ESRC meets PhD studentsProfessor Chris Phillipson

ESRC Training and Development Board

Role of the Training and Development Board

The role of the Board is:• to support the growth and development of a high quality UK

social science research base wherever it exists

The Board currently supports:

• over 2,000 1+3 and +3 studentships

• over 100 postdoctoral fellowships

• advanced training provision, through specialist activities such as the accreditation of research training and the Researcher Development Initiative

• New First Grants Scheme

Research Careers for a New Strategy

Centres

Research Masters

+3 Studentship

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Small Grant

Large GrantMid-career Fellowship

First Grant Scheme

Professorial Fellowship

Priority Networks/

Groups

Research Opportunities

On-going Training and Development

ESRC Studentship Support

Current stock of 2275 research studentships with 700 new awards each year

Not funding students to do a PhD

Funding the training of new researchers

The value of 1+3 research training

Equipping young researchers to undertake cutting edge research either within or outside academia

Training in quantitative and qualitative methods and in transferable skills

Demonstrate ability to apply rather than merely acquire skills

Advanced training throughout doctoral period

Training outcomes are what counts, not the PhD

Development of highly skilled and professional researchers

What ESRC Studentships Offer

Quality Training in Recognised places Fees payments Maintenance Grants Research Training Support Grants Overseas Fieldwork Expenses Language Training Other Additional Financial Support

Beyond the PhD

Postdoctoral Fellowships one year of funding for new researchers immediately after the submission of their doctorate

First Grants (up to £400k)to assist new researchers and academics at the start of their careers to gain experience of managing and leading research projects.

Small Research Grants (up to £100k)for new researchers making their first application to the ESRC

Research Fellowshipsan opportunity for both senior and less experienced researchers to undertake a two to three year period of concentrated research activity.

Other targeted initiatives

Such as the interdisciplinary early career research fellowship scheme offered as a part of the following three cross-Council research programmes

The Researcher Development Initiative(RDI)

New scheme introduced in 2005

The purpose of the RDI is to provide opportunities for deepening and refreshing the skills base development throughout the academic life-course

How will it do this? a range of training and development activities link activities with other activities and resources funded by

ESRC e.g National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) development of a robust training infrastructure

Type of activities

Three strands:

1. Activities specifically for research students2. Activities for research students and/or researchers3. Development of new tools and packages to stimulate the

uptake and use of new and emerging methods

15 projects currently underway

RDI website is www.rdi.ac.uk and gives details of current projects funded and the activities taking place over the next few years

Future Developments

More strategic capacity building activities through a process of targeted interventions

More flexible in developing training provision to meet the different needs and challenges of specific disciplines

Impact on quality of research base and career structure

Finished a PhD…Now what?

Melanie Knetsch ESRC

Research Training and Development

PhD funding (700 each year)

Joint Research Council Studentships (MRC and NERC)

Joint Collaborative Studentships (With Government)

CASE studentships Quota Nominated Studentships Open Competition Studentships Grant Linked Centre Linked

Who is Eligible to Apply for a Studentship?

Students in the first 2 years of their PhD are eligible

EU Nationals and UK permanent residents are eligible

Interested? Speak to your department

Finished my PhDWhat Options Are There?

Centres

Research Masters

+3 Studentship

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Small Grant

Large GrantMid-career Fellowship

First Grant Scheme

Professorial Fellowship

Priority Networks/

Groups

Research Opportunities

On-going Training and Development

What is a Postdoctoral Fellowship?

• You must start within 1 year of completing your doctorate (including Professional Doctorates)

• Applications are welcome from all disciplines /nationalities

• Designed to enable new researchers to:

• Produce publications

• Disseminate their research

• Improve research skills

• Carry out LIMITED research related to PhD work (CONSOLIDATION)

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• They are not designed for new research

• Applicants must be employed by institution (and eligible to work in the UK)

• Applicants required to have a mentor (submit a 1 page plan outlining their involvement and CV)

• Applicants required to nominate referee at institution where award is held (cannot be mentor)

Post Docs: Process of Applying

• Through responsive (open) mode

• Sent to external referees (nominated one?) for grading

• There will be three Panel meetings held throughout the year - end of March, July and November

• You must allow at LEAST 18 weeks before the panel meeting (refereeing process)

• Via on-line form – Joint Electronic Submissions

• https://je-s.rcuk.ac.uk

The First Grant Scheme - Eligibility

For staff at HEIs and Independent Research Organisations

Must not have been a ‘PI’ or ‘Co-I’ on a successful award

Must be within 6 years of completing doctorateORWithin 4 years if academic appointment immediately

followed Doctorate completing

First Grants – General Information

• Up to 3 years in length

• Up to £400,000 (100% FEC = £320,000 ESRC 80%)Note: Only able to request 40% of investigator time

• Call opens once a year (advertised in the fall)– the last call closed 11 Jan 2006

• Refereed and considered at a Panel meeting• Designed to allow new researchers to gain experience • Apply Via J-eS

Small Grants •Applications up to £99,999

•Researchers attached to HEI can apply

•Assessed by a) ESRC staff (eligibility)

b) A member of Research Grants Board

c) A member of the Virtual College

•Process takes approx 14 weeks

•Apply via J-eS

ESRC Web site: www.esrc.ac.uk

How to Apply for These Schemes

• Check the ESRC website• Reading the Funding Guidelines• Read the Guidance Notes for the Scheme• Read the J-eS Guidance Notes for the scheme• If you require assistance:

1) speak to someone in your department2) Contact the person at the ESRC – name should be in

Guidance Notes or on web page

Filling in the J-eS Form You must be a registered user in J-eS – your

institution will approve you Complete all sections carefully: check word /

character limits Read the Guidance Notes and Scheme Specific Help

Text again! Give yourself time Give your department and J-eS approver time at the

institution Remember, closing dates and times are strict – it

will not be submitted immediately!

Writing a Case for Support – Some Tips

• Referees can only read what you put in your application

• Don’t assume people will infer details / facts• Sub-headings – they help organise • Have you explained the How and Why?• Has Dissemination been innovative?• Have you re-read the scheme Guidance Notes and

answered ALL aspects required

How to Improve Your Application• Inform your nominated referee BEFORE

submitting application (you cannot contact them after submission)

• State clearly WHAT you are planning• Show a timeline• Ensure you complete the form (case for support)

– but ask for advice• Check the costs: expected salary, equipment

necessary?

Contacts at the ESRC

• Postgraduate Studentships: ptdenquries@esrc.ac.uk

• Postdoctoral Fellowships: ptdenquries@esrc.ac.uk

• Research Grants (including small grants): rtdenquries@esrc.ac.uk