To enhance our support for both internal and external applicants to prestigious personal awards, the College of Medicine and Health has established a dedicated College Fellowship Academy.
The Fellowship Academy aims to attract the next generation of talent seeking personal awards. The Academy will focus on postdoctoral talent development to secure external research fellowships and equivalent awards, such as MRC Career Development/Clinician Scientist Awards, NIHR Advanced Fellowships, UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships, equivalent Wellcome schemes, and ERC Starter Grants. This also includes the pump-priming programmes such as the Birmingham Springboard fellowship.
The Fellowship Academy will:
- Provide applicants with advice and guidance (e.g. grant clinics, signposting, bid building, interview preparation and post-award mentoring)
- Liaise with programme managers of the relevant funding bodies (e.g. planning and hosting multi-funder events)
- Provide overarching career guidance and care of a growing cadre of externally funded fellows across the College
Opportunities
Springboard Fellowships
The Springboard Fellowship aims to support high-calibre post-doctoral researchers to develop proposals for submission to prestigious fellowships schemes such as ERC starter grants, Future Leaders Fellowship, Wellcome / MRC Career Development Awards etc.
The postholder will work in a high-quality research environment and will be sponsored by a senior mentor and fully supported by the Fellowship Academy for development of their independent research.
The awards are open to both internal and external candidates and will provide up to two years’ salary for the fellow and research costs.
Closing date is Wednesday 3rd September at 12:00 noon.
A provisional date set aside for interview is Thursday 2nd October 2025.
Marie Sklodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
open on the 8th May with submission deadline in September 2025.
There are 2 types of Postdoctoral Fellowships available:
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships - open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career and can last between 1 and 2 years.
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships fund the mobility of researchers outside Europe, typically lasting between 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
For full details of eligibility and what the funding covers, please see .
To help solidify networks with your host/sponsor - the University has established a new to fund visits.
Observe a Wellcome funding panel
Wellcome offers the opportunity to observe funding advisory committees. Researchers who are considering applying for Wellcome funding in the next two years can apply to observe a shortlisting committee. Visit their website for further information:
Recent Fellowship Successes
Upcoming Events
We will regularly update upcoming events and how we can support you. Please check regularly to see what might be most appropriate for you to attend.
CMH Fellowship Academy - Upcoming Events
Current Fellows Workshop
Monday 23rd June 2025
13:00 - 16:00
Birmingham Medical Schoo;
University 麻豆精选
Birmingham, UK
We would like to invite you to our upcoming workshop designed specifically for current fellows. The aim is to provide you with support and insight to enhance your fellowship experience. This includes discussion around current support, the promotion process, how to make PDR work best for you, and what your next steps are now you have secured a fellowship.
This will take place on 23rd June 13:00-16:00 in the Medical School. Please register via our online form:
CMH Fellowship Academy Summer Conference July 2025
Monday 7th July 2025
09:30 - 15:00
Edgbaston Park Hotel
Birmingham, UK
Join us at Edgbaston Park Hotel on July 7th, 2025, for a special event hosted by the Fellowship Academy. This day will be dedicated to Fellowships and strategies for successful applications. You'll have the opportunity to hear from current fellowship holders, engage with panellists, and interact with funders. Take advantage of this chance to ask your questions directly or submit them anonymously through our question box. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please register via our online form:
Pitch-to-Peers
Pitch-to-Peers (P2P) is an opportunity for you to share an early version of your proposal to your peers and receive feedback. To register for an upcoming session of P2P please contact cmh-pitch@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Contact and Further Information
For any queries regarding the new Fellowship Academy, please e-mail cmhfellowshipacademy@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
To give the Fellowship Academy feedback or to suggest workshops, support or resources that you feel would be beneficial please fill out our anonymous form.
For further information on researcher training and development, please visit our .
Interested in joining the College of Medicine and Health? Please register your interest using our online form and see how the Fellowship Academy can help you with a fellowship application to join the college.