FAQs - Self-Nomination

Are you able to give advice about the suitability of a proposed project?

We cannot comment on the content of individual proposals. Please see the Call for Proposals and the Schmidt website for details of what Schmidt are looking for. Pay particular attention to the requirement to pivot your research.

Does my application to you need to include a detailed description of my proposed postdoc project?

At this stage, you need to submit a letter of interest that outlines your suitability for the Schmidt Fellowship rather than a detailed project proposal project and plans. The panel will be interested to hear about your experiences, ambitions, and goals as they relate to the aims of the programme. How you wish to pivot is of particular importance.

If you are shortlisted by the Cambridge panel, you will be invited to apply directly to Schmidt. At that point, you will be asked for a research proposal outlining your future plans, as part of a detailed application. There is more information about this phase on the Schmidt website.

Do I need to have an institution and PI lined up for my postdoc?

You do not need to specify an institution or PI. Placements are developed and agreed after the full Schmidt selection process is complete.

I already have a postdoc lined up with an institution and PI in place. If I am awarded a Schmidt Fellowship, will I be able to keep this position?

If you are successful, you may be able to take up your planned postdoctoral position as part of the Fellowship, but there is no guarantee of this. The placement process is focused on ensuring that Fellows take up positions where they are best placed to achieve the Fellowship goals. Placements are developed and agreed after the selection process is complete.

Can you provide anonymised examples of previous successful expressions of interest?

In line with the policy of the Schmidt Foundation not to provide examples of past applications, we do not provide examples of previous successful expressions of interest.

Your application should be personal to you and your scientific objectives, expressing your own experiences, ambitions and goals. One of the characteristics of a successful Schmidt expression of interest is that it is unique to the person applying.

For examples of successful research pivots, see the Directory of Fellows on the Schmidt website.