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David Sainsbury Fellowships

The David Sainsbury Fellowship Scheme is for exceptional early-career researchers. It aims to attract the best new talent to the challenge of developing models and tools with reduced reliance on in vivo research and/or improved animal welfare ('the 3Rs'). Five awards are available each year, with a value of £65k per annum for three years.

Please note that the NC3Rs has now moved to the Research Councils' joint-electronic submission system (Je-S) for application submission and processing.

Who is eligible for funding?

Researchers with less than three years post-doctoral experience at the time of application are to apply. Applicants slightly over this criteria should contact the NC3Rs office (fellowships@nc3rs.org.uk) as they can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications will also be accepted from final year PhD students, but they must have been awarded their PhD before the Fellowship can commence.

Applications will need to be submitted via an eligible host Research Organisation and a letter of support is required from a Head of Department, guaranteeing the Fellow space and facilities for the duration of the award.

Applicants should also identify a sponsor who works in a field relevant to the proposal, who can provide them support and guidance with the scientific aspects.

As with other Research Council fellowships, applicants are not eligible to apply if they already hold a permanent contract of employment at the host institute.

Points to consider

• Applicants must contact the NC3Rs Office to discuss their proposal prior to submission: fellowships@nc3rs.org.uk
• Proposals relevant to any area of medical, biological or veterinary research or safety testing are sought
• Applications that include an industrial partner or other collaborations are particularly welcomed.
• Proposals can complement existing research at the host institute or can be made in their own right.
• A clear scientific rationale for the proposed work and description of how it will impact on the 3Rs are essential
• Measures of the potential impact of the work on the 3Rs and how this has been arrived at should be provided, where possible. This should include, where appropriate, an estimation of the reduction in animal use in your laboratory/establishment/discipline and/or objective indicators of how animal welfare has improved
• If the proposal presents an alternative non-animal model, it is important to describe what scientific advantages it could have over in vivo methods
• Proposals should outline plans for promoting the outcomes of the research to scientific peers, for example through publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Requests for funding

These awards will be made for three years; financial support is fixed at £65k per annum (£195k total) and is expected to cover:

• The salary of the Fellow (appointed at a suitable spine point by the institute)
• Consumables
• Animal costs
• Equipment
• Travel costs

Please note that these awards will only fund the directly incurred costs of the research at 100% of the full economic costing value. Indirect and Estate costs are not eligible for funding under this scheme, and only certain Directly Allocated costs are allowable.

Submitting applications

The NC3Rs uses the Research Councils' joint electronic submission system (Je-S) and applications are processed by the RCUK Shared Services Centre. All applications must be submitted via Je-S, however applicants should follow the NC3Rs guidance for fellowship applicants to assist with the completion of the form.

We have a list of David Sainsbury Fellowships that have already been funded by us within our research portfolio.