Advanced Course Masters Studentships Competition 2012
This studentship programme is now closed for applications and is available for reference purposes only.
3-Year Quota awards to start in October 2012
Launch Date: 3 November 2011
Closing Date: 20 December 2011
Decision date: February 2012
The aim of the Medical Research Council in funding MSc and MRes studentships is to assist Universities to make a significant impact on unmet national needs for advanced biomedical and health research skills and to develop potential research leaders of the future. These are skills that have been identified by MRC and other partners as critical to the success of the UK in order to meet national goals for better healthcare and improved human, social and economic health.
Specific scientific and skills priorities for this call are set out in the competition guidance.
The MRC expects Universities receiving Advanced Masters allocations to provide research training of the highest quality at Masters level in a coherent range of advanced research skills, as a preparation for academic research at PhD level or research-related employment in industry or the public sector. Courses will offer a significant element of practical research experience as well as formal taught modules.
Applications are invited from UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that offer research based MSc and MRes courses and that meet the eligibility requirements set out in Section 2 of the competition guidance (archived May 2012). However, to manage the burden on peer review, MRC is limiting the applications that a Research Organisation may submit.
Up to 180 studentships are to be made available over three years (60 per year) through this competition. Each application can be for an allocation of 2 to 4 MSc/MRes places for each of three years - 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15.
The Masters courses should include the following:
- a coherent scientific theme addressing MRC’s priorities for this call in a focused way
- strong grounding in knowledge, theory and the research methodologies relevant to the chosen scientific theme, with a balanced mix of specialist and generic research skills training
- a significant research project component, leading to a dissertation
- knowledge and transferable skills training to prepare graduates for PhD training and career opportunities in academia and industry.
The relevant Head of Faculty or School must confirm they have approved the application by completing section 7 of the Case for Support. Each course for which studentships are sought needs its own Je-S application. Applications for two or more courses on one Je-S application will be ineligible.
Successful courses will receive a three-year quota allocation of Masters Studentships, starting October 2012.
Submitting Your Application
Applicants should read the following prior to beginning their application:
- Guidance notes (archived May 2012)
This document provides further details on:
- Eligibility
- MCR Science and Skills priorities relevant to this call
- Funding Available
- Criteria for Assessment
- Completing the Case for Support form
Proposals must be submitted through the Joint electronic Submission (Je-S) system and require the following document attachment:
- Case for Support form (archived May 2012)
Joint Applications – In joint applications, the lead RO should complete the Application Form. A letter of support should be included from the second RO detailing their contribution to the application.
Contact
If you experience difficulties using Je-S or have questions regarding its use, the helpdesk can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm UK time (excluding Bank holidays and other holidays).
Email: JeSHelp@rcuk.ac.uk
Tel:+44 (0)1793 444164 [out of hours please leave a voicemail message]
For other queries relating to the requirements of the competition, please email: students@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk.