The British Council is providing funding to enable higher education and research institutions to host international cohorts of early-career researchers as part of the Early Career Fellowships scheme.

Proposals are welcomed that demonstrate innovative ways to support Early Career Fellows, possibly travelling with dependents, to ensure they derive the most benefit from their research period in the UK.

It is anticipated 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.

UK institutions can apply to host cohorts of early-career researchers from Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Proposed Fellowships should address shared research priority areas specific to the country/territory to where the cohort is from.

The call is open to UK higher education and research institutions eligible to receive UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding. Institutions must also be listed on the UK Home Office Register of Student Route Sponsors (approved ‘Education Providers’) and be QAA/OfS/SFC/HEFCW/DfE inspected and approved.

The grant is worth £180,000 to fund three Early Career Fellows over 6-12 months. 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.

(This Bulletin article was the subject of a ResearchConnect news alert.)