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Offering up to £50,000 over three to twenty-four months for experienced researchers to conduct a programme of research in any discipline. Research Fellowships are open to experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. Awards are not limited to those holding appointments in higher education.
ValueThe maximum value of a Fellowship is £50,000. The awards provide research expenses over and above normal living costs and/or provide a contribution towards reasonable replacement costs or loss of earnings. Duration Fellowships are tenable for between 3 and 24 months, and the current round of awards must commence between 1 June 2016 and 1 May 2017. The 2016 round opens on 1 September 2015. The closing date for applications is 12 November 2015 at 4pm. Eligibility and application informationContactsAnna Grundy (020 7042 9861), Bridget Kerr (020 7042 9862) or Andreas Heiner (020 7042 9863) |
Leverhulme Trust – International Networks
| Up to £125,000 over up to three years to allow a UK-based researcher to build a new collaborative research project with overseas institutions. First-stage outline applications can be submitted at any time.These collaborations enable a Principal Investigator based in the UK to lead a research project where its successful completion is dependent on the participation of relevant overseas institutions.A significant research theme must be identified at the outset which requires for its successful treatment international collaboration between one or more UK universities, and two or more overseas institutions (up to a maximum of seven institutions in total). Networks must be newly constituted collaborations. Applicants should provide an explicit statement as to why a network is the most appropriate format for addressing the chosen research theme.
Full justification should be given for the involvement of all participants, with each participant bringing specific – and stated – expertise which can directly contribute to the success of the project. Details of the proposed methodology for the research project should be provided at the outset, as well as a clear indication of the anticipated outcomes (publications, websites), and of the dissemination strategy to be adopted. Value and DurationAwards are normally made up to £125,000, although requests for higher amounts will be considered if an appropriate case can be made. Grants are made for periods of no more than three years. Eligible research areasThe following guidelines are drawn to the attention of potential applicants:
If you are uncertain about eligibility, telephone or email the Trust before submitting an application. The Trust’s approach to grant-makingSpecific attention is paid to the reasons given by applicants in justifying their choice of the Trust as the most appropriate agency for the support of their project. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to consult the statement on the Leverhulme Trust’s approach to grant-making. Costs, eligibility and application informationThere are no deadlines for Outline Applications, and their assessment is normally completed within three months
ContactNicola Thorp (020 7042 9872) |
Winston Churchill memorial trust: Travelling fellowships
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust invites applications for its travelling fellowships. These enable British citizens to travel overseas in order to bring back knowledge and best practice for the benefit of others in UK professions and communities. Applications are invited in the following areas of research:
•crafts and makers;
•designers;
•early years prevention and intervention;
•education;
•environment, sustainable living and horticulture;
•medicine, health and patient care;
•mental health;
•new approaches to housing;
•science, technology and innovation;
•young people;
•open category.
Applicants must be British citizens, resident in the UK and at least 18 years old by the end of the year.
Grants usually support travel for four to eight weeks and cover economy return flights to the UK, internal travel in the destination countries, and food and accommodation while travelling. Visa fees, vaccinations cost and insurance are also paid for.
http://www.wcmt.org.uk/apply
Closing date 22 Sep 15
H2020 marie Curie Individual Fellowships
The goal of Individual Fellowships is to enhance the creative and innovative potential of experienced researchers wishing to widen their experience in terms of skill acquisition at multi- or interdisciplinary level through advanced training, international and intersectoral mobility.
Individual Fellowships provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new knowledge and to work on research in a European context (EU Member States and Associated Countries) or outside Europe. The scheme particularly supports the return and reintegration of researchers from outside Europe who have previously worked here. It also develops or helps to restart the careers of individual researchers that show great potential, considering their experience.
Support is for individual, trans-national fellowships awarded to the best or most promising researchers for employment in EU Member States or Associated Countries, based on an application made jointly by the researcher and host organisation in the academic or non-academic sectors.
Fellowships are either European Fellowships or Global Fellowships. European Fellowships are held in EU Member States or Associated Countries and are open to researchers currently within and outside Europe.
Support to individuals to resume research in Europe after a career break, e.g. after parental leave, is ensured via a separate multi-disciplinary career restart panel of the European Fellowships. To qualify for the career restart panel, researchers must not have been active in research for at least 12 months immediately prior to the deadline for submission.
Researchers receiving an Individual Fellowship may opt to include a secondment phase in Europe, notably in the non-academic sector, within the overall duration of their fellowship. For a fellowship of 18 months or less, the secondment phase may last up to three months. For a fellowship of more than 18 months, the secondment phase may last up to six months. The secondment phase can be a single period or be divided into shorter mobility periods. The secondment should significantly add to the impact of the fellowship.
A Career Development Plan should be established jointly by the supervisor(s) and the researcher. In addition to research objectives, this plan comprises the researcher’s training and career needs, including training on transferable skills, planning for publications and participation in conferences.
Expected impact:
• Individual Fellowships are expected to add significantly to the development of the best and most promising researchers active in Europe, in order to enhance and maximise their contribution to the knowledge-based economy and society.
• Individual Fellowships are expected to strengthen the contact network of both the researcher and the host organisation.
• Individual Fellowships are expected to contribute the full potential of researchers and to significant development in their careers in both the academic and non-academic sectors.
• Some researchers will be resuming a research career in Europe after a break, or reintegrating within Europe after living abroad.
Deadline: 10-09-2015 17:00:00 (Brussels local time)
Further details: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/calls/h2020-msca-if-2015.html#tab2
Valuing Nature programme, Announcement of Opportunity: Understanding the Value of the Natural Environment for Improving Human Health & Wellbeing
NERC, the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), are announcing a major new joint investment as part of the Valuing Nature Programme. This will provide an opportunity for natural and social scientists, arts and humanities researchers to form substantial interdisciplinary research collaborations (with relevant reference to health sciences), to increase understanding of the role and value of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in relation to human health and wellbeing.
The focus of the call will be on understanding the value of the UK’s natural environment for human health (physical and mental) and wellbeing within and across the following three areas:
- natural hazards and extreme weather events
- human exposure to pathogens and aquatic toxins
- urban ecosystems.
As a part of the call proposals should seek to combine different approaches, expertise, methods and/or data to explore cross-cutting themes such as:
- historical, spatial and temporal dynamics of value
- cultural and social contexts of value
- optimising value through evidence-informed design of interventions.
A funding pot of up to £3·96m (80% FEC) from NERC, AHRC and ESRC is available, which is expected to support between three and six interdisciplinary proposals of up to three years duration.
Applicants should refer to the full Announcement of Opportunity for further details.
Announcement of Opportunity (PDF, 237KB)
Call closes: 22 September 2015
Contacts
For further information about this Announcement of Opportunity, please contact:
Victoria Fairweather
01793 411736
valuingnature@nerc.ac.uk
Interdisciplinary innovation awards: Conflict, Crime and Security
The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, as part of Research Councils UK’s Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security, invite applications for their interdisciplinary innovation awards.
These support the development of innovative, high risk, interdisciplinary research, exploratory or pilot studies, or the development of new partnerships and collaborations addressing issues of central relevance to the PaCCS conflict theme.
The theme brings together security research and other activities that are sensitive to the changing global context and have an impact in the prediction, detection, prevention and reduction of security threats. Priority areas include conflict, transnational organised crime and cybersecurity.
Applications must be submitted by the principal investigator’s research organisation, which may be a higher education institution recognised by the ESRC or AHRC for submitting applications, or an ESRC- or AHRC-recognised independent research organisation.
The principal investigator or any co-investigator must either have a PhD or be of postdoctoral standing, and have the skills and experience to undertake their outlined role.
Awards are worth up to £80,000 each, covering 80 per cent of full economic cost, over a maximum period of 18 months. Approximately eight to 12 awards are available.
A second call for Interdisciplinary Research Grants (up to 48 months and between £400,000 and £800,000 fEC) aims to support innovative interdisciplinary research proposals addressing one or more of the following strands within the Conflict theme:
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New Perspectives on the Changing Character and Mosaic of Conflict, and Transitions to and from Conflict, through Time
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Community Experiences of, and Responses to, Conflict
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Conflict in the Information Age
The AHRC and ESRC are contributing to a ‘common pot’ of up to £4m to these joint PaCCS calls on conflict to support interdisciplinary research innovation which crosses the remits of the two Councils; in addition, the EPSRC has indicated that it would be willing to consider co-funding projects on a case by case which cross into its remit, particularly in relation to the connections between conflict and digital technologies and/or cyber-security.
Deadline 22 Oct 15 Applications due by 4pm.
www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/PaCCS-Conflict-Theme-–-2-Funding-Calls.aspx
Former UK chief scientist joins European selection panel
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Former UK chief scientific adviser David King is among the trio selected to choose European Commission’s High Level Group of scientific advisers.
Carlos Moedas, the European Union’s research commissioner, announced today that David King, now the UK foreign secretary’s special representative for climate change, will be assisting the Commission in choosing advisers for the Scientific Advice Mechanism.
King will join Rianne Letschert, chairwoman of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences’ Young Academy, and António Vitorino, former European Commissioner for Justice and Internal Affairs, to form an identification committee that will define the criteria for identifying members of the High Level Group, in addition to making their own recommendations.
The High Level Group will comprise seven scientific advisers who will offer the Commission independent scientific advice to support policy decisions. A press release said the group would draw on the “wide range of scientific expertise in Europe through a close relationship with national academies, universities, research organisations and specialised EU bodies”.
The EU’s Scientific Advice Mechanism was created in response to criticism at the decision of EU president not to renew the post of chief scientific adviser to the Commission president following the departure of the first holder of the post Anne Glover in November 2014.
Newton Advanced Fellowships
Newton Advanced Fellowships is a new programme introduced in 2014 and provided under the Newton Fund, which is part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment.
Newton Advanced Fellowships provide early to mid-career international researchers who already have a track record with an opportunity to develop their research strengths and capabilities, and those of their group or network, through training, collaboration and visits with a partner in the UK.
The award enables international researchers based in a country covered by the Newton Fund to establish and develop collaborations with the UK with the intention of transferring knowledge and research capabilities.
The skills and knowledge gained should contribute to advancing economic development and social welfare of the partner country.
Aims
The aim of the Newton Advanced Fellowships is to:
- Support the development of a well-trained research community who can contribute to advancing economic development and social welfare of the partner country by transferring new skills and creating new knowledge.
- Strengthen research excellence in partner countries by supporting promising independent, early to mid-career researchers and their research groups and networks to develop their research through training, collaboration, reciprocal visits and the transfer of knowledge and skills from the UK.
- Establish long-term links between the best research groups and networks in partner countries and the UK to ensure that improvements in research capacity are sustainable in the longer term.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent research experience and hold a permanent or fixed-term contract in an eligible university or research institute in a partner country, which must span the duration of the project. Collaborations should focus on a single project involving the overseas-based researcher (“the Applicant”) and a UK-based researcher (“the Co-applicant”). Applicants should have not more than 15 years postdoctoral research experience.
The British Academy Newton Advanced Fellowships cover researchers working in all disciplines within the social sciences and humanities.
Applicants in the natural sciences and medical sciences (including clinical or patient-orientated research) should apply for a Newton Advanced Fellowship to the Royal Society and Academy of Medical Sciences.
For more details on eligibility please see the detailed scheme notes.
Note that some partner countries have specific eligibility requirements so please check the guidance carefully.
Newton Advanced Fellowships awarded by the British Academy are currently only available for researchers in the following countries:
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Thailand
Please note that Newton Advanced Fellowships for Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa will reopen in January 2016.
Value and Duration
Fellowships are available for either one year or two years depending on the Newton Fund partner country. Each award provides funding for a salary top-up (only available for the overseas researcher), research support, travel and subsistence, and training. In some cases, additional support is available from match funders. Please refer to the scheme notes for the country from which you are applying for more details.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online using the British Academy’s electronic Grant Application and Processing (eGAP) system. For the assessment criteria please see the detailed scheme notes.
- Application deadline: 16 September 2015
- Referee deadline: 24 September 2015
- Decisions made: December 2015
- Fellowships must start not later than 31 March 2016
New funding call – Mexico – UK collaboration: agroindustry, energy, health
Innovate UK and the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT) are to invest up to £6 million in collaborative research and development projects to stimulate innovation across three sectors that underpin future Mexican socio-economic growth:
- agroindustry
- energy
- health
This investment from the UK has been made possible through the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills-managed Newton Fund: www.newtonfund.ac.uk
The aim of the competition is to bring together companies (small-to-medium-sized companies and/or larger, well established businesses), research organisations, academics and other collaborators from Mexico and the UK for the joint R&D of innovative products, processes or services that meet critical challenges existing within these three sectors. The principal market a project must consider is Mexico.
Projects must be collaborative, involving both UK and Mexican participants. On the UK side, projects must be business-led, and can involve other non-business partners.
Innovate UK and CONACYT are running parallel application processes under this competition. The UK applicants (that is the UK side of each project collaboration) must apply through Innovate UK; the UK applicant’s Mexican partners must apply through CONACYT.
For UK participants conducting industrial research, small or micro businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-sized businesses 60% and large businesses 50%.
We expect total UK project costs to be between £450,000 and £850,000 (although we will consider projects outside of this range) and projects to last between 12-24 months.
The UK lead partner must submit an application on behalf of all UK participants in a project to Innovate UK. The Mexican partner lead must submit an identical application on behalf of Mexican participants to CONACYT.
This competition opens on 25 June 2015, and the deadline for applications is at noon on 14 October 2015. UK applicants must register one week before the deadline, that is noon on 7 October 2015.
Scope
The scope for this competition has been kept intentionally broad to enable Innovate UK and CONACYT to understand where the interest in bilateral engagement on business-led innovation and commercialisation of research lies.
The competition will support businesses and researchers that can deliver innovative solutions to critical challenges that Mexico faces in the following three sectors:
- agroindustry
- energy
- health
Funding will be made available for collaborative research and development projects that will result in products, processes and services that provide solutions to key challenges existing within these three sectors. Projects should not only demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential, but also demonstrate that they will have a positive impact upon the economic development and social welfare of Mexico, beyond primary commercial interests.
Such challenges might relate to, for example:
- access to clean energy
- improving security of energy supply
- carbon abatement
- tackling emerging diseases of national relevance
- food security and nutritional challenges
- downstream food processing
For further information click here https://interact.innovateuk.org/competition-display-page/-/asset_publisher/RqEt2AKmEBhi/content/mexico-uk-collaborative-industrial-r-d-competition
If you are working with partners in Mexico within these areas and are interested in applying for this funding please contact Naomi Arblaster: n.arblaster@staffs.ac.uk, 01785 353519
Funding for : Research for health in humanitarian crises
The Department for International Development and the Wellcome Trust, via Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance, invite expressions of interest for their call for research for health in humanitarian crises. Funding supports collaborative projects that aim to improve health outcomes by strengthening the evidence base for public health interventions in humanitarian crises. This call is particularly seeking proposals on the following topics:
•communicable diseases, including epidemics;
•sexual and reproductive health or gender-based violence;
•cost effectiveness of health interventions;
•ethical issues in the context of public health operations or research during humanitarian crises.
All applications must involve at least one research institute and one humanitarian actor working in partnership. Only consortium applications are eligible, with lead applicants being legally registered research institutions, non-profit institutions, nongovernmental institutions, a UN agency, or public or governmental institutions. Private sector organisations may be project partners but may not act as lead applicants. Proposals must be submitted in English.
Projects may receive funding within the following two categories: core grants, which involves a two-stage application process and is the principal mechanism for funding research; rapid response grants, which fund research on public health interventions in the acute phase of a crisis.
The annual budget is worth approximately £2 million. Seed funding of up to £10,000 per project may be awarded to cover travel and other costs associated with bringing the various project partners together and to collect preliminary data to support the proposal.
Further details: www.elrha.org/r2hc/home/
Closing date for expressions of interest 20 Jul 2015
Full proposals due by 14 December 2015