Preparing for a fellowship interview (PDF , 106kb)

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Some funders will invite you to interview after you’ve submitted a written application. In this guide, you’ll learn more about how to prepare. What format do interviews take? The format and structure depends on the funder. When you’re invited to interview, funders will explain the format of the interview in an email. Many funders ask you to give a short presentation on your research proposal, followed by questions from the interview panel. Some funders provide a list of topics in advance. Familiarise yourself with the scheme Take part in a mock interview Reread: • The scheme’s overview and aims • The assessment criteria • Your application • Reviewers’ comments, if provided This will help you to anticipate what questions the panel might ask. This should involve senior colleagues who are familiar with the scheme, and non-experts, to practice communicating to different audiences. Encourage your panel to ask tough questions – this is excellent practice for the real thing! What should I do to prepare for an interview? What kinds of questions might I be asked? Fellowship funders are usually interested in the 3Ps: Person, Project and Place: Research your panel Find out who’s on your panel and spend some time researching their work. Are they experts in your field, or will they be approaching your work as non-experts? This will help you to tailor the level of technical detail you mention during the interview. Person Why are you the right person for this funding? How will you use the fellowship to develop your skills? Project How is your work innovative? If panels are made up of experts, they often ask technical questions about the methodology and approach. Place What kind of support will the host provide? Why is the host organisation the best place for this research? At York, we also keep a list of commonly asked questions which is regularly updated.

Research areas