TORCH International Fellowships
Applications for the TORCH International Fellowship scheme are now open
TORCH invites University of Oxford academics to apply for small grants to support visiting International Fellows to come to Oxford during Trinity Term, 2023.
Bursaries of up to £5,000 are available for Fellows from European institutions to facilitate their visit to Oxford. Discretionary funding of up to £6,500 is available for Fellows based at institutions outside of Europe.
International Fellowships at TORCH
TORCH has welcomed 20 International Fellows from 13 countries as part of the International Fellowship and Global South Visiting Fellowship Programmes. For the academic year 2022/23, we are looking forward to welcoming a cohort of International Fellows in Trinity Term 2023, to foster a collaborative community of visiting researchers and support interdisciplinary activity.
This scheme supports researchers from non-UK institutions to come to Oxford as International Fellows via Oxford researchers in the Humanities who, in turn, act as academic hosts for the International Fellows. Oxford researchers are encouraged to consider hosting Fellows with whom they already have begun collaborations. During the Fellowship there will also be a requirement for the Visiting Fellow to collaborate with Oxford-based groups.
Applications should reflect how Visiting Fellows will connect and share their knowledge while in Oxford.
How long do Visiting Fellowships last, when can they take place, and what activities should they include?
Visiting Fellows will take place in Trinity Term 2023, and we anticipate a stay of 2-10 weeks in Oxford during this period. The association with the University of Oxford will last for up to one calendar year and enable continued access to online resources. Fellows are invited to carry out their own research during their stay in Oxford and should include two (or more) events/activities planned with and delivered by the fellow; these can include activities within the Humanities Division, such as undergraduate or graduate seminars, workshops or lectures. We ask Fellows to include at least one public access event, which will be managed by TORCH, in order to contribute to the public cultural and community programme in Oxford Humanities.
Flexible options for digital programming are also invited. Fellows are welcome to include digital or online components to their Fellowship, but they should plan to be in Oxford for part of Trinity Term 2023, to help curate and deliver the associated activities.
The submission deadline is:
Michaelmas Term | Week 2 | Friday, 21 October 2022 |12:00 noon (BST)
What does Visiting Fellowship Funding cover and who can apply?
This funding is to support Visiting Fellows who are academics or researchers at institutions outside of the UK. Fellows are hosted by a University of Oxford postholder who must hold a contract for the whole period covered by their application.
What level of funding and support is available?
Bursaries of up to £5,000 are available for Fellows from European institutions to facilitate their visit to Oxford. To accommodate for higher travel costs as well as potential visa-related costs, discretionary funding of up to £6,500 is available for Fellows based at institutions outside of Europe. This sum is intended towards accommodation, subsistence, and events.
Indicative costs guidance documents
The following indicative costs guidance document have been created by TORCH for use in the Humanities Cultural Programme, and may be useful as a reference while submitting an International Fellowship application. Please note this document is intended as a guide only and accurate costs are the responsibility of the applicant(s).
https://torch.web.ox.ac.uk/files/humanitiesculturalprogramme-indicativecostsforgoodsandservicespdf-0
Please also review the University of Oxford Expenses Policy for detailed information about what can be claimed as an expense. The International Officer can offer advice about creating budgets as part of this application process.
How are applications reviewed?
The University of Oxford host must make the Visiting Fellowship application and fellows are selected from the gathered field. Applications are reviewed by a panel comprised of TORCH academic leads and members of the TORCH Management Committee. The applications are reviewed against the key areas given below:
- Context and rationale for the proposed fellow. Applications should clearly explain how the Fellowship fits within, extends, or disrupts, the existing research landscape in Oxford Humanities. Interdisciplinary projects across the Humanities are particularly encouraged.
- Proposed events and activities. Activities should have a clear timeline and indicate an intended audience. Applications should highlight the academic benefits of fellowships for the fellow, participants, and the University.
- Lasting legacy. Applicants are advised to describe the proposed output and explained the envisioned future legacy, including new connections and opportunities for further collaboration and development. Applicants should consider how the Visiting Fellowship complements or challenges existing TORCH projects, networks or programmes, or across Oxford Humanities more generally.
- Deliverability and budgeting. Applications should include detailed and realistic timelines for activity. Any substantial risks to activity/timelines should be considered and mitigations supplied where possible. Budgets should be well considered and achievable within the University’s financial guidelines. The International Officer (see below) can review budgets and provide indications of costs to include and estimations of costs in advance of the submission of applications. The payment of professional fees and equipment costs are particularly complex – applicants whose budgets include professional fees/equipment are required to contact the International Officer for advice before submitting an application. Applications should note whether any other related internal/external funding exists and give details of the source and proposed use of that funding.
Applicants are strongly advised to read the Notes for Guidance for this funding call.
How are applications submitted?
Applications are submitted via IRAMS. Applications must be submitted by the University of Oxford host.
In the Case for Support form, the Oxford Humanities academic should include a summary of the proposed Fellowship, an outline of events and activities, and should highlight the mutual benefit of the proposed fellowship for the Visiting Fellow and researchers within the University.
When should I expect details of the outcome of my application?
Notifications of awards will be given within 4 weeks of deadline closing.
Contact
For additional questions or support please contact Dr Anbara Khalidi, the International Officer: anbara.khalidi@humanities.ox.ac.uk
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