ESRC Postdoctoral FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

The Economic and Social Sciences (ESRC) postdoctoral fellowships offer a year-long opportunity for UK PhDs to develop their publications, build networks, research and professional skills.

The University of Warwick is a member of the Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Programme, where the applications will be submitted. Details of the application process are available hereLink opens in a new window. Call opened October 25, 2024. Closing Date: 4 pm, 25 March, 2024.

Key Internal Deadlines for the University of Warwick are as follows:

• Wednesday 15th January 2025 (23:59 GMT)-Applicants must have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) formLink opens in a new window. Applicants will be notified of their RIS contact within10 days of the EOI deadline.
• Monday 3rd March (10:00 GMT) - Latest date for draft proposals to be submitted to the assigned contact in RIS for review. Reviewed proposals will be returned to you by 11th March.
• Wednesday 19th March 2025 (12:00 GMT)- Latest date for final proposals including all costings to be submitted to the assigned contact in RIS for final checks and approvals.

The research support contact in RIS will work with applicants following the EOI to determine costings for the project. The total cost for each fellowship can include the following:

• Fellow’s salary costs
• Indirect costs
• Estate costs

Up to a maximum of £10,000 for all other costs (to include costs such as mentoring costs, travel and subsistence, conference attendance, training, and fieldwork, for example).

A copy of the email confirming support from the host department must be provided to the research support contact in RIS before the EOI can progress to the final application stage.

IAS Early Career FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

The Early Career Fellowship offers completing Warwick PhD candidates support and training to build an independent academic career.

Candidates must apply only to the round(s) for which they are eligible.

In 2024-25 the two call deadlines are:

• 5pm 10th December 2024: for candidates who will submit their thesis for examination between 1 October 2024 and 30 April 2025, with Fellowships commencing May 2025.
• Midday 27th April 2025: for candidates who will submit their thesis for examination between 1 May and 30 September 2025, with Fellowships commencing October 2025.

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship Competition Link opens in a new window

We regret to inform potential applicants that the Department is unable to support Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship applications for the 2024 - 2025 round.

Sociology has an excellent track record in supporting successful candidates for this scheme.

In general, expressions of interest (if support for the scheme is reinstated for the following academic year) would include:

• A draft proposal in Word which addresses the 'Research and Publications' section of the Leverhulme Trust ECF application form in the word length permitted
• An academic CV (2 pages maximum)
• A forwarded email or letter of support from the academic mentor in Sociology

The University limits the number of applications that each Department can submit due to the financial model on which the awards are made and the 50% match contribution required from the University. Therefore, there is normally an internal selection process in December (identifying applications to support). Decisions are normally reported to applicants by early January, ahead of the Leverhulme application deadline of February.

ESRC New Investigator GrantsLink opens in a new window

The ESRC New Investigator Grants are specifically aimed at supporting those looking to make the transition to an independent researcher through managing their first major research project. These grants replace the ESRC's Future Research Leaders scheme. The call is open to high-quality candidates from anywhere in the world who have a maximum of four years’ postdoctoral experience and the support of an eligible UK research organisation. Grants ranging from £100,000 to £300,000 full Economic Cost (fEC) can be awarded. There are no fixed closing deadlines, meaning a proposal can be submitted at any time.

British Academy Postdoctoral FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

The British Academy's Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme funds outstanding early career researchers who are within 3 years of PhD viva and who have not yet held a permanent academic post to complete significant piece of publishable research The fellowship provides funding for 3-year fellowships, supporting FEC salary costs plus up to £6000 for research expenses. The research project should strengthen their experience of research and teaching in a university environment with the aim of improving their prospects of obtaining permanent lecturing posts at the end of the project.

The scheme normally opens in July. Based on the call, internal deadlines will be announced.

British Academy International FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

The British Academy’s International Fellowships Programme provides support for outstanding early career researchers to make a first step towards developing an independent research career through gaining experience across international borders. Each award is expected to involve a specific and protected research focus with the award holder undertaking high quality, original research.

Applicants must have no more than 7 years active full time postdoctoral experience, be working outside the UK, and must not hold UK citizenship. 2-year fellowships providing FEC salary costs, research expenses and relocation costs.

Please visit the webpage for the scheme requirements and deadlines. The scheme normally opens in January.

EUTOPIA-SIF Postdoctoral FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

The Eutopia SIF postdoctoral fellowships are normally hosted by the Institute of Advanced Study at the University of Warwick (IAS), and need an academic mentor based in one of the academic departments or centres at Warwick.

• A support letter from the academic mentor is required in the application as part of the eligibility criteria. Applications without a valid support letter will not be eligible.
• The IAS is not able to broker connections between applicants and prospective academic mentors. Applicants are strongly advised to contact potential mentors directly to discuss their application.
• Further information is available in the Frequently Asked Questions or by emailing the IAS.

The EUTOPIA SIF Fellowship call normally opens in September with deadlines in December.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships scheme is for early career researchers who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. These fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors. Potential applicants should familiarise themselves with the scheme requirements and secure an agreement with an existing member of academic staff with whom they wish to develop their application.

There are two types of Postdoctoral Fellowships:

1. European Postdoctoral Fellowships. They are open to researchers moving within Europe or coming to Europe from another part of the world to pursue their research career. These fellowships take place in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country and can last between 1 and 2 years. Researchers of any nationality can apply.
2. Global Postdoctoral Fellowships. They fund the mobility of researchers outside Europe. The fellowship lasts between 2 to 3 years, of which the first 1 to 2 years will be spent in a non-associated Third Country, followed by a mandatory return phase of 1 year to an organisation based in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Only nationals or long-term residents of the EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply.

Newton International FellowshipsLink opens in a new window

This fellowship is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK.

To be eligible to apply you must:

• have a PhD, or will have a PhD by the time the funding starts
• have no more than seven years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application
• be working outside the UK
• not hold UK citizenship
• be competent in oral and written English

ESRC IAA Postdoctoral Impact FellowshipLink opens in a new window

As part of its activities, the Warwick ESRC IAA is funding up to six postdoctoral fellowships to support students at the conclusion of their PhD to explore how their research could be applied to the needs and challenges of organisations across different sectors, and to develop plans and programmes of activity to put this into practice.

Examples of fundable activities fellows might undertake could include (but are not restricted to):

• The creation of resources to engage specific stakeholders with research and/or to improve their capacity to effectively utilise research
• Collaborative activities for or with key stakeholders such as workshops, training programmes, or behaviour-change interventions
• Knowledge exchange events with non-academic stakeholders
• Activities to inform policy or to engage policymakers with research findings
• Activities to improve or strengthen research-user engagement
• Proof of concept and commercialisation activities

Applicants are encouraged to consider how the fellowship would enable them to utilise their PhD research to respond to clearly identified needs of specific non-academic stakeholders. Non-academic partners or stakeholders might include (but are not limited to): policymakers; businesses and social enterprises; third sector organisations; schools, teachers, their students and communities; service providers and practitioners; community groups; creative practitioners; NGOs and advocacy groups.

Projects concerned with innovating or creating change in the following areas are particularly encouraged:

• Policy engagement - particularly that which aligns with University and UKRI/ESRC priorities
• Work looking to support regional growth and development or ‘levelling-up’

For further information about this scheme – including award details and eligibility criteria - please visit the webpage. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Social Sciences Impact Team to discuss their proposals ( ESRCImpactAccount@warwick.ac.uk).

The Wellcome Trust Early Career AwardsLink opens in a new window

There are 3 calls per year for this scheme with Wellcome deadlines generally in February, May and October.

UKRI Policy Internship SchemeLink opens in a new window

This scheme provides opportunities for doctoral students funded by the Research Councils of UKRI to work for three months in one of a selected group of highly influential policy organisations.