The SPA is pleased to be introducing a new funding scheme specifically aimed at Early Career Researchers (ECRs). This scheme is dedicated to the facilitation of research.
Its aim is to create space for ECR SPA members to sustain their research momentum and secure concrete achievements at a stage in their career when these things can be especially challenging, due to other pressures and demands, and an increasingly competitive research funding environment.
- Funds up to £1000 may be applied for, with the possibility of follow-up funding in subsequent rounds.
- Grants received should be spent in the period July 2025-May 2026.
- We anticipate that this scheme will open again for applications, on similar lines, in May 2026 (see ‘What Next?’ at bottom)
- The deadline for applications: 15 June 2025 (Decisions to be communicated by 30 June 2025.)
WHO MAY APPLY?
Applicants must be:
- An SPA member since at the latest 1 January 2025 (so, continuously for at least six months prior to the opening of the funding window)
- An ECR, according to at least one of the following definitions:
- Within 3 years of PhD graduation date, or completion of equivalent research qualification
- On a temporary or fixed-term contract, without yet having occupied a permanent academic role
(NB: the way in which the applicant fits either definition should be explicitly stated in the application.)
Applicants must also
- Name a mentor for the project, ideally a Mid-Career Researcher – and necessarily someone who is beyond ECR stage.
- Provide an account in their application of how dialogue with the mentor will inform the work undertaken.
SCOPE
This scheme will support research in any area which directly pertains to Social Policy. For examples of how the SPA interprets the scope of Social Policy as a subject area, see: https://social-policy.org.uk/what-is-social-policy/
WHAT MAY CLR GRANT FUNDING BE SPENT ON?
Typical uses of Career-Launch Research Grant funding will include costs incurred in the carrying out of key aspects of the research in question, on items such as:
- Travel
- Subsistence
- Equipment
- Incentives for research participants
It may not be used
- for paying staff, employing research assistants or other colleagues
- as a complement to existing funding projects. (This award must be for a personal research project, independent of any work which is already supported under other research schemes.)
In case of any queries on appropriate use of funds, please contact the SPA Grants Officer – see below.
APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT
Applications should consist of:
- A description of what the funding would be spent on, of no more than 1000 words. The description should include details of
- The context, focal points, aims and research questions of the work in question
- Items of proposed spending, with costs outlined as precisely as possible
- The potential benefits of this work, including any outputs, forms of impact or opportunities for further research it can be expected to generate
- Evidence that for any relevant aspects of the research to be undertaken, either that ethical approval has already been granted by a host institution or other body as appropriate, or that concrete plans are in place for gaining such approval. In the latter case, evidence of any necessary institutional ethical approval will be required to be provided to the SPA as a condition of the release of awarded funds. (Please note that the SPA are not in a position to provide ethical approval, and cannot be held responsible for actions taken in the course of the work in question.)
- A 2-page academic CV
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Recipients of SPA Career Launch Research Grants will be expected to
- Provide a profile for the SPA website, of themselves and the work in question
- Write a short report on completion of the work, for the SPA website
- Share the outcomes of their event via blogs, podcasts and other appropriate media
- (Where appropriate), provide an article based on their work for the Social Policy Review, or the SPA website.
- Translate the research as appropriate into a contribution to the SPA’s annual conference.
TO APPLY
Please send your application or any enquiries to the SPA Grants Officer, Gideon Calder, via email: g.j.calder@swansea.ac.uk. Applications should be received by 23:59 (UK Time) on Sunday 15 June 2025. Gideon will be very happy to discuss ideas and give feedback on what may be most suitable for the scheme, as well as receiving applications.
WHAT NEXT?
Our plan is for this scheme to be reopened each year. In subsequent years, we will welcome applications for fresh projects, but will also be open to follow-up applications from those successful in previous rounds, to allow the projects in question to evolve and grow. Thus awards made in this first round may be used as seed-corn funding, or with longer-term aims in view. So while the £1000 limit for this round is strict, we expect that previously successful applicants will have the opportunity to apply for ‘Stage 2’ funding in 2026, and indeed ‘Stage 3’ funding in 2027, to an ultimate limit of £5000 per applicant in total. Other applicants – whether they have previously applied for funding or not – will be eligible to apply for Stage 1 funding in subsequent rounds, as per the current scheme. (NB: Each subsequent application will be assessed on its merits, with no guarantee of repeat funding. We will also reserve funds for fresh projects in each subsequent year.)