ISRF Political Economy Research Fellowship Competition (PERF3)

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.

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.‡

† 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 applications2020@isrf.org for further information.

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.

Duration and 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 2021.

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 £70,000† 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 £70,000. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €83,000 (fixed as of 1st January 2020 – this will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations).

The Research Proposal

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

• The Research Idea: The innovative thesis of the project (250 words)
• Background: Current research reference points and their limitations (250 words)
• The Focus: How the research provides a fresh approach to real-life problems (250 words)
• Theoretical & Methodology: What conceptual innovation the research is aiming at, and how different disciplinary inputs will interact in empirical inquiry – specific methodological examples are often helpful for non-specialist readers (500 words)
• Work Plan: How the work will be organised over the award period and what outputs are intended (250 words)
• Outcome: What further steps and what longer-term outcome are envisaged (250 words)
• Ethics Statement: Any measures required for ethical conduct of the research (300 words)