This document discusses Seema Singh's experience applying for an NIHR fellowship for her PhD in renal dietetics. It describes her motivation for pursuing a PhD in order to advance both her career and clinical practice. The document outlines the development of her project idea to modify dialysis delivery based on clinical referrals and reviews the key steps of crafting her application, including emphasizing past research experience, proposed collaborations, and support from supervisors. It also provides advice for the application and interview process, noting the importance of practice, preparation, and rehearsal. While challenging to organize, the fellowship provided new experiences in acquiring skills, unexpected findings, networking opportunities, and involvement in other initiatives.

1. Applying for an NIHR
fellowship: My
PhD experience
Seema Singh
Renal Dietitian
NIHR Clinical doctoral research fellow
Clinical Academic Training Programme for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals

2. Why I decided to do a PhD
Career choice:
Researcher or manager
Service delivery
Quality of care
Theory & practice
Patient contact
Clinical Outcomes
Changing practise

3. My project idea: Modifying dialysis delivery
 Triggered by reason for clinical referral
 Rationale based literature review
 Correct cause rather than effect
 Simple uncomplicated design
 Design choice & recruitment
 Help from renal team
 Development of skills

4. Research project
 Keep design simple
 Background reading
 Demonstrate patient benefit
 Incorporate patient reported
outcomes
 Involve patients in design
 Peer-review your project design

5. Completing the application
form
 Past research experience
 Use additional info section to sell yourself
 Suggest agreed or possible collaborations
 Advertise use of patient involvement
 Support career intentions
 Supervisors – accessible & approachable
 Get help with costing & finance form
 Allow plenty of time

6. Interview
 5 min presentation with 15 min questions
 Practice practice and practice again
 Prepare list of possible questions
 study design
 recruitment
 patient benefit
 supervisors
 career intention
…. and rehearse answers!

7. Timelines
April 2010 June 2010
Application
deadline
Invited for
interview
Sept 2010
Interview
Nov 2010
Notification
Mar 2011
Thesis
submission
Commencement
of Fellowship
Feb 2015 May 2015
Viva

8. But worth it!
The challenges : Organisation is
key!

9. New experiences
 Acquiring & mastering new skills
 Novel project & unexpected findings
 Esteem indicators
 Networking
 Involvement in external initiatives

10. Good support is crucial