asked what Grant Type you would like to apply for. Click Apply for the Grant Type detailed as Scholarship. Click More Info for more information on the grant type. Once you have clicked Apply you will be directed to the application pages. There are 10 sections outlined on the left hand side of the page: 1. Introduction 2. Project Outline 3. Supervisor 4. Research Office 5. Project Summary 6. Budget 7. Research Programme 8. Research Environment 9. Additional Documents 10. Personal Statement 11. Validation Summary These sections are to be viewed and completed. It is recommended that you save the information as you complete each section. This can be done by clicking Save as you go along. Alternatively the information will be Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 4
saved when you click Save and Close. By clicking Previous you will be brought to the previous section and by clicking Next you will be brought to the next section. As you proceed through the sections you will see a little blue question mark icon next to some of the sections. By clicking on this icon you will get more information on the section to be completed. Sections that are required to be filled out have a red circle icon next to them. You will not be able to proceed with the application if these sections are not completed. 1. Introduction This section gives more information on the Scholarships including the objective, applications, funding, eligibility criteria, research supervisors and CVs. 2. Project Outline Details of your application are entered into this section. Input and save the information as required under the following headings: a) Proposed PhD Title b) Proposed Start Date c) Duration d) Proposed Research Institute e) Cancer Type f) Keywords g) Research type h) Discipline 3. Supervisors Your Supervisors must create an account and complete the Basic Details and CV section on the system before you submit your application. You can search for your supervisors by entering their surname. If the supervisor has already created an account then they will appear on the list. To add them as your supervisor click Select. Please note that on saving, the contact will be added to the Application as a Supervisor. They will receive a notification of this via email. If your supervisor does not already have an account you can click Add a New Contact and enter their name and email address. Please note that on saving, the contact will be added to the Application as a Supervisor. They will receive a notification of this via email. 4. Research Office A representative from the Host Institute Research Office must create an account on the system before you submit your application. You can search for the Research Office representative by entering their surname. If the Research Office representative already has an account then they will appear on the list. To add them as the Research Office representative click Select. Please note that on saving, the contact will be added to the Application as the Research Office representative. They will receive a notification of this via email. If the Research Office representative does not already have an account you can click Add a New Contact and enter their name and email address. Please note that on saving, the contact will be added to the Application as the Research Office representative. They will receive a notification of this via email. 5. Project Summary-This will form part of the Shortlisting Criteria Scientific Abstract (Summary of Research Project): It is extremely important to put time and effort into this section as your abstract will be used to assess your application at the shortlist stage. You are strongly advised to work closely with your Supervisor to ensure that the abstract is as informative as possible whilst remaining within the word count (400 words max). The abstract must include: Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 5
Three sentences on project rationale The hypothesis A sentence on the impact Relevance of research to patients: The Irish Cancer Society is focused on improving the lives of cancer patients through research. Please state how your research will be relevant to cancer patients in Ireland. (100 words max). Grant lay summary: Please provide a detailed and structured lay abstract. It is very important that the lay abstract is written in plain English and is understandable to a non-scientific audience. Describe what your research involves and what you want to achieve. Explain how achieving your research objectives will benefit people affected by cancer, either as a direct result of your findings, or to inform future research or policy that may result in clinical benefit. Do not use scientific or technical language (200 words max). 6. Budget Scholarship: There are four allowable budget headings as follows: i. Applicant s Stipend (maximum 18,000 per annum) ii. Registration fees iii. Consumables iv. Training and Dissemination Reason for support requested: A full detailed breakdown of costs and justification for all costs must be provided for each budget heading in your application. Funds may be requested for the following: i. Applicant s Stipend A student stipend up to a maximum value of 18,000 per annum may be requested. ii. Registration fees Please ensure that the fee amount budgeted here is suffice to cover the entire duration of the Scholarship. Registration fees may increase from year to year and it is your responsibility to ensure you have budgeted accordingly iii. Consumables Please allow sufficient budget for all materials and consumables required to carry out your research proposal. iv. Training and Dissemination Costs Please provide details of costs involved in attending training and education modules (if at research institutions other than host institution) and meetings and conferences that you will attend during your Research Scholarship. Please detail the dissemination costs for your research e.g. printing, posters, publication costs and public awareness lectures. Mobility Grant Travel Budget: Allowable costs include travel, accommodation and running costs. Applicants may request up to a maximum of 7,000 for an international mobility element. Please note that funding for this proposed mobility element will not automatically be available to successful Applicants. Successful applicants will be required to reapply for this mobility funding at least three months in advance of travelling. Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 6
7. Research Programme: Basis for research: Please clearly state previous research carried out by the associated research team or others which forms the basis of your research proposal (500 words max). Hypothesis and Aims: Please outline the hypothesis and the aims of your research proposal (500 words max). Methods of Research: Please describe the methods you will use to conduct your research. Please give particular attention to statistics, provide statistical analysis for each part of your experimental plan. Power calculations, numbers of samples, number of matched controls, and strategy of different controls to be used should all be discussed. Additionally, please discuss the feasibility of obtaining /accessing sufficient numbers of samples/participants and controls that will result in statistically meaningful results. (1000 words max). Objectives for First Year: In this section you need to set out a series of objectives that you hope to achieve in the first year of your Research Scholarship. The objectives should be precise and concise statements, just one line with a projected date for completion. In some cases, you can enter alternatives in case a pitfall arises. Ensure that you set a realistic work plan for the time period. Example for Biomedical Research Scholarship: Collate all patient records and tissue samples by March Isolate DNA and RNA from all samples by June. Genotype by August. Set up bioinformatics platform in collaboration with X,Y,Z by September (250 words). Example for Survivorship Research Scholarship: Begin recruitment of participants September Test participants September-May Set up collaboration with X,Y,Z by August SWOT analysis of proposed project: Please provide a SWOT analysis of your proposed project outlining the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the project. Please include a fall-back strategy that you will employ if initial investigations prove unfruitful. (500 words max). References: Please cite any literature referenced in the sections above. Research Images: You may upload up to five research images. Please ensure that figures are legible when uploading. Illegible figures may be difficult for the international peer review panel to assess and could detract from your application. Generic and cancer-specific training modules: Please provide details of education and training modules at your institution and other research institutions in Ireland which you wish to avail of during your Research Scholarship. These can be generic post-graduate training modules and cancer-specific modules. Note: Applicants must plan to complete a defined number of credits during their 4 year Research Scholarship. The Irish Cancer Society will provide a list of available training opportunities at the beginning of the Research Scholarship. You may be required to participate in courses organised by the Irish Cancer Society such as media training, cancer prevention, epidemiology and clinical research courses (250 words max). Mobility Element: Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 7
Please outline a period of mobility element whereby you travel to a research group abroad to conduct research or gain expertise during the course of your Scholarship. The international mobility element must be from one up to three months. Please provide the name of the Principal Investigator leading the group and research institution. Please describe your research plan or expertise you wish to develop at the international research group. Note: you may change the details of the mobility element during the Research Scholarship and for this reason successful Applicants must reapply for this funding closer to the period of travel (at least three months in advance of travelling). Ethical approval: Please indicate if ethical approval is required for the research application. Research Environment: (1000 words max). Please list the different research groups in your immediate environment. Is there an overall research theme to your centre? How many researchers are in your group? What is their core research focus? What is the breakdown of research groups in your department / centre? What special infrastructure / local factors make your research environment a good place to carry out this particular cancer research? What support will you receive from your research group e.g. post-doctoral supervision? Will you be participating in a structured PhD programme? Please list all support for this research from other sources, including support that has been requested (name, funding source, total amount requested and date of request). If this Research Scholarship application is part of an on-going programme, then please detail the programme and show how this funding will contribute. Please provide details of any collaboration you will partake in as a Research Scholar within your research group, department and other research groups. 8. Additional Documents Please upload any additional documents here including letters of support (required in relation the mobility element), references from two referees, ethical approval (if applicable) and academic transcripts (if applicable). Please note references are required from two referees. Please note: Letters of Support are different to Declaration of Support. Each of your signatories is required to upload a signed Declaration of Support following the submission of the application by the lead applicant. Letters of support must be scanned copies (in PDF format) of original letters on official letterhead with signatures. Originals may be requested if proposal is accepted. Please use short, descriptive file names for your documents. There is no limit on how many additional documents can be uploaded. 9. Personal Statement This will form part of the Shortlisting Criteria There are three headings within the Personal Statement section. This section should be completed by the Applicant. The personal statement sections should include only relevant information which will add merit to your application. The sections are: 1) Reasons for pursuing a PhD in Cancer Research: Please describe your reasons for pursuing a PhD in cancer research (250 words max). 2) Reasons for choosing proposed research centre and Supervisor: Please describe why you chose to conduct your PhD research under the guidance of your proposed Supervisor at the proposed research institution (250 words max). 3) Outreach and Media Successful candidates will be expected to take part in research talks and other outreach events organised by the society (250 words max). Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 8
3.2.3 Submission of the Application. Once it has been verified that all required questions are answered in the correct manner on the application then the application can be submitted. Once the application is submitted by the applicant it must then be approved by each signatory (two supervisors and the Research Office). Approval of the application includes the upload of a completed and signed Declaration of Support Document to the online system by each signatory. Applications that have been submitted by the lead applicant but not approved by the signatories before the deadline will not be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that each signatory approves the application before the deadline. 3.3 Declaration of Support A completed and signed Declaration of Support Document must be uploaded by each signatory before the application can be complete. This Declaration of Support Document will be made available to the signatories on the online system when the applicant submits the application for approval. Declaration of Support from proposed Supervisors: Please include the reasons why you believe this Applicant should receive an Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarship and details of how you will support the Applicant if he/she is awarded a Research Scholarship (100 words max). Declaration of Support from Research Office: The Declaration of Support required from the research office is simply a standard letter stating that you are aware of and support the application. (100 words max). 4. Assessment Procedure Incomplete and ineligible applications and those submitted after the deadline will not be assessed. 4.1 Conflicts of Interest We will endeavour to ensure that the international peer review panel chosen do not have any conflicts of interest regarding the applications they are assessing. 4.2 Stages of the Assessment Procedure Stage 1. Application Check All applications will be checked to ensure that they have been submitted prior to the deadline and that all sections are completed. Stage 2. Short listing Each eligible application will be sent to a number of international (not based in Ireland) peers for review for short listing. The Project Outline, the Applicant s CV, the Applicant s Personal Statement and both of the Supervisor s CV including their record of supervision will be used in the assessment of all applications at the shortlist stage. It is particularly important to put considerable time and effort into the scientific abstract. Stage 3. Detailed Review The international peer review panel will complete an online assessment form and provide a score for each application under the following assessment criteria. Academic Qualifications: Applicants must have or expect to obtain a minimum of an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in order to apply for a Research Scholarship. Research Environment: Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 9
The proposed host institution and proposed Supervisor will be evaluated on their ability to enable the full implementation of all aspects of the proposed Research Scholarship. This will include the provision of all necessary facilities for the Irish Cancer Society Research Scholar to fully carry out their proposed research project e.g. equipment, office/laboratory space, online access to research journals etc. This will also include the provision of support for the training and education modules of the Research Scholarship. The research track record of the chosen Supervisor will be assessed as evidenced by the information provided in their CV, including their record of supervision. Research Programme All proposals must clearly describe the study design and scientific merit of the proposed research. The feasibility of the research must match the ability of the proposed Research Scholar. It is important that the questions asked by the proposed research are relevant to the current field of research. The international mobility element will also be considered. It will be evaluated on the basis that it will add real value to the training and development of the Applicant and will be of overall benefit to the objectives of the research proposal. The proposed research during international mobility period must be realistic and feasible during the proposed time-frame. References (Previously Headed Letters of Support in error): Statement of support for the Research Scholar from two independent Referees. Note: the Supervisor may not act as a referee for the application. Stage 4. Interview Short list The international peer review panel will discuss and debate the scoring of applications, and propose a list of Applicants to be shortlisted for interview. Stage 5. Interview Shortlisted Applicants will be invited to attend an interview with the assessment panel and an independent Chair. Applicants will be asked to give a 7 minute presentation on themselves and their project proposal which will be followed by questions from the assessment panel. It is therefore essential that Applicants have a full and indepth understanding of their proposed project. Stage 6. Awarding of Research Scholarships Following the interview stage, the successful Applicants will be informed that Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarships will be awarded, subject to terms and conditions. 4.3 Feedback Following each assessment stage, Applicants will be notified by email. For unsuccessful Applicants, a summary of feedback comments may be requested upon completion of the assessment procedure with the aim of improving the Applicant s success should they wish to re-apply in the future or apply to another similar scheme. The Irish Cancer Society will not take any responsibility for any comments made by the independent assessment panel. 5. Application Checklist The following must be completed ONLINE by 3pm Friday 10 th February 2017: 6. Contact 1. CV of Applicant 2. CV of Proposed Supervisors (including record of supervision) 3. Completed Application Form Submitted 4. Application approved by all Signatories. If you require assistance with the online application system or have any queries about the application which are not currently addressed in the FAQ document, please contact us: Email: grants@irishcancer.ie Telephone: +353 1 2316 663 Irish Cancer Society Guidelines for Research Scholarship Programme Applicants 2017 10