IAS Fellowships
- University Research Fellowships (URF) 2013/2014
- University Senior Research Fellowships (SRF) 2013/2015
- IAS Research Fellowships (IASRF) 2013/2014
- Translational Neuroscience Research Fellowships (TNRF) 2013/2014
University Research Fellowships (URFs) 2013/2014
These awards enable academic staff of the University of Bristol to carry out a dedicated research project lasting twelve months. The financial support of £10,000 is solely to help Heads of School/Department cover the costs of replacement teaching, assessment and clinical responsibilities during that period.
Conditions of award
Award holders are expected to devote their whole time and attention to the stated project, and thus to have no other significant research commitments during the award year. Any envisaged funding complications that might cut across the URF must be discussed in advance with the Director of IAS. Any changes of circumstance or topic must immediately be notified. The basic rule of thumb is that URF resources must always redound to the IAS and not be used by schools/departments for other purposes if the stated research cannot be undertaken as envisaged and agreed at time of award.
It is possible, but not normal, for a URF award to span two separate academic years if a case can be made that the school/department’s teaching block structure is not readily alterable.
Following the completion of the URF period, a report (2-3 pages) must be submitted which details and frankly assesses the conduct, progress and outcomes of the research funded, and how it might lead to further highest-quality work. Explanations must be provided where activities and outputs do not exactly match those specified in the initial proposal.
Criteria for award
During the application process, faculties (Deans and Faculty Research Directors) are asked to rank nominations up to a maximum of ten of per faculty, and to give brief explanations for their rankings. The selection panel then meets. This panel – chaired by the Director of IAS and comprising a number of members of the University Research Committee and IAS Academic Advisory Board – is not bound by the faculty rankings, but both faculty and IAS phases of the selection process are governed by criteria that include:
- interest, coherence, originality and feasibility of the proposed substantive project
- quality and coherence of the text of the proposal
- importance of the project for the REF or other institutional priorities (e.g. relevance to an established university research theme)
- balance of disciplinarity/interdisciplinarity across the range of successful awards
- importance of the award relative to the applicant’s career stage
- possibility of applicants gaining alternative sources of funding
- possibilities for further funding
This list of criteria entails that not being awarded a URF should not be interpreted by unsuccessful candidates as a negative judgment on the part of the selection panel. Many excellent proposals have to be turned down given the competition and the need to fund a range of projects and types/levels of researchers.
How to apply for funding
Flowchart to illustrate the URF nomination process (32.5 KB, Word).
- Applicants should set out, alongside the substantive proposal and rationale, their expectations for outputs and activities, using the URF nomination form (154 KB, Word), which should be forwarded to the Head of School for completion in both electronic and hard copy versions.
- The original nomination form, the electronic version, and CV plus six copies should be sent to the Dean, who will coordinate and rank faculty applications with the assistance of the Faculty Research Director. Faculties are not permitted to submit more than 10 applications to the final selection panel.
- Deans and HoS should coordinate closely to ensure that all applications are fairly considered in time for forms to be received by the IAS Administrator, Laura Dean, at the IAS by the closing date: 5pm on Thursday 14 February 2013. Applications that arrive after this closing date will not be considered.
Further information
Current University Research Fellows
University Senior Research Fellowships (SRFs) 2013/2015
These two-year fellowships are awarded to distinguished retired members of staff in recognition of their continued contribution to the research of the University. Fellows are not employees of the University and the awards carry no financial resources. In that sense, they are honorary in character, but this role may still be found beneficial to senior individuals and their schools, especially if formulated around a specific set of research goals.
How to apply
In a change to previous years, decisions are now made by the Deaneries and not by IAS. Flowchart to illustrate the SRF nomination process (32.5 KB, Word).
- There are no specific application forms for this scheme. Heads of School/Department should submit nominations to their Deans.
- Proposals should include a statement from the nominee on the expected outcomes of the fellowship period, together with a letter of recommendation from the Head of School, including a statement of how any requirements of facilities or space will be met.
- An electronic version and the hardcopy original must then be forwarded to the Dean no later than 5pm on Thursday 14 February 2013. Applications that arrive after this closing date will not be considered.
Expectations and renewals
Analytical reports of 2-3 pages on the activities carried out during the SRF period are required at the end of the Fellowship period. SRFs are renewable, but not automatically so – a case must be made, by detailed reference to ongoing productive research activity and interaction within the school/department/faculty.
Further information
Current Senior Research Fellows
IAS Research Fellowships (IASRF) 2013/2014
Resources are available, on the same basis as the URF scheme, for up to six months' dedicated research pertaining to generic themes currently highlighted by IAS.
For 2013/2014, these are:
- ideas, intellectuals and the university
- inspiration/creativity in the knowledge process
- animal-human interactions
Award holders may work on substantive exemplifications of one of these themes drawn from their own particular fields of study, but they are also expected directly to develop the overarching concepts and issues. It is anticipated that successful applicants will regularly spend time in the IAS, and develop IAS activities around their projects. Those interested in applying should discuss their plans beforehand with the Director of IAS.
Application form (154 KB, Word), procedure (32.5 KB, Word) and deadline as for URFs and TNRFs.
Translational Neuroscience Research Fellowships (TNRFs) 2013/2014
Resources are also available, again on the same basis as the URF scheme, for six month Translational Neuroscience Research Fellowships (TNRFs). These awards enable academic University staff who are members of Bristol Neuroscience (BN) to dedicate up to six months for developing translational neuroscience research.
The purpose of TNRFs is to allow clinical or non-clinical researchers to spend time in a local research or clinical setting. For example, non-clinical researchers may spend time at Frenchay Hospital in order to develop new translational opportunities, establish working relationships with clinical staff and better understand the clinical environment. Clinical researchers may spend time in a laboratory or research office.
The financial support of £5,000 is solely to help Heads of School / Department cover the costs of replacement teaching, assessment and clinical responsibilities during that period. Those interested in applying should discuss their plans beforehand with the Director of BN, Professor Richard Apps.
Application form (154 KB, Word), procedure (32.5 KB, Word) and deadline as for URFs and IASRFs.
Further information
Past Translational Neuroscience Research Fellows
Additional funding from Bristol Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Bristol based charity Multiple Sclerosis Research is offering an opportunity for successful candidates applying for TNRFs to also apply for additional funds to support their project.
Conditions for consideration for additional funding are:
- a successful application to the 2013/2014 TNRFs and departmental and R&D approval to carry out the study;
- limited to studies expected to offer significant gains in the advancement of treatment or translational approaches to developing multiple sclerosis treatments;
- clearly stated aims and objectives and a clear financial statement justifying the additional expenditure.
Grants of between £3,000 and £5,000 may be requested.
For more information or to arrange an informal discussion, please contact info@ms-research.org.uk.