The NERC Independent Research Fellowship (IRF) scheme is designed to develop scientific leadership among the most promising early-career environmental scientists.
The NERC gives all fellows five years' support, which will allow them sufficient time to develop their research programmes and to gain international recognition.
As part of this scheme, NERC will expand its fellowship networking and training activities, working with host institutions, to support the development of future leaders in NERC science.
IRF key dates:
- call opens for applications on Je-S - 5 June 2018
- call closes on Je-S - 2 October 2018
- Peer review - October 2018 - January 2019
- IRF sift meeting - 29-31 January 2019
- IRF sift meeting results available - mid-February 2019
- IRF interviews - 12-20 March 2019
- IRF interview results available - April 2019.
Application and assessment process
In order to identify future science leaders, the assessment process will concentrate on applicants' research potential, with track record assessed in a way that is appropriate to career stage. Applicants will be expected to:
- demonstrate their research vision and philosophy and outline ways in which their research could be developed over the five year fellowship;
- explain how they will contribute to the international research area and interact with the leading international groups in their field;
- explain how they will enable the potential economic or societal benefits of their research to be realised.
In order to demonstrate a commitment to the development of NERC IRFs, the head of department of the host institution will be required to demonstrate:
- the availability of structured institutional support, including infrastructure and facilities, funds to support research, and access to PhD students;
- support for personal development of the fellow, including mentoring, appropriate review, and training courses.
NERC has prepared a document answering some common queries about the Independent Research Fellowships.
Fellowship eligibility
NERC Independent Research Fellowships (IRFs) are open to researchers of any nationality and may be held in any area of the NERC remit, but must be based at an eligible UK research organisation. Applicants may not have a permanent academic position in a university or equivalent organisation.
Applicants must expect to submit their PhD thesis before the fellowship interviews would take place (April following the closing date) and, if successful, would not be able to take up the fellowship until the awarding university has confirmed its intent to award the PhD.
Applicants for NERC IRFs must have a maximum of eight years of full-time postdoctoral experience from the PhD certificate date to the closing date of the fellowship competition to which they are applying. The eight-year window is based on full-time working. Where applicants have worked part-time or had career breaks, the window would be extended accordingly.
Applicants should not have a permanent academic position (or the equivalent in institutions other than universities). NERC staff in Bands 5 and 6 only can apply for a fellowship and, if successful, would have to resign from their position in order to take up the fellowship.
Current NERC Postdoctoral Fellows are eligible to apply for a subsequent NERC IRF, provided they meet the eligibility criteria above.
The full eligibility requirements - including those related to the research topic, host institution and resubmission policy - are in the research grants and fellowships handbook.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.