Frequently Asked Questions
When do the applications open and what is the deadline for submission?
The Lister Prize application forms are available from July and the deadline to return is September, please check the website and Linked in page for up to date information for this year. The date listed in September is a hard deadline and cannot be changed as we need to adhere to strict timelines so that the process runs smoothly for all.
What is the application process?
The deadline for submitting your application is in September. Please see here for this year’s timeline. All applications are then sent to members of our Scientific Committee (SC) for review. From the initial applications roughly a third are longlisted, you will be informed in January if you have been selected. In February, the longlisted applications are then sent out for independent, external peer review which is then shared with the SC for final evaluation and scoring. From this the shortlist is chosen and typically 10-11 are interviewed. Interviews are held in May at the Royal Society in London.
When does the award typically start/finish?
The award will start on the 1st October on the year that the Prize was awarded and finish on the 30th September of the fifth year.
Eligibility
I am an epidemiologist, am I eligible?
Yes, you are! As long as your research area comes under the umbrella of Biomedical Science then you are eligible, and we encourage you to apply.
When I look at the previous recipients of the Lister prize many of them have researcher profiles in the wet lab space rather than the clinical/technology domain. Is my profile still eligible for the prize?
Yes, absolutely. Although we acknowledge that a high number of our Fellows are focused on wet lab approaches at the Lister, we are open to all research environments spanning across biomedical science.
When does the 3-10 years post-doc start from?
The years post doc starts from when you are awarded your PhD or MD. We do take into account time away from research such as maternity leave or if you have been working full time in a clinical setting or full-time teaching post.
I am 10 years post doc however took 1 year out for maternity leave am I still eligible?
Yes, you are, any career breaks are considered. If you are unsure please contact secretary@lister-institute.org.uk with a summary of your career breaks and a copy of your CV. If you take the amount of time since you received your PhD and subtract the amount of time you have had for career breaks and that equals less than 10 years, you are eligible.
I am 10 years post-doc this September can I apply?
Yes, you are still eligible as long as you are within the 10 years post doc at the point of applying for the award.
Prize Money and Award Details
What can the prize money be spent on?
The Lister Award is a prize of a flat rate of £250,000 which can be spent over 5 years. How you spend the money is very flexible except you cannot pay for your own salary.
What you can do is to employ someone else to take over your teaching responsibilities for the duration of the award so that your time is freed up to focus on research. You can also employ a post doc, technician, or PhD student – whatever is best to support your research.
The funds can be used for running costs, equipment or to pay for central services. A contribution to overheads is also allowable, but this is charity funding and the University should use QR funding to cover overhead costs.
I currently have teaching responsibilities; can I continue with these duties if I am awarded a Lister Prize?
If you wanted to continue with your teaching/admin duties throughout the five years, then you may do that. Alternatively, it may be that you would want to use the money to fund a replacement to cover your commitments so that you can focus on your research. The award is extremely flexible, and the only rule is that you cannot use it for your own personal salary.
What if I am finished sooner than five years or need longer to spend the funds?
The Lister award is a Prize rather than a grant, so you are given the £250,000 to allocate as you wish over the 5-year period. With all of our Fellows the money is typically spent over a 5-year period. Extensions can be agreed with the Institute’s Director on an individual basis.