Internal Funding Opportunities

The Birmingham Springboard Fellowship is a new competitive scheme which aims to support high-calibre post-doctoral researchers to develop proposals for submission to prestigious fellowships schemes. 

The postholder will work in a high-quality research environment and will be sponsored by a senior mentor for development of their independent research within the strategic areas of research in the College of Medicine and Health. The postholder is expected to submit their independent fellowship application within the first 12 months of appointment and if/as successful, move into the fellowship role on a new contract within the two years.

• Dr George Ronson and Dr Juma el-Awaisi
• Dr Joseph Wragg and Dr Tianyi Zhang

Here you will find answers to the most common questions you may have about applying for the Birmingham Springboard Fellowship.

What is the Birmingham Springboard Fellowship?

The Birmingham Springboard Fellowship is a competitive scheme designed to support high-calibre post-doctoral researchers in developing proposals for prestigious fellowship schemes. It aims to help researchers establish their independent research programs within the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham.

Who is eligible to apply for the Fellowship?

The Fellowship is open to both internal and external candidates who are early career researchers. Applicants should have a strong research background and be looking to develop their independent research proposals. Clinicians are not eligible for the Springboard Fellowship. However, there are other programs available to support them, such as the BHP Clinician Scientist Fellowship and BHP Starter Fellowships.

What kind of support does the Fellowship provide?

The Fellowship offers financial support (including salary and research expenses up to £15,000 per annum), mentorship from senior researchers, and access to high-quality research environments. It aims to boost the competitiveness of the post holder for externally funded independent fellowship applications.

How long does the Fellowship last?

The Fellowship typically lasts for up to two years. Within the first 12 months, fellows are expected to develop and submit their independent fellowship applications.

What are the expectations for Fellows during the Fellowship?

Fellows are expected to conduct high-quality research, develop their independent research proposals, and submit applications for prestigious fellowships such as the NIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships, MRC/Wellcome Career Development Awards, and ERC Starter grants.

How can I apply for the Fellowship?

Interested candidates can apply through the University of Birmingham's College of Medicine and Health website. The application process involves submitting a research proposal, and a CV.

What are some examples of research areas supported by the Fellowship?

The Fellowship encompasses a broad spectrum of research areas within the College of Medicine and Health. It supports everything from fundamental science to applied health research. The only requirement is that candidates must complete their fellowship within the College of Medicine and Health.

What are the panel looking for in an application?

The panel is looking for clear evidence of a positive career trajectory and sustained momentum, demonstrated through publications or the receipt of small grants. Particular emphasis will be placed on the strength and potential impact of the proposed fellowship to be submitted to an external funder.

Can I reapply for a Springboard?

Yes, you may resubmit a previous application. However, only one resubmission is allowed per applicant. The revised proposal must show meaningful improvements — this could involve addressing feedback from the review panel or incorporating new preliminary data to strengthen the submission.

When can I start if awarded?

The University is offering development grants (up to £5,000) to support the participation of our researchers in Horizon Europe proposals across all activities of the programme.

Grants are meant to enable participation in Horizon Europe applications that would not otherwise be possible without the additional support.

The fund is intended to be agile and responsive with a quick turnaround for decisions and allocation of funds. It is open to all disciplines across all five Colleges without any predetermined allocation.

For further information on how to apply, please visit our SharePoint site:

Horizon Europe Development Grant

(Please note: a staff or student login is required to access this site). 

The University offers internal grants of up to £10,000 to support researchers who are developing ambitious, interdisciplinary research applications, normally in excess of £500,000 value to the University.

For further information on how to apply, please visit our SharePoint site:

Interdisciplinary Bid Development Fund

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The Research Development Fund (RDF) provides financial support to underpin career development and research innovation within the College of Medicine and Health (CMH). This funding is a central College resource, overseen by a cross-College committee.

It is available to all research-active staff employed by the College except PhD and MSc students. We encourage applications for collaborative projects, but at least one applicant must hold a CMH appointment.

The initiative particularly aims to help early and mid-career researchers to generate the strong, novel data and high-impact publications that will provide a firm foundation for future grant proposals.

For further information on how to apply, please visit our SharePoint site:

College of Medicine and Health Research Development Fund

(Please note: a staff or student login is required to access this site).