University of Warwick Early Career Innovation Fellowships 2020, UK

The Early Career Innovation Fellowship scheme supports post-doctoral researchers from all disciplines at Warwick. The fellowships will provide training and support for the Fellow to deliver:

• translation of research for the economic, societal or cultural benefit of external stakeholders
• transfer of innovations, expertise and research capabilities to non-academic collaborators, particularly SMEs, in alignment with the UK’s Industrial Strategy
• exploration of potential career transitions from academia to employment in public, private or third sectors including the formation of new organisations
• establishment of collaborations with non-academic partners through which they may participate in and benefit from future research projects.
• Identification of commercialisation opportunities for Warwick-derived research

Fellows will undertake an agreed programme based on their needs and the project objectives, comprising the following activities:

• Training in the following areas;
  • Evaluation of the research outputs for innovation
  • Identification and prioritisation of potential applications
  • Networking and how to identify potential partners/collaborators/users
  • Validation of the research value with potential beneficiaries
  • Pathways by which to transfer innovation
  • This training will involve one-to-one mentoring by a Warwick Ventures Business Development Manager (BDM) and any formal training sessions run by Warwick Ventures (e.g Wi2i - Innovation to Impact)
• Application of the training, supported throughout by the Warwick Ventures BDM, with the aim of translating their research through:
  • Identification and engagement with potential partners and beneficiaries of their research outputs and expertise
  • Meeting partners and beneficiaries to validate the benefits offered by their innovation and identify routes for its translation
  • Development of research innovations to align with the needs and objectives of potential partners, beneficiaries and users
  • Building constructive, ongoing relationships with business mentor(s), the Warwick Ventures team and innovation partners
  • Exploration of translational grant funding opportunities;
  • Running stakeholder workshops or symposia

Fellows will have access to the Warwick Library, IT services and to hot-desking, and seminar room facilities at the IAS and Warwick Ventures. Fellows will also be invited to attend elements of the existing IAS training programmes appropriate to the ECIF programme as well as other activities undertaken by the IAS community.

Eligibility

PhD candidates at the University of Warwick whose thesis is under examination.

Applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis for examination within the six months prior to the start date of the ECIF. Applicants may begin the ECIF whilst awaiting viva.

The fellowship is not intended to provide financial support to students in the completion of their thesis. Applicants offered an award who are subsequently unable to submit their thesis for examination before the start of the ECIF may have the award withdrawn.

Potential applicants are advised to consult with the IAS (IAS@warwick.ac.uk) if they have any queries regarding their eligibility before the submission of their application. Applicants will be be employed in their current academic department. The application must be supported by the applicant’s current supervisor and academic department.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Applicants must be post-doctoral researchers who are currently employed in a salaried position at Warwick. Funding can only be used to extend the duration of an existing post, either as a secondment from the current role or as an extension at the end of a fixed term position. Successful ECIF applicants will have their existing contract extended and will be continue to be employed as in their current academic department. The application must therefore be supported by the applicant’s current line-manager and academic department.

Funding

The source of funds for ECIF comes from a variety of agencies and fellows will be funded from the most appropriate. The different funding sources come with some financial constraints which may, for example, affect end dates or duration of the ECIF. This should be discussed with the BDM during the application process.

Currently the ECIF Scheme has funding from EPSRC and so can only fund projects which align with this funder's priorities.

Fellowships will be awarded for six months, with the possibility to extend to 12 months upon satisfactory progress and if sufficient funds are available. The Fellowships are normally available on a full-time basis and fellows should not have any other employment during the Fellowship.

As part of the award, up to £10K will be available to support travel and other costs of creating these outcomes.

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.