The freedom to succeed

‘The Freedom to Succeed, published in July 2005, is a review of non-clinical research fellowships in the biomedical sciences, focusing on the operation, successes and weaknesses of different UK fellowships schemes over the previous 20 years. Given the proliferation in biomedical research fellows over the preceding decade, many of whom were reaching the later stages of their fellowships, this review was initiated to investigate issues of sustainability and fitness for purpose. The study was conducted in the context of:

• Routes of entry into fellowships in early career period, such as developments in graduate and post-doctoral training;
• Routes of entry into mid and late career fellowships, such as fellowship renewal, temporary relief from lecturing or administrative duties; return or re-location to the UK ;
• Routes of exit from fellowships, such as interactions with funding agencies and host institutions.

The report defines a number of key principles and makes recommendations on how best use can be made of research fellowships by the holders, Higher Education Institutions and granting agencies.

Professor Keith Gull CBE FRS FMedSci (Chair)
Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow and Professor of Molecular Microbiology, University of Oxford

Dr Andrea Brand FMedSci
Director of Research in Developmental Neurobiology, University of Cambridge

Professor Richard Denton FRS FMedSci
Professor of Biochemistry, University of Bristol

Dr Anne Donaldson
Royal Society University Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen

Dr Darrell Evans
Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Professor Barry Furr OBE FMedSci
Chief Scientist and Head of Project Evaluation, AstraZeneca plc

Professor Gillian Griffiths FMedSci
Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow and Professor of Experimental Pathology, University of Oxford

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS FMedSci
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester

Professor Patrick Vallance FMedSci
Head, Division of Medicine, University College London