Early Career Researchers
BCLA
Projects, Support and Resources for Early Career Researchers
This section is dedicated to helping to meet the needs of Early Career Researchers, national and international, now and in the future. These pages are primarily focused on postdocs, university lecturers and post-PhD researchers in the fields of Comparative Literature, broadly defined, and in Translation Studies.
BCLA
BCLA Inaugural First Book Prize
We are pleased to announce the launch of the BCLA First Book Prize, which will be awarded at the BCLA’s 50th anniversary conference in 2025. The prize will recognise an outstanding first monograph in the field of comparative literature, understood in its broadest terms.
Your Reflection on Culture & Quarantine
A Call for Contributions
Reflections on your experiences of the present situation of no more than 1500 words are requested in any language. They will be edited and published on the BCLA website to be disseminated as broadly as possible.
A BCLA Early Career Researchers Project
Comparatively Speaking
Browse & Read the Interviews
The “Comparatively Speaking” questionnaire delves into the exciting new research being undertaken by early career comparatists. These interviews, carried out by the BCLA Early Career Representatives themselves, aim to light on emerging trends and direction in the field of Comparative Literature, and promote the ground-breaking work by scholars who cross disciplinary boundaries. The project also aims to build an inclusive and supportive community of researchers who share their thoughts, insights and experiences with each other.
the BCLA
Early Career Representatives
The BCLA has three Early Career Representatives, who are also members of the Executive Committee. Please contact through the links below if you have any queries, or anything you would like to discuss.
Early Career Researchers
Resources
Here you can find information on various kinds of funding for early-career researchers in comparative literature, as well as useful resources to support your teaching and research.
Link:
https://ahrc.ukri.org/skills/earlycareerresearchers
Description:
The AHRC website has a dedicated section aimed at supporting researchers in the period after the completion of their PhD, in the following areas: career options in academia and other fields; membership of the AHRC’s Peer Review College; links to the Peer review Resources site and online training; and the funding opportunities available to Early Career Researchers, including:
- Future Leaders Fellowships, entailing funding over four years, extendable for a further three years, also open to international applicants looking to take up a role at a UK-based organisation.
- Early Career Research Grants, ranging from £50,000 – £200,000, which aim to support collaborative research projects and assist new researchers gain experience of managing and leading research projects.
International Placement Scheme, an annual programme providing researchers at doctoral and early career level with dedicated access to world-class resources held at international IPS partner institutions.
Link:
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/early-career-researchers
Description:
The British Academy supports early career researchers through schemes which provide funding, support public engagements and opportunities for participation in policy programmes. Among the opportunities are:
- Postdoctoral Fellowships, fully funded programmes for three years, with the aim of improving researchers’ chances of obtaining a permanent post.
- British Academy/Wolfson Fellowships, for a duration of three years, aimed at researchers appointed within five years of their doctoral award to longer-term or permanent posts.
Newton International Fellowships, which provide opportunity for academics based outside the UK to work for two years at a UK institution with the aim of fostering long-term international collaboration.
Link:
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/early-career-researchers
Description:
The Leverhulme Trust offers Early Career Fellowships, tenable for three years on a full-time basis, to early career researchers, with a research record, but without a full-time permanent post, to undertake a significant piece of publishable work.
Link:
Description:
The RSE Saltire Early Career Fellowships aim to provide PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career researchers with a 3 – 12 month opportunity to focus on a research project of their choice in a university or research institute outside of the UK.
Link: Early-Career Awards – Grant funding | Wellcome
Description:
This scheme provides funding for early-career researchers from any discipline who are ready to develop their research identity. Through innovative projects, they will deliver shifts in understanding that could improve human life, health and wellbeing. By the end of the award, they will be ready to lead their own independent research programme.
The level of funding: the applicant’s salary and up to £400,000 for research expenses. If eligible, you may also request additional funding for overseas allowances and overheads.
The duration of the funding is usually 5 years, but may be less for some disciplines, and may only be longer if held on a part-time basis.
The host institutions of the applicant may be the United Kingdom, Ireland, low to middle income countries (excluding China and India). A full list of the eligible nations is available here.
Further details of the scheme, eligibility and suitability, the application process, key dates and supporting documents are available at this link.
The deadline for applications for the next round of awards is 21 June 2022, 17.00 BST.
