Q&A follow-up

1. Balancing doctoral research with wider academic contributions

Question:
What should PhD students consider when balancing their doctoral research with extracurricular academic contributions?

Response
You can't say yes to everything, so be intentional with your extracurricular activities. Try to choose those most likely to help you build evidence of the skills that future employers prioritise and develop your network in ways that will be useful for your next steps.

This might involve researching in advance what relevant employers are asking for. This can help you be strategic rather than simply saying yes to lots of similar activities that give you more of the same experience and contacts, rather than a range of skills and examples to draw from.

2. Staying resilient when using creative approaches to research

Question - Sian Holt, University of Southampton:
I love creative ways of expressing my research and am currently exploring putting on an interactive art gallery. However, I work within healthcare research and am often told I should spend my time on other things, such as grant applications and reading literature. I still do those things, but how can I stay resilient when not everyone understands the benefit of these creative approaches?

Response

From one panellist:

I love that you are exploring putting on an interactive art gallery. It's things like that that make research more visible and allow people to explore it in different ways. It's also a space for you to do thinking and reflecting on your practice.

I know it can be tough. I was very restrained in my thesis writing because I was worried about what my examiners might say, but actually my biggest comment was to bring more of myself into my writing. I got to bring my identity into my writing, which was wonderful.

If we want to change the landscape, we need to work with our wider skillset to pave the way to viewing research through different lenses. My own view is: keep inspiring change and showing your research in different, artful and playful ways. We can weave together the rigour of research with our own identity to keep research human. Research has to be understood to have value, so the human element is important.

From another panellist:

I love that you are exploring putting on an interactive art gallery. It's things like that that make research more visible and allow people to explore it in different ways. It's also a space for you to do thinking and reflecting on your practice.

I know it can be tough. I was very restrained in my thesis writing because I was worried about what my examiners might say, but actually my biggest comment was to bring more of myself into my writing. I got to bring my identity into my writing, which was wonderful.

If we want to change the landscape, we need to work with our wider skillset to pave the way to viewing research through different lenses. My own view is: keep inspiring change and showing your research in different, artful and playful ways. We can weave together the rigour of research with our own identity to keep research human. Research has to be understood to have value, so the human element is important.

In a session I was recently at, on compassionate leadership, we discussed how researchers are often in the either productive or anxious state, which goes for all those involved with research projects, but this can lead to us forgetting the thinking, reflecting and caring space, which is equally important. I think your gallery fits in that reflecting and caring space (as well as in the productive, but just differently!), and all are equally important, so keep ensuring you have a balance between the productive/fruitful and the reflecting/thinking/caring spaces.

3. Searching for jobs using skills rather than job titles

Question - Jennifer Bertrand, CNRS - University of Lille:
With such breadth and depth of skills as postdocs, potentially suitable roles can have very different job titles. Do you have suggestions for searching for jobs using a skills-first approach rather than traditional job titles?

Response
It depends on which skills you want to search by. If they are quite specific, such as particular research skills or specialist knowledge, setting Google alerts on relevant sector-specific job boards for vacancies mentioning those skills or areas of knowledge could be useful.

It can also help to look at roles being undertaken by people with similar skills and identify the job titles they use. LinkedIn can be particularly useful as a research tool for finding people with comparable skills and seeing what roles they have moved into.

Talking to as many people as possible is also useful. Different companies call similar roles different things, which can make searching difficult.

Resources shared by Holly:

• Exploring Career Options Beyond Academia: Essential LinkedIn Tricks for Researchers - phd-careers.co.uk, 5 June 2023
• Research Careers Outside Academia for PhDs - phd-careers.co.uk, 20 April 2026

4. Career uncertainty as a European postdoc in the UK

Question:
I'm a postdoc with two years' experience and my contract runs out next year. The uncertainty is taking significant energy and making it difficult to focus on finishing my projects. Given cuts to UK research funding, I'm unsure whether to remain in the UK, move again to continue in research, or stay and pursue a career outside academia. Do you have any advice?

Response:
From one panellist:

This is a really difficult one, and one you will have to make a decision on. It is worth looking at roles both outside of the UK, and beyond academia. This doesn't have to mean beyond universities though, if you enjoy working in H.E. – there are a lot of professional services roles that will probably require and benefit from your skills and experience. In The Netherlands there is academic transfer, which is their job website and worth looking into which other websites (like jobs.ac.uk in the UK) there are in different countries, to see if there is anything you really want to go for. I think it's good to browse, see what you're truly interested in, and which jobs match your broader skillset. It's always good to see what is out there. An open mind always gives more opportunity, but you will have to decide for yourself where you want to be. I am also a European citizen in the UK and keep an open mind and I do look at what institutions in Europe offer, yet I love the country side and life here, so it would take a lot for me to move away.

From another panellist

There is a lot in this question that would probably warrant a whole 6-week coaching programme! It feels like whatever brief points I could offer here may not feel substantial enough, but I wanted to offer this person something.

• First, it is completely understandable that fixed-term uncertainty can consume a lot of your mental bandwidth and energy, and it makes complete sense that this is taking energy away from your current research.
• Secondly, try to think 'close', or in terms of 'small steps' first that could help to give you extra time and create a 'bridge' into your next opportunity. Make sure you know the terms of your contract, and what you are entitled to in the way of any redundancy pay or other support. Check whether your institution offers HR consultations to fixed-term staff, and whether your institution has a 'redeployment' policy (i.e. where internal roles are opened to those facing redundancy first, and such candidates are prioritised). This can be for relevant professional services roles as well as research. Or if not, see if you can start by asking people 'close to your research' (e.g. research support, research facilitation, funding support, etc.) about their roles to see these could also be options, even for the interim. This could at least offer a 'stepping stone' whilst you assess your options longer term. Also, check what researcher development support is available at your institution and use it – don't try to navigate this alone.
• Next, my only thought is – is there a way that you can break this down from a huge, all consuming question (trying to think about all aspects of this at once) into some smaller parts that you could then look into/address individually, to make it more manageable? Breaking down things into questions that start with 'how could I?' can help to give you starting points that mean you can actually look into things, rather than feeling stuck:
• How can I find out what staying in UK research could realistically look like for me? Who could help me find this out?
• How can I explore what research opportunities exist for me in other countries I might want to work in, and what another international move might mean for my wider life?
• How can I find out what I might enjoy doing beyond academia?
• I'd also advise not to treat 'a career outside academia' as an 'emergency plan B' and to start exploring it now if you can, through small steps like finding out what previous PhDs and postdocs from your department have gone on to do, talking to people associated with your research e.g. research support people, people who work for companies that produce equipment used in your labs, people who work at any research facilities you use, etc… those can be good starting points to explore options that are linked to your existing knowledge and experience.
• If anxiety is seeping into every working day and affecting your day-to-day mood and work, perhaps designate some 'ringfenced' time to 'next steps research.' E.g. give yourself two hours on the same day every week for example, where your job is to investigate options, talk to somebody, look at vacancies, etc. If you feel anxious about things outside of this time/day, then you can tell yourself that you'll wait until your 'career time' to address that anxiety and take positive steps.

5. Fellowships for more experienced postdocs

Question - Merryn Thomas, University of Exeter:
Why are so many fellowships restricted to people who have recently completed their PhD? Researchers who have completed several postdocs have considerable skills and experience to offer. What opportunities are available to them?

Response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A.

6. Continuing on short-term contracts later in your career

Question:
As a European postdoc whose fellowship finishes within a year, I'm concerned about continuing to move around Europe for one or two-year contracts indefinitely. At 35, I don't want to keep putting my wider life on hold. What alternatives or options should researchers in this position consider?

Response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A.

7. Eligibility for British Academy funding

Question - Malya Bhattacharya, Teesside University:
Do you need to hold an academic position and/or have institutional support to apply for the British Academy's Small Research Grants or Talent Development Awards?

Response:
This isn't the case for the SRGs but would need to check re TDAs as I had an inkling this would be different and, yes, you do need to hold a long-term appointment at a UK-based University or Independent Research Organisation (IRO), which will continue for the full duration of the proposed award.

8. Creating research opportunities inside and outside academia

Question:
Do the panel have suggestions for creating opportunities within academia as a postdoc, or for continuing to develop research while working outside a traditional academic role? Professional Services staff, for example, may be expected to support research but are not normally able to lead their own projects.

Response
From one panellist:

I contribute to research and have written a book while holding a Professional Services contract, albeit in my new professional career area of career guidance rather than my previous research area of English Literature.

I know many people who have moved from academia into Professional Services roles and brought their academic approach with them. We attend professional conferences, undertake research and continue these activities on our own terms - they simply aren't an essential part of our roles.

From another panellist:

I agree with Holly's response here. I am in professional services, and I come up with my own projects that I think benefit researcher development, build on my own scholarship and add to the field. Even if you can only lightly link it to a job role in professional services, this can be enough to be able to get some time for this. It very much depends on the people you work with and for though, and it's not always an easy task, but worth having a conversation about. It's important to keep doing what you're passionate about.

9. From 'early career researcher' to 'career researcher'

Question - Merryn Thomas, University of Exeter:
How can we reframe 'early career researcher' as 'career researcher'? Research shouldn't necessarily have to be a stepping stone to something else. Career researchers are essential.

Response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A.

10. Funding opportunities for established or mid-career researchers

Question:
Why are there many initial postdoc funding opportunities but comparatively few for established or mid-career researchers? Permanent academic positions are limited, yet researchers who want to remain in the research stream can struggle to find funding that allows them to use the skills they have developed.

Response:
The answer comes down to the notorious difficulty in defining career stages and the language we use. Roughly, it's because how we think about "mid-career", often defining them as people that have permanent positions and don't need the "transition" support of a fellowship. The terminology isn't everything we'd hope it to be!

For those transitions, we have a lot of fellowship opportunities in the UK that establish researchers at the lecturer/senior lecturer and equivalent levels, often with an emphasis on institutional commitment to a permanent role at the end of the award.

11. British Academy ECRN Seed Fund eligibility

Question - Naiara Unzurrunzaga, University of Liverpool:
Can someone apply for the British Academy ECRN Seed Fund if they have only recently joined the Academy's ECR Network and have therefore not yet attended the required meetings? How is meeting attendance considered during the application process?

Response:
To apply for the Seed Fund, a member needs to have attended at least three ECRN events (online or in person). So someone newly joined who hasn't yet attended three wouldn't be eligible this round. It's an eligibility threshold checked at application stage, not scored, and the best step for new members is to start attending so they qualify. There are many events taking place between now and November, so they could technically make up the numbers in a fairly short space of time.

12. Is a postdoctoral fellowship essential for an academic career?

Question - Rebecca Simmons, University of York:
Is it essential to obtain a postdoctoral fellowship, from the British Academy or elsewhere, if you want a career in academia? Is it possible to move directly into lecturing or research roles?

Response:
It is not essential to have a postdoctoral fellowship to have a career in academia, however in STEM it is more likely to have completed a postdoctoral research associate type of position, before applying to lectureships and other research roles in academia. This is usually seen as a period of consolidating your own scientific identity and finding your own niche, which you may not have achieved just after completing your PhD. However, it is very much dependent on the university/institution, and the recruitment committee, so it's always good to reach out and understand what they're looking for first!

Fellowships are a nice-to-have but not everyone is suited to it, and the success rates are low such that luck plays a very big part in it. Not getting one doesn't mean you won't have a successful academic career, and getting one does not guarantee a successful academic career either. Do keep an eye out for institutional internal fellowships, which is sometimes a good stepping stone to be recruited into said institution and then get support (and time) in writing external grants/fellowships.

13. Moving from physics into research funding or policy

Question:
I'm a physics postdoc interested in opportunities within the research funding and policy landscape. What advice would you give for making this transition? What specific knowledge and skills could I develop to be competitive for roles at UKRI?

Response:
This is a great question! Good to see you thinking about how your experience could be relevant to 'academic adjacent' roles.

• See if you can find people from a Physics background who work in research funding/ policy or for UKRI (e.g. have jobs like a 'Portfolio Manager' or a 'Programme Manager,' a 'Theme Manager,' or a 'Policy Officer/ Adviser/ Manager) and look at their experience. Even see if some will connect with you to have a chat about how they got into it. There are tips on how to do this kind of research in this article. Also check researcher careers case study sites like Glasgow Pathfinder and Oxford's Research Careers to find profiles of people in similar roles and see what the recommend.
• Look at jobs in UKRI, particularly the EPSRC, but also government departments, learned societies (e.g. Institute of Physics), charities and other research funders. What keeps recurring in the person specifications? UKRI itself encompasses seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK, so there are quite different potential environments and roles within it. Also, take time to understand what UKRi and similar organisations are trying to achieve as well as just research funding, e.g. some will have remits around people and skills, innovation, and other areas.
• Do what you can to understand how research funding works 'from the other side' (i.e. from the perspective of the organisations who issue it, rather than researchers who apply for it). As a researcher, you might have experienced research funding as an applicant or recipient. Next, do what you can to find out more about how funding decisions are made: strategic priorities; peer review; portfolio management; research impact… and so on.
• Develop evidence that you can communicate to non-specialists: working for UKRI/funders, you may be expected to communicate the impact

14. Describing postdoctoral experience on a CV

Question - Jennifer Bertrand, CNRS - University of Lille:
How should postdoctoral and graduate research positions be described on a CV or résumé when applying outside academia?

I've seen advice suggesting changing 'Postdoctoral Research Fellow' to 'Senior Researcher', or 'Graduate Student Researcher' to 'Research Scientist', but this can feel disingenuous. At the same time, some employers and applicant tracking systems may not recognise postdoctoral or graduate research as relevant professional experience.

What approach would you recommend?

Responses:
From one panellist:

Every job sector is different, so this is a very difficult question to answer but I wanted to provide some advice from the perspective of someone who has led teams in the HE and research sector and been involved in numerous interview panels. In other words, this is a personal view and not one of the British Academy!

Generally speaking, I would not recommend making changes that feel disingenuous or leave you feeling uncomfortable. Sometimes being vague raises more questions and you never know if this would be probed further in an interview. Additionally, this approach attempts to second guess a hiring panel's understanding and/or view of postdoc roles. To me, the suggestion is quite a defensive approach to what you have achieved in your roles and although I sympathise with the view that it might be necessary for certain sectors, I don't think it is wise to apply for jobs on the "back-foot". For the most part, job titles are less important than actual skills and experience, so it will be better to focus on how to get these across effectively on a CV or in a job application - this is why Holly's session was incredibly valuable!

From another panellist:

• If you don't feel comfortable with reframing the title to something relevant to the role e.g. 'Researcher,' 'Research Scientist,' etc., then you could keep the official title but add a 'lay person description' as well that is relevant to the role, e.g. Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Researcher in Sustainable Energy; or Doctoral Researcher | Computational Biology
  That will still help you include vocabulary that ATS will recognise as relevant.
• Don't let the title do all the work: what's far more important is how you turn your experience into bullet points that directly demonstrate the skills in the job spec. For example, a postdoc/PhD entry on a non-academic CV shouldn't read like an academic CV saying things like "Published X papers; presented at Y conferences." Instead show the work you actually did and the results: managed a three-year project; analysed X number of complex datasets to contribute to X; coordinated X collaborators across four organisations; secured £X funding; communicated findings to X non-specialists; supervised junior researchers, etc. Ideally, each bullet point should give a clear piece of evidence that will 'tick off' one of the criteria for the role.
• Use terminology from the jobs you're targeting in the bullets. If employers call something "stakeholder engagement" and you genuinely did stakeholder engagement, say that rather than using an obscure academic term, or just saying that you 'collaborated with others.' Likewise: project management, data analysis, qualitative research, customer/user research, partnership working, technical writing, etc. If you aren't sure what a phrase means in a job description, e.g. 'stakeholder management,' 'horizon scanning' etc., you could as an AI LLM what this means and what the component skills are, so you can find examples of these skills form your experience too (even if at the time you called it something different different).

15. Support for researchers from non-traditional backgrounds

Question - Laura J:
For fellowship and other funding applications, what opportunities or schemes are available to researchers from non-traditional backgrounds or routes into academia, particularly those at less research-intensive universities who may not have access to examples of successful applications?

Schemes that address the requirement to secure institutional support in advance would be particularly helpful, as would grants capable of covering researchers' salaries rather than only smaller project costs.

Response:
Most schemes are open to researchers from a variety of institutions and backgrounds, however we recognise the barriers to accessing them mean that "open on paper" doesn't translate to "open in practice". We've seen increasing success from smaller institutions for fellowship applications for a range of funders. The community has also been willing to share examples of practice, case studies, applications and similar.

16. Funding without university sponsorship

Question:
Moving between fixed-term contracts and institutions makes applying for funding difficult. Are there funding schemes that don't require sponsorship from a host university?

Response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A, although it was noted that the question may not have been answered fully.

Note: most UKRI and charity funders need sponsors due to logistics such as having a approved space for experimentation, health and safety regulations in place etc.. 

17. The funding and permanent-position 'catch-22'

Question - Sean:
Permanent positions can themselves be an eligibility criterion for further funding. For example, some schemes are only open to lecturers or above. At the same time, universities may want candidates for lectureships who have already secured funding as a PI.

How can funding agencies and universities work together to address this catch-22?

Additional comments from attendees:
Funding schemes requiring an institution to commit to an applicant can be particularly difficult for researchers without permanent positions. Institutions may also run internal competitions before researchers are permitted to apply for external funding.

Response:
No formal panel response recorded - TBC.

18. Postdoctoral research without university affiliation

Question - Wendy Ward, Sheffield Hallam University:
Many funding schemes appear to be available only to people who remain affiliated with a university after completing their PhD. What options are available to someone who has completed their PhD, is no longer affiliated with a university, but wants to undertake postdoctoral research?

Response:
From one panellist:

Independent researchers are eligible to apply for the British Academy's Small Research Grants. Likewise, if you are employed by an institution that is recognised as an Independent Research Organisation, you are eligible to apply for a Small Research Grant.

Since Wendy makes reference to opportunities only being available to people who "remain affiliated with a university after completing their PhD", it is perhaps worth emphasising that although institutional sponsorship is essential for a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship, it is not necessary to have a contract of employment in place to apply. You should identify a suitable host university and contact them to see if they would be interested in hosting you as a PDF should your application be successful.

From another panellist:

This might not be helpful for you at this time, but I have seen a few instances of someone remaining linked to the university through an honorary research fellow (which means you're account is kept alive and your affiliation, but you have no current role at the university)

19. Moving from an established academic role into research

Question - Vanessa Marr:
I have ten years' experience as an academic and am a Principal Lecturer, but have only recently completed my PhD part-time alongside a full-time role. Many postdoctoral opportunities either don't appear to be open to me or don't offer a salary that would be practical given that I have a family to support.

My current role includes research, teaching and leadership, but I would now like to focus primarily on research. Do I need a postdoctoral position to make this transition, and what other routes might be available?

Response:

If you have published papers and have a track record in research, whether you have a postdoctoral position previously should not be a consideration factor.

Check your institutional contract – are you on T&R (teaching and research) or T&S (teaching and scholarship) type contracts? If latter you may need to re-negotiate with your institution and switch contracts. Even if you are on a T&R, you may still need to negotiate with your institution on the split of time spent between the two roles, and usually institutions will only release you from your teaching duties if you have brought in your own research income.

20. Postdoctoral opportunities for researchers with non-UK PhDs

Question - Omomayowa Abati:
I didn't complete my PhD in the UK and have noticed that many British Academy, Leverhulme and UKRI postdoctoral opportunities appear to require a UK PhD. Are there other postdoctoral opportunities that don't have this requirement?

Response:
A UK PhD is not a requirement for the British Academy's Small Research Grants or Talent Development Awards. However, applicants must demonstrate a tangible link to the UK. This is either by being registered as living in the UK for tax purposes, or working overseas for a recognised UK Research Organisation.

For the Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme, citizens of the UK or a nation within European Economic Area are eligible regardless of where they completed their PhD. Applicants who do not meet this criteria and do not hold a PhD from a UK university may be able to apply if they can provide a 'strong prior association' with the UK. This typically means a significant period – with a minimum period of one year - of employment at a UK institution in either a teaching or research position which is not permanent.

21. Applying as a PI while on a fixed-term contract

Question - Angela Heeler:
How can you apply for funding and be a PI on a project when your fixed-term university contract ends with your current project? I want to apply for funding with different universities for projects that would begin after my current contract ends. What options are available?

Responses/discussion:
One attendee described obtaining a large grant as a co-PI but needing their line manager involved in the application. They also described being unable to secure a smaller grant supporting their salary because the proposed project would begin after their existing contract ended.

Another suggestion was to explore collaboration with another institution rather than formally moving institution.

Angela clarified that she would prefer to remain at her current institution if the bid were successful and primarily wants to be named on and work on the project being proposed.

Panel response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A.

22. How the British Academy ECR Network addresses funding gaps

Question - Elizabeth Penner, University of Cambridge:
How does the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network help bridge some of the gaps discussed during the session?

Response:
The British Academy's Early Career Network is s an inclusive, researcher-led membership body accessible to all UK-based early career researchers (ECRs) working in the humanities and social sciences – regardless of their funding source or background.

• Creating an environment where ECRs can strengthen their skills and professional networks to compete effectively in the job market.
• Being responsive to the needs and interests of ECRs, ensuring that these inform our activities and the opportunities we offer.
• Supporting individual ECRs to realise their potential by providing opportunities that they do not currently have access to.
• Contributing to equality of opportunity for ECRs through encouraging diversity and inclusivity.
• Developing networks to nurture and facilitate greater engagement between and across ECRs and the wider research community, regionally and nationally.
• Drawing on the British Academy's unique ability to convene and nurture intersectoral collaboration to create unique opportunities for ECRs.
• Enabling the British Academy to support a greater number of ECRs in their career ambitions through skills development, networking opportunities, workshops and events.

23. Funding specifically available to postdocs

Question:
Many funding schemes require applicants to hold permanent positions. What opportunities are specifically available to researchers currently employed in postdoctoral roles?

Response:
Being in a permanent position is not a requirement for The British Academy's Small Research Grants scheme, the ECRN Seed Fund or the Talent Development Award. With the latter, all that is required is that your position runs for the duration of the award.

24. Contacting speakers after the event

Question - Sharon B:
Can you share email addresses, or the most appropriate contact address, for further questions following the session?

Response - Joan Chang:
Please email UK NPAW at the UK NPAW Gmail account within the next few days. We will ask the panellists and speakers to address additional questions and publish responses on the website.

25. Resilience in an increasingly competitive funding environment

Question:
The funding landscape has become increasingly competitive, particularly since Brexit, with many UK higher education institutions applying to the same schemes. After investing considerable time in unsuccessful applications, it can become discouraging.

What advice would you give early-career and postdoctoral researchers about staying resilient and improving their chances of success in this environment, particularly researchers whose CVs may not place them among the very strongest applicants?

Response:
Addressed live during the panel Q&A.

And from a panellist post event:

I don't have a straightforward answer to this, but here are some things you might want to consider, based on things I've been told and what peers have done:
become a reviewer for a funder (like ESRC for example), to understand the process.

For staying resilient, I like to remember that your application is not necessarily "unsuccessful" – funding is scarce, and that means that even successful funding positions don't always get funded, so don't see it as 'failing', but see it as experience to build on for future applications. It reminds me of when I applied for the conservatorium in Amsterdam and I was 'admittable', which means I ticked all the boxes, and this was a big achievement. I was in the top 25 but unfortunately not one of the 6 that got onto the course. It still felt like an achievement because it meant I had something going for me that I could now bring out elsewhere.
Join a team of researchers for a big funding project in your field.

26. Funding as an independent researcher

Question - Merryn Thomas, University of Exeter:
Does anyone have experience of applying for funding as an independent researcher? I have research ideas that might work better outside a university, with lower overheads and potentially quicker delivery, but don't know where to start. Some sources, such as National Lottery funding, appear to be restricted to organisations such as charities and CICs.

Response:
From one panellist:

Public funders will always struggle to fund individuals outside of the "umbrella" of a host organisation, whether that's a university or other type of research institute. However, more applied funders such as Innovate UK will fund smaller companies with looser eligibility requirements than those for research funding. A lot of this is driven by government rules on investing public money and managing risks to return on investment, fraud and similar.

From the organiser: 

This has been passed on to a specialist in spinout/startup who wasn't on the panel, and their opinion is with the current climate, it is best to discuss this with your institution's careers development and business engagement teams first. They (especially BE teams) would know what alternative funding to apply for, and being affiliated with universities (especially if they have dedicated spinout teams and startup spaces) will significantly reduce your own risks.

Importantly, your idea, as good as it might be, may not be suited for certain funding based on actual market demands; these are all aspects that may not be considered but are crucial to developing a scientific idea into something that is not purely academic.

27. British Academy coaching and application support

Question:
Does the British Academy offer coaching, mentoring or application support for early-career researchers applying to its funding schemes?

Response:
Yes, our ECR network offers support around funding applications, including scheme information sessions (there's an online Seed Fund session tomorrow, 23 September and another one in early October), grant-writing retreats, and mentoring through the Network. The schemes themselves are assessed on the proposal, but we do offer support to prepare.

Speakers