Isaac Newton Trust / University of Cambridge Early Career Support Scheme for the Schools of Physical Sciences and Technology

The 2019/20 round has now closed.  We anticipate the next round to be announced in September/October 2020.

The INT Early Career Support scheme is for University Lecturers in the physical sciences and technology. This scheme is for newly appointed lecturers who have been appointed in the last three years. It is designed to aid academics in beginning their research careers.  To facilitate this, the funding can be used as flexibly as possible in giving applicants money for their research as best suits their needs. Applicants must demonstrate how this funding will lead to future applications for external funding.

Proposals are invited for projects of up to £55,000, for a period of up to 1 year. 50% (up to £27,500) will be provided by the Isaac Newton Trust and the remaining 50% (up to £27,500) must be provided by the home Department. The departmental contribution must come from departmental funds, and not another grant. The eligible expenditure includes directly incurred and allocated costs only. The grants can be used to fund PDRA support, equipment, travel and ancillary consumables. PI Time and student fees are not eligible costs on this grant.

The application should include:

• Proposal with the breakdown of the budget* requested (maximum 2 pages A4)
• CV and publications (maximum 2 pages A4)
• Statement of support from the Head of the Department, outlining why they recommend the project for funding and confirming that the department will provide 50% of the project cost.
• Information about funding received to date, to include:
  • the starting packages received when appointed to the lectureship
  • grant funding to date
• An explanation of how this proposal relates to your current funding and how it would lead to future large-grant funding (maximum 1 page A4)

*X5 is not requested at the application stage, but will be needed at the award stage. Please liaise with your Departmental Administrator to make sure the project costs are correctly calculated.

Note: where applicable, a statement in relation to ethical reviews, outlining what permissions the applicant has and what they would need, should be included.

Please send any enquiries to researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk.