ISRF Mid-Career Fellowship Competition

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.

Applicants will normally hold a full-time or part-time salaried position – which may be permanent or fixed-term – at an Institution of Higher Education and Research. Candidates should be more than 10 years post-PhD award at the time of application.

The awards are intended to provide full relief from all teaching duties and all associated academic administration for a period of (up to) one year.

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €102,500 (or £90,000 for UK-based applicants) to buy-out the cost of all teaching and associated administration in the applicant’s home institution for up to 12 months. Within that sum, reasonable support for research expenses may be considered on a matched-funding basis with the host institution.

Eligible Research

Innovative research which breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 30th January 2026.

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ISRF Independent Scholar Fellowship Competition

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support Independent Scholars to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.

Independent Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply, and they will not hold an appointment – full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent – at an institution of higher education and research.

This category of Fellowship is intended for scholars who have not pursued - or have been obstructed from pursuing - a traditional academic career path.

An ‘Independent Scholar’ is understood as someone, whether or not currently in employment, who is engaged in intellectual work outside of academic employment of a nature and standard comparable to that of a professional academic scholar.

For the avoidance of doubt: newly qualified post-doctoral scholars, as-yet unemployed in academia, are not considered Independent Scholars for the purpose of this competition; nor are scholars who are actively seeking further academic employment; nor retired scholars whose careers were spent working within academia.

The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants support for academic research and relief from non-academic work (including domestic care) for a period of up to one year.

The amount of an award will depend on individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €40,500 (or £35,000 for UK-based applicants), of which no more than €33,250 (or £28,750) may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Up to €7,250 (or £6,250) may be requested to cover reasonable research expenses. Reasonable childcare or other domestic costs may be considered.

Eligible Research

The ISRF aims to fund innovative research which breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the arts and humanities are also encouraged.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 31st October 2025.

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ISRF Early Career Fellowship Competition

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.

Scholars from within Europe (inc. UK) are eligible to apply. Candidates should be within 10 years of PhD award at the time of application. Career breaks may be taken into account. Applicants will normally hold a full-time or part-time salaried position – which may be permanent or fixed-term – at an Institution of Higher Education and Research. However, independent scholars or individuals not currently in an academic role may also apply.

The awards are intended as providing full relief from all teaching duties and all associated academic administration for a period of up to one year, and must commence no later than end of January 2026.

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €81,500 (or £67,500 for UK-based applicants). Within that sum, reasonable support for research expenses may be considered on a matched-funding basis with the host institution.

Eligible Research

The ISRF aims to fund innovative research which breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the arts and humanities are also encouraged.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 14th February 2025.

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Also…

ISRF Flexible Grants for Small Groups Competition

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems. Such work would be unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies.

The Foundation intends to award on a competitive basis, to candidates of sufficient merit, a number of grants providing flexible support (for instance: relief from teaching and/or administration, research and travel expenses, fieldwork and practical work) for a period of (up to) one year for the activities of a small research group.

The awards are intended as enabling one or more short periods of face-to-face joint group work such as workshops, working-in-pairs, or short academic visits over a period of up to one year, and must be taken up (i.e. commence) no later than end of December 2025.

Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply as Principal Investigator(s) to lead a small group of 2-10 scholars (which may include graduate students). Principal applicants should hold a PhD and will normally have a permanent appointment at an institution of higher education and research. Applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is part-time equivalent. Independent scholars with an academic affiliation may also apply.

Eligible Research

The ISRF is looking for innovative research that breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Award Value

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €8,500 (or £7,100 for UK-based applicants).

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 10th January 2025.

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ISRF Flexible Grants for Small Groups Competition

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems. Such work would be unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies.

The Foundation intends to award on a competitive basis, to candidates of sufficient merit, a number of grants providing flexible support (for instance: relief from teaching and/or administration, research and travel expenses, fieldwork and practical work) for a period of (up to) one year for the activities of a small research group.

The awards are intended as enabling one or more short periods of face-to-face joint group work such as workshops, working-in-pairs, or short academic visits over a period of up to one year, and must be taken up (i.e. commence) no later than end of December 2025.

Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply as Principal Investigator(s) to lead a small group of 2-10 scholars (which may include graduate students). Principal applicants should hold a PhD and will normally have a permanent appointment at an institution of higher education and research. Applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is part-time equivalent. Independent scholars with an academic affiliation may also apply.

Eligible Research

The ISRF is looking for innovative research that breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Award Value

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €8,500 (or GBP equivalent).

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants with based in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £7,100. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €8,500. These amounts are fixed, and will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 10th January 2025.

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Also, don’t miss…

We’ve known for at least forty years that we need to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Why, then, have we made so little progress? Why does oil’s grip on the world seem more unbreakable than ever?

In his new book, Crude Capitalism, Adam Hanieh offers some original answers to these questions. He describes our own everyday dependence on a range of oil byproducts like plastic. He tells the story of the “new axis of world oil now emerging around giant-non-Western firms in the Middle East and East Asia.” He details the networks of corporate control that embed oil more deeply than ever into the global system. He shows how capitalism would not have become what it is without oil to fuel it, which may mean that we will need to do without capitalism if we want to do without oil. Synthesising unique empirical detail with a grand historical narrative, Hanieh changes our sense of oil’s centrality while opening new prospects for going beyond it.

Please join us for Adam Hanieh’s presentation and the discussion of a book that makes an essential contribution to debates around oil-dependency and the struggle for climate justice.

Adam Hanieh is Professor of Political Economy and Global Development at the University of Exeter. He will be joined by two panelists: Adrienne Buller, Associate Fellow at Common Wealth and author of The Value of a Whale (2022); and Angus McNelly, Lecturer in International Development at King’s College London and author of Now We Are in Power: The Politics of Passive Revolution in Twenty-First Century Bolivia (2023). A Q&A will follow, moderated by Chris Newfield, ISRF Director of Research.

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ISRF First Book Grant Competition

Supporting recent PhD graduates in their effort to turn their PhD thesis into a publishable book.

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support recent PhD graduates in their effort to turn their PhD thesis into a publishable book.

Researchers may apply from across the social sciences and the humanities. The awards are intended to provide a research stipend (to cover living costs) for a period of up to twelve months, plus appropriate research expenses.

Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply. Candidates must have been awarded their PhD and should be within three years of PhD award at the time of application (career breaks, such as periods of medical leave, parental leave, or caring commitments, will be taken into account), and should not already hold a permanent position within academia. The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants full or partial support for the conversion of their PhD thesis into a book, and relief from non-academic work (including domestic care), for a period of up to one year.

Eligible Research

The ISRF is looking for innovative research that breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Award Value

The amount of an award will depend on individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €41,500 (or GBP equivalent), of which no more than €34,000 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Up to €7,500 may be requested to cover reasonable research expenses, which might include necessary additional fieldwork trips, transcription, copy-editing, illustration costs etc.. Reasonable childcare or other domestic costs may be considered.†

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants seeking an affiliation in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £35,000, of which no more than £28,750 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Applicants seeking an affiliation elsewhere in Europe, including non-Eurozone countries, must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €41,500, of which no more than €34,000 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. These limits will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 1st November 2024.

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ISRF Mid-Career Fellowship Competition

Providing Research Support in Interdisciplinary Social Science

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems. Such work would be unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies.

The Foundation intends to award on a competitive basis, to candidates of sufficient merit, a number of grants providing buy-out funding (teaching & admin salary replacement) for a period of (up to) one year.

Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply. Applicants will normally hold a full-time or part-time salaried position – which may be permanent or fixed-term – at an Institution of Higher Education and Research. Candidates should be 10 years or more from the year of their PhD award. However, a shorter time from PhD award may exceptionally be considered, if the candidate has other qualifications to be considered as mid-career (these might include: length of appointment to permanent post, seniority, teaching responsibilities).

Eligible Research

Innovative research which breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.

Award Value

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €100,000 (or GBP equivalent)† to buy-out the cost of all teaching and associated administration in the applicant’s home institution for up to 12 months. Within that sum, reasonable support for research expenses may be considered on a matched-funding basis with the host Institution.

Where home institutions are unable to comply with the matched-funding requirement for research expenses, applications will still be considered – an explanatory note from the relevant Head of School/Head of Department/Research Manager should be submitted as an attachment. Note also that applications without any research expenses component are also accepted.

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants based in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £85,000. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €100,000. These limits will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 28th March 2024.

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ISRF Flexible Grants for Small Groups

Providing Research Support in Interdisciplinary Social Science

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems. Such work would be unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies.

The Foundation intends to award on a competitive basis, to candidates of sufficient merit, a number of grants providing flexible support (for instance: relief from teaching and/or administration, research and travel expenses, fieldwork and practical work) for a period of (up to) one year for the activities of a small research group.
 
The awards are intended as enabling one or more short periods of face-to-face joint group work such as workshops, working-in-pairs, or short academic visits over a period of up to one year, and must be taken up (i.e. commence) no later than end of December 2024.

The amount of an award depends on the nature of the work proposed and individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €8,100 (or GBP equivalent).†

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants with based in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £7,000. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €8,100. These amounts are fixed, and will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.

Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply as Principal Investigator(s) to lead a small group of 2-10 scholars (which may include graduate students). Principal applicants should hold a PhD and will normally have a permanent appointment at an institution of higher education and research. Applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is part-time equivalent. Independent scholars with an academic affiliation may also apply.

Applicants should consult the Criteria as set out in the Further Particulars and show that they meet them. Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Closing date for applications is 5pm (GMT) on 30th November 2023.

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Coming next week…

A book launch and conversation with Dr Seb Rumsby, author of Development in Spirit, also featuring Maya Nguyen & Emma Tomalin.

The effects of development and nation-building projects are always felt unevenly, especially by marginalised communities. But these communities do not lack agency in this process. How do they participate in, negotiate, or resist state-led development? And what role do everyday religious and spiritual practices play therein?

Seb will be joined by two panelists: Maya Nguyen, Lecturer in International Relations at SOAS University of London, whose research explores the role of children and youth in the Southeast Asian military conflicts in the second half of 20th century; and Emma Tomalin, Professor of Religion and Public Life at the University of Leeds, whose recent projects have engaged with the role of faith actors in humanitarian action, peacebuilding and health.

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