Bridging Fellowships

Deadline: 16:00 on 3 July 2024 

Funding decision: November 2024 

Maximum duration: Two years 

Contact: Julie Marsden at awards@versusarthritis.org

What does the bridging fellowship provide?

The new bridging fellowship will provide up to 2 years funding for current Versus Arthritis fellowship holders who are in the final year of their fellowship. The aim of the fellowship is to provide fellows with additional financial support to bridge them to their next fellowship application or academic post, providing them with the opportunity to continue the development of an independent research career and progression towards higher-level appointments. 

Who can apply for a bridging fellowship? 

Current Versus Arthritis Fellows who are in the final year of their fellowship. Applicants will need to need provide a strong case for why the additional financial support is needed and clear plans for what the fellowship will be bridging the applicants towards, such as specific funding schemes or academic positions.

The current Versus Arthritis fellowships are eligible for this scheme: 

• Clinical Research Fellowships 
• Foundation Fellowships 
• Career Development Fellowships. 

What can you apply for?

Up to 2 years funding for the applicant’s salary, expenses and animal costs can be requested. 

There are two funding options:

1. Up to 1 year of funding with no host institution buy-in required. A maximum of £80,000 can be requested by foundation and clinical research fellowship holders and £100,000 for career development fellows. 
2. Up to 2 years of funding with the host institution contributing 50% of salary costs. A maximum of £100,000 can be requested by foundation and clinical research fellows and £150,000 for career development fellows. 

Expenses 

You are permitted to apply for reasonable research expenses directly related to your proposal, including:

• consumables 
• small pieces of equipment (up to £30,000 in value) 
• purchase and maintenance of laboratory animals (see below) 
• travel to a collaborating institution 
• costs related to public and patient involvement or engagement activities. 

Studies involving animals must provide adequate details on the number, species, strain and associated costs of animals to be used in the study. Justification for the use of animals and why a suitable alternative cannot be used must also be provided. Versus Arthritis is a signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and supports the principle of the 3Rs. 

Detailed justification of costs requested should be provided in the fellowship application. Please read our costing your fellowship page for more information about eligible and ineligible costs. 

How to apply

All applications must be submitted through our grants management system, Grant Tracker. 

Applications should be submitted jointly by the candidate with his/her sponsor, outlining the proposed programme of research. 

The fellowship application is a one-stage process, a full application should be submitted by the deadline. 

Please read the Bridging Fellowship Guidance document (PDF, 256.8 KB) and the applying for a fellowship webpages prior to beginning your application. 

How are they funded? 

These Fellowships are awarded by the Fellowship Expert Committee following external scientific and lay review. Applicants will have the opportunity to provide a written response to external scientific and lay review, ahead of the Fellowship Expert Committee panel. 

If you have any questions about the scheme please e-mail awards@versusarthritis.org