British Academy Early Career Researcher Network Seed Fund

Support for British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) members over nine months to develop innovative individual or collaborative research projects and activities that enhance career progression, foster new initiatives and build experience in securing funding.

Established by Royal Charter in 1902, the British Academy is a registered charity and the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. It champions these fields by investing in research, engaging with the public and influencing policy. 

The Academy has launched the Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) Seed Fund seeks to support the career progression of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) by encouraging the development of new research initiatives over a nine-month period. The scheme is open to ECRN members for unique and innovative research projects, either as joint collaborations or individual efforts. It will give ERCs, particularly those with limited experience in securing funding, an opportunity to enhance their research portfolio and gain leverage for further funding from the Academy and other sources.

Examples of project activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Pump-priming activities (such as meetings, sandpits, away days, writing retreats) to develop new research projects, perhaps with small scale outputs that will lead to larger grant submissions.
• Research endeavours, including small equipment purchase, specialist services (eg transcription, videography, printing), venue hire, participant engagement incentives, travel and subsistence.
• Work linking research or outcomes to external partners and interested parties such as creative industries, charities, businesses, policymakers or government organisations, or for public and widening participation engagement activities.

Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects are encouraged, especially with organisations that are not higher education institutions and independent researchers outside of higher education institutions. The awards give an opportunity to develop new partnerships and explore innovative and more risky, novel concepts.