ISRF Political Economy Research Fellowship

The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers working in Political Economy, which the ISRF here extends to include the social scientific study of economies across the whole range of the social sciences. The work would be conceptually innovative, interdisciplinary, and unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies.

Please read these details carefully – and consult the FAQs – before commencing an application or contacting the ISRF with a query. Applications must be submitted before 5pm (BST) on 1st July 2022. Applicants are strongly advised to submit applications well in advance of this deadline. If you ave any technical issues, please notify Stuart Wilson immediately.

PLEASE NOTE: A Mid-Career Fellowship (MCF6) competition is running concurrently. Eligible applicants may submit an application for each competition, each containing a discrete project proposal (i.e. not the same proposal). Such applications will be considered individually – however, multiple awards will not be made to the same applicant. Political Economy applications should not be submitted for MCF6.

DEADLINE: 5PM BST (6PM CEST), FRIDAY 1ST JULY 2022

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Scholars from within Europe† are eligible to apply. Applicants will normally have a permanent appointment at an institution of higher education and research. 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; applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is a part-time equivalent.‡

PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility for ISRF funding opportunities is unaffected by Brexit. We continue to encourage applications from scholars working within Europe (geographically defined – so, including those at UK institutions).

† There is no limitation on nationality – however, we are unable to consider applications from those whose home institution is not within Europe.

‡ Independent Scholars may apply, and should contact applications2022@isrf.org for further information.

Eligible Research

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.

Terms & Conditions

Duration & Timing

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 December 2023.

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 £75,000† 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.

† PLEASE NOTE: Applicants based in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £75,000. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €89,500 (this will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations).

Terms & Conditions

The ISRF reserves the right to extend the deadline for the competition. A short final report will be required. Award holders may be invited to present their findings in person to the Foundation’s academic representatives. ISRF’s support to be acknowledged in all public presentation of research. Full Terms & Conditions governing awards will be provided to successful applicants in their formal offer, based on the draft general terms and conditions available on the ISRF website. Formal acceptance of the award must be completed by the end of June 2021.

Joint Applications

The ISRF accepts joint applications for this competition. Joint applications can come in two forms. Applicants can decide to apply as Co-Investigators, whereby separate applications are submitted for discrete contributions to an overall project. Each person should submit a separate application and clearly demonstrate what their specific contribution to the project will be. Each application will be treated on its own merits, and applicants should be aware that one, both, or neither of the projects may progress to the Selection Panel and award.

Alternatively, applicants can decide to apply as Co-Applicants, whereby one application is submitted for a single project, with a total budget up to the limit set out above, wherein two applicants would work on the same project. In the event that the application is successful, both applicants would be awarded ISRF Fellowships. For further details, please consult the FAQs.

Applications to Other Funding Bodies

Applicants may apply without prejudice to other funding bodies. If applications for identical projects were successful it would be expected that only one award (i.e. either the ISRF or another) would be accepted. If applications for either wholly or partly different projects are successful there should be no duplication in the budget headings funded by the ISRF and another body.

All awards are conditional upon acceptance of our Standard Award Terms & Conditions.

The Application

The Research Proposal

All applicants will be expected to provide the following details as part of their proposal:

• The Research Topic: The project’s focus, problem, or question (250 words)
• Background: Current research reference points and their limitations in relation to the Research Topic (250 words)
• Project Thesis: The hypotheses or innovative claims the research may enable you to support (250 words)
• Methodology: Methods and procedures your research will employ, with description of your main disciplinary technique(s), including interactions across disciplines as required (250 words)
• Work Plan: How your methods and procedures will be structured over the period of the award, including share of work time to be devoted to award research (250 words)
• Outcomes: Describe project contribution, dissemination, any further steps and longer-term goals (250 words)
• Ethics Statement: Any measures required for ethical conduct of the research, including needed regulatory compliance (300 words)

The Submitted Application

This will be read by academic evaluators who are social scientists but not necessarily in the applicant’s own field; applicants should bear this in mind when writing their application.

In order to be considered for the award, all applications must comprise the following:

A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM, TO INCLUDE:

• An Abstract (300 words) of the research’s aims, methods, contribution to knowledge, and value in realising the goals of ISRF.
• A completed, anonymised Research Project Proposal form (1800 words total).

  For example Research Proposals from previous Political Economy Fellows, see the project pages for Sarah Marie Hall & Ellie Jupp.

• An anonymised Bibliography in support of the proposal, limited to two sides of A4 (this should be uploaded as an additional attachment)
• An anonymised Budget.

A CURRICULUM VITAE

• Including a list of relevant publications.

Institutional Approval

Applicants must confirm that their home institution is aware of their application, and should provide the contact details for the relevant Administrative Officer. Should your application progress, this Officer (Institutional Approver) will be asked to confirm, on behalf of your department and institution that:

• You will be granted the period and proportion of time requested in the Duration and Timing section;
• If replacement costs are requested, you will be in receipt of your normal salary during tenure of the award and the institution will provide cover;

It is therefore advisable that your Head of Department be aware of your application before you submit.

How to Apply

Application Procedure

Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English.

Completed applications must arrive – via the online application system – no later than 5:00pm BST on 1st July 2022.

A candidate may submit only one application.† Applicants can expect to be informed of the result of their applications by email by the end of December 2022.

† A Mid-Career Fellowship (MCF6) competition is running concurrently. Eligible applicants may submit an application for each competition, each containing a discrete (i.e. different) project proposal. Such applications will be considered individually – however, multiple awards will not be made to the same applicant. Political Economy applications should not be submitted for MCF6.