1. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Research Career Opportunities Geosciences Anne Sofie Laegran a.s.laegran@ed.ac.uk Janet Ball janet.ball@ed.ac.uk

2. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 What is the difference between a fellowship and a research grant? Fellowships are about the person Grants are about the research project

3. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Investment in your researcher career Clearly defined programme of study as opposed to one single project Some continuation of PhD – others new Dissemination and publication Career development and training Fellowships

4. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 ESRC Postdocs Social Science 1 year, 20-30% success rate, no deadline New: Apply within 3 years of completed PhD British Academy Postdocs Humanities,Social Science – within 3 year of PHD 3 years, 5% success rate, 15 October Leverhulme Early Career All fields, ‘between the gaps’ – under 35 y.o. 2 years, 8% success rate, Mid March School has to commit 50%

5. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Other schemes Nuffield New Career Development ‘Advancement of social well-being’ Collaboration between senior and junior ESRC Fellowships - 2-3 years (also for tenured staff) Career development at any stage Research and networking or Consolidate and synthesise Royal Society of Edinburgh Need 2-6 years postdoc experience BP Trust Research Fellowships (Geological Sciences) Scottish Executive Personal Research Fellowships (any field but benefit to Scotland) Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland (aging population)

6. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 NERC Fellowships – postdoctoral and advanced environmental science research – freshwater, Earth, atmospheric, marine, terrestrial, Earth observation, polar particularly encourage applications to work across environmental science and engineering and social and/or economic research Deadline passed for this year http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/fellowships/re searchsubjects.asphttp://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/fellowships/re searchsubjects.asp

7. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 EPSRC Fellowships - Postdoctoral – recent PhD, establish independent research career - mathematical sciences, theoretical computer science, life science interface, theoretical physics and engineering. Career acceleration fellowships- Up to 5 years of funding for talented researchers 3-10 years of postdoctoral experience. Leadership fellowships - Up to 5 years of funding, must have potential to develop into future research leaders/permanent academic post. Deadline passed for this year http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Opportunities/Fellowships/default.htm Daphne Jackson Fellowships aimed at enabling scientists to return to professions following a career break owing to family commitments. The Fellow re- trains in the context of a guided research project, carried out on a flexible, part-time basis at a convenient University http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Opportunities/Fellowships/def ault.htmhttp://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Opportunities/Fellowships/def ault.htm

8. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 The Royal Society supports scientists from postdoctoral level to senior professorships and also offers grants for a variety of purposes ranging from conference travel to the modernisation of laboratories. Runs a series of schemes to enhance UK science base, fosters collaboration between UK based and overseas scientists. Fellowships enable talented young scientists to build independent careers by providing salaries, research expenses and a range of other non-financial support. Fellowships include: University Research Fellowships Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships Industry Fellowships Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowships Fellowships to the UK from Asia Fellowships to the UK from USA Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards Research Professorships provide long-term support for world- class scientists, allowing them to focus on research and collaboration.

9. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 The main sponsors of research grants Economic and Social sciences: ESRC Arts and Humanities: AHRC Natural and Environmental Sciences: NERC Biotechnology and Biological sciences - BBSRC Engineering and physical sciences: EPSRC ‘Advancement of social well-being’: Nuffield Foundation Natural Sciences: Royal Society Interdisciplinary, ‘between the gaps’: Leverhulme Trust

10. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Principal/Co-Applicant versus Research Assistant Some schemes require the applicant to be a tenured member of staff Others won’t cover the salary of the applicant Most allow for a named researcher to be employed on the grant Researcher Co-Investigator - (BBSRC, NERC and EPSRC only)

11. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 ESRC Schemes Small Grants – <£100 000 – ca 1 year basic Standard Grants - <1.5 mill – (normally 2-3 years) First Grants – for established staff

12. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 AHRC Schemes Applicants have to be on contract outliving the research project Possible to be named researcher

13. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 NERC Research Grants environmental science research – freshwater, Earth, atmospheric, marine, terrestrial, Earth observation, polar New Investigators Competition - closing date 1 February Standard Research Grants - closing dates 1 July and 1 December Consortium Grants - closing dates 1 July & 1 December Partnership Research Grants - closing dates 1 July & 1 December Small Research Grants- closing date 1 September Urgency Applications - no closing date Research Councils and MOD Joint Grants Scheme - these can be standard, consortium or partnership grants.

14. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Leverhulme Research Project Applicant may ask for teaching replacement up to 33% Appointment of research assistants

15. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 The Royal Society Research grants offer up to £15,000 for equipment to support promising research in any discipline within the Society's remit. The Paul Instrument Fund enables the design, construction and maintenance of novel physical instruments needed for research in the physical sciences. The Dudley Stamp Memorial Fund provides grants for young, postgraduate students engaged in full or part-time geography related research. History of science - aims to promote scholarship and encourage research into the history of science and provides a number of different grant schemes. International Grants enables high calibre UK scientists to initiate collaborations, exchange ideas, develop new skills and experience from the world's leading researchers http://www.royalsociety.ac.uk/page.asp?id=1112

16. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 What makes a good application? Read guidelines and follow them! Convince specialists and engage non- specialists Methodology, methodology, methodology Fellowships: Clear plans for skill development Contact referees in advance Justification of Resources

17. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Yes! Use the same idea… …but read guidelines and tailor each application to the scheme!!! Same idea may also be developed into a research grant proposal… Can I apply for several schemes?

18. Geosciences8 Nov 20075 December 2006 Support available Help selecting the right scheme: Anne Sofie Laegran (Humanities and Social Sciences) Examples of successful applications www.eri.ed.ac.uk/hss www.eri.ed.ac.uk/hss Help costing up your application: Janet Ball Application needs School approval: Alison Stirling and Sue Mclachlan