Value AD
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ALTERNATIVE
INVESTMENT
Early Career Fellowships in Research and Innovation 2024/25
· The British Council through the ISPF fellowships programme will provide funding to selected UK Universities and Research Institutions under this fellowship scheme. The scheme will fund at least three Early Career Fellowships covering all academic and living expenses and research in any of the four major themes outlined above.
· Grants under this programme allow fellows to collaborate internationally, and gain access to new research environments, facilities, knowledge, and expertise, to enhance the quality of their research environments and enable them to translate research and innovation into economic and societal benefit**.**
· We anticipate that the grant will support medium to long term partnerships between the hosting and sending institutions, contributing to research capacity strengthening at both individual and institutional levels, alongside support for the individual researcher. Successful proposals will demonstrate the short-medium term mutual benefit as well as plans for institutional collaboration past the fellowship term.
· Early Career Fellowships are specifically designed to widen participation and to support the careers of researchers from a variety of backgrounds, including those whose backgrounds are underrepresented in their research field.
· One of the key objectives of this fellowship scheme is to nurture talent to drive inclusion in Research & Innovation (R&I). Inclusion in research and innovation is defined as supporting those from underrepresented groups to have equal access to research opportunities and equal opportunities to do well (Evans & Zhu, 2022), and encourages better understanding of marginalized groups.
· This opportunity is available to early career researchers who have not yet held a permanent research-related post or academic post with a research specific element, who wish to
· Have a research experience at a UK university or research institution. This could include
converting their doctoral work into publications or other academic outputs and establishing new research relationships.
Eligibility Criteria
Please read the eligibility criteria carefully prior to developing your proposal, and especially in relation to: (a) focus of proposals, (b) countries that are eligible to participate in supporting ISPF early career fellow opportunities; (c) the eligibility of fellows, and (d) the eligibility of UK institutions.
6a. Focus of Proposals
· Proposed Fellowships should address shared research priority areas which are specific to the country/territory to where the cohort is from.
· The British Council supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. To fully align our science portfolio to this mission, we are unable to support research or research-related projects with military or security partners, or with military, security or dual-use impacts or outcomes. All applications will be reviewed to ensure alignment with this policy at the eligibility stage.
· UK Universities and Research Institutions will be asked to outline the holistic support to be offered to applicants and the Institution’s evidence of alignment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) values and Safeguarding requirements.
· UK Universities and Research Institutions will be asked to consider the following questions about the fellowships and their research area selected for consideration:
o How will you ensure gender equality and fairness in selecting and proposing hosting supervisors?
o How will you ensure fair selection processes for early career fellows of different genders?
Programmes that could have a negative impact on gender equality will not be funded.
· Proposed fellowships should consider how all efforts are being made to ensure that those with disabilities have equal access to this scheme and equal opportunities to succeed.
6b. Eligible Countries/Territories (See Appendix A)
This opportunity is open to early career researchers who are based in the countries/territories listed below:
Non-ODA
South Korea
Taiwan
6c. Eligibility and Selection of Fellows
The following guidelines will be considered for the selection of fellows. Fellows must:
· Be a permanent resident of the eligible country/territory- listed under section 6b – Eligible Countries/Territories (See also Appendix A).
· Be an Early Career Researcher2 and have a letter of acceptance from the hosting lab or department.
· Not currently in receipt of financial support or funding towards any other programme in the UK from any other sources.
· Meet the English language requirement of the UK HEI (Higher Education Institutions) if applicable.
· Have a background or a proven interest in the proposed research area. Indicate their preference for research areas and institutions in the case of applying to multiple institutions. Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after completing the fellowship programme.
· Agree to maintain contact with the British Council for purposes of monitoring and evaluation during and after their fellowship.
· Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other early career researchers from their home country.
· Employees of the British Council, the UK government or Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish governments are not eligible to apply for this programme.
2 Early Career Researchers (ECRs) have completed or are close to completion of their PhD, potentially waiting for their final viva voce examination, which must be passed prior to taking up the award. ECRs will not have held a permanent academic post or a permanent post with a research-related element, or one which allowed them to supervise PhD students or submit research grants as a principal investigator. Time spent in teaching-only roles or academic related roles does not affect ECR status, provided no research element was part of the role. If a researcher does not hold a PhD but has research experience equivalent to a PhD holder and works in a field where a PhD is not a prerequisite for established research activity, they can still be considered eligible. Participants from for-profit organisations cannot be funded. As we move toward greater inclusivity for ECRs from a wide range of backgrounds, we are no longer counting years spent in a specific career stage. Career breaks and alternative trajectories to an early academic career are all considered outside the definition of career stage
6d. UK Institutions Participation Criteria
· All participating institutions must be UK Higher Education Institutions or other UK institutions eligible to receive UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
· UK institutions should propose 6- to 12-month research fellowship programmes within each eligible subject area.
· If a fellowship lasts longer than one year, funding will be capped for the first year only. The costs of any subsequent years must be guaranteed and covered in full by the UK institution and to the same level as in year 1 with reasonable allowances for cost-of-living increases.
· UK hosting bodies will need to be able to sponsor short term visas, ideally under the Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) scheme, for temporary work (https://www.g.UK)ov.uk/government-authorised-exchange)..UK)
· UK institutions should demonstrate how they will connect applicants with industry partners where relevant and provide opportunities for internships, placements, or networking for the fellows.
· UK institutions should demonstrate how they can add value through their collaborative links between their institution and cohort country.
· UK institutions should demonstrate how they will support welfare and career development of applicants.
· UK institutions must ensure that their shortlisting and assessment panels are diverse in terms of gender, and any other protected equality characteristics. Panel members must take unconscious bias training. The British Council will carry out spot checks to ensure these requirements have been put in place
· Provide added value to the overall research and welfare experience, including but not limited to:
· Supporting Transitions into the UK
o Communications prior to arrival – including support for visa application, arrival to the UK etc.
o General information about adapting to living in the UK.
o Arranging accommodation or housing for the fellows.
o A nominated point of contact for any issues or concerns.
o Guidance about university support services including specialist services (disability support).
o Guidance about specific research support available at the university.
· Support at the UK Institution for the international fellowship experience
o Dedicated workspace and equipment
o Induction into research groups and relevant social networks
o Support including academic and personal mentoring.
o Provide holistic welfare support including, but not limited to, accommodation, mental health services, and support for fellows who are parents/carers.
o A nominated safeguarding focal point for any issues or concerns.
o To be fully integrated into the relevant research team, including participating in regular team meetings.
o Opportunities for skills and career development – including links with industry and networking.
o Opportunities to participate in research events (conferences, seminars, presentations).
o Opportunities to participate in collaborative research outputs (e.g., academic papers).
o Opportunities to meet with other early career fellows
o Collaborative opportunities with partners
· Supporting Transitions beyond the fellowship
o Supporting the early career fellow to build continued partnerships with hosting institution
o Establishing collaborative longer-term research activities between the hosting UK provider and sending institution that will benefit early career researchers in sending and hosting countries.
o Develop work with sending country on inclusive research cultures and sharing of good practice in this area.
Grants under the British Council ISPF fellowships programme allows fellows to collaborate internationally, and gain access to new research environments, facilities, knowledge, and expertise, to enhance the quality of their research environments and enable them to translate research and innovation into economic and societal benefit. The Early Career Fellowship Programme focuses on the Tomorrow’s Talent ISPF theme and has the following objectives:
· Provide the selected early career researchers with a foundation to launch their careers in research and innovation.
· To widen participation by increasing the number of opportunities for researchers including those whose backgrounds are underrepresented in their research field, and who have not yet held a permanent research-related post or academic post with a research specific element.
· The scheme has a focus on inclusivity: to provide up and coming researchers with a foundation to launch their careers, creating lasting benefits to the fellow and both the UK and the international partner country research communities through sustainable collaboration.
· Establish collaboration between hosting and sending institutions on one of the ISPF themes.
Timeline
Please consider the following indicative timeline for the implementation of this programme:
Date
Action
2 August 2024
Call opens for UK Higher Education Institutions
25 September 2024
Deadline for submission of proposal by HEIs (Higher Education Institutions).
October 2024
Panel assessments of proposals.
November 2024
The British Council notifies institutions of results.
November- December 2024
Grant agreements are signed between the British Council and participating institutions and grants are disbursed.
January 2025
Institutions to share promotional content to be used in overall marketing campaign for approval.
By 15 February 2025
Launch of the Fellowship marketing campaigns in all eligible countries/territories listed in this call.
By 15 February 2025
Application to apply for the scheme is open for fellows. Universities to advertise scheme on their portals and share link with British Council.
15 May 2025
Deadline for fellows to apply to the programme. The deadline is to be strictly followed by all successful Higher Education Institutions.
By 15 June 2025
Institutions submit shortlisted candidates to the British Council.
By 30 June 2025
British Council to confirm shortlisted candidates to HEIs. British Council to share Terms and Conditions document to be signed by selected fellows.
By 15 July 2025
Higher Education Institutions to make offer to selected fellows agreed with the British Council.
By 30 July 2025
HEIs to confirm receipt of signed copy of British Council Terms and Conditions from successful fellows.
15 August 2025
HEIs will submit a progress report (template issued by the British Council) to provide an update status on confirmed fellows, their details, and their expected arrival dates to the British Council.
August-September 2025
HEIs provide support to fellows for their arrival into the UK.
September / October / November 2025
Programmes start in the UK
30 November 2025
Deadline for HEIs to report proof of enrolment in the Fellowship programme.
April 2026
HEIs will submit an Interim report to the British Council and flag any issues with fellows at this time.
October 2026
HEIs will submit a final report to the British Council.
Call Deadline and How to Apply
To participate in this call, UK institutions are requested to complete the online Application Form and the Budget Template Annex 1 by 25 September 2024 at 12.00 pm (UK time).
Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered for funding.
The deadline applies to all parts of your application, including upload of fully completed supporting documentation. Any applications not submitted by the deadline with all the required supporting documents will be considered ineligible. Appeals against this decision will not be accepted.
Applicants for all calls must submit a completed online application form at the following link:
https://grants.britishcouncil.org/
You must register on the website before you can start your application form. The application form will be linked to this log in and password.
If you are unable to use the on-line application for reasons of accessibility, please contact us at
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