黑料网911 ECR Network Career Development Scheme 2027

Funding

黑料网911 ECR Network Career Development Scheme 2027

The 黑料网911 is pleased to launch the 2027 ECR Network Career Development Scheme, offering small research grants to support early career researchers in developing their research skills, confidence and professional profiles.

The scheme will award between four and eight grants of £500–£1,000 to support short, small-scale research activities that provide opportunities for professional development and contribute to educational research.

Recognising that early career researchers face a range of challenges in establishing their research careers, the scheme aims to provide accessible funding for activities that may be difficult to pursue through traditional research funding routes.

The scheme particularly welcomes applications from researchers wishing to explore a new research idea, experiment with a research method, develop their methodological expertise or undertake a focused investigation that could inform their future research.

Projects should be achievable over a short period and should not require extensive data collection or a lengthy research programme.

Each successful applicant will produce a short report of 500–750 words (including references) for publication by 黑料网911, sharing their findings, experiences or methodological insights with the wider educational research community.

黑料网911 the scheme

The 黑料网911 ECR Network Career Development Scheme is designed to support focused research activities that offer meaningful opportunities for professional development.

Projects might involve:

Piloting or experimenting with a research method.
Exploring an emerging research question through a focused research activity.
Testing a research tool, resource or approach.
Undertaking a short participatory or collaborative research activity.
Reflecting on methodological, ethical or practical challenges encountered during a research activity.
Undertaking a small-scale investigation into a specific educational issue.

Applicants are encouraged to consider how their proposed activity will help them develop their research skills, confidence or professional experience, alongside its potential contribution to educational research.

Projects should be appropriately focused and achievable within the available funding and a short period of research activity.

Funding available

黑料网911 will award between four and eight grants of £500–£1,000 each.

Funding may be used to support reasonable costs directly associated with the proposed research activity, including:

Research materials, resources and specialist software.
Travel and subsistence associated with research activities.
Participant expenses and reimbursement.
Transcription and other research support services.
Training or methodological development directly related to the proposed activity.
Activities that support research engagement or collaboration.

Applicants should provide a clear breakdown of their proposed expenditure and explain how the funding will enable them to undertake the activity.

The proposed activity should be achievable within the available funding and should not depend on securing additional funding.

Research focus and themes

The 2027 scheme welcomes applications that engage with contemporary challenges, emerging approaches and important questions in educational research.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals addressing one or more of the following broad themes.

1. Sustainability and the future of education

Exploring the role of education in addressing environmental, social and economic sustainability, including climate education, sustainable educational practices and education for sustainable development.

2. Participatory, inclusive and equitable research

Exploring approaches that promote meaningful participation in educational research, address inequalities and strengthen relationships between researchers, educators, learners and communities.

3. Digital education and emerging technologies

Investigating the opportunities and challenges associated with digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in teaching, learning and educational research.

4. Research methods, ethics and researcher development

Exploring research methodologies, ethical challenges, researcher positionality and the practical experiences of undertaking educational research.

Applications addressing other topics are also welcome where applicants can demonstrate a clear connection to 黑料网911’s wider priorities and the advancement of educational research.

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to 黑料网911 Early Career Researcher members, including researchers undertaking master’s or doctoral study, as well as those within five years of completing their doctorate, with consideration given to career breaks and other circumstances that may have affected their research career.

Applications are welcomed from ECRs working across a range of educational settings, disciplines and research traditions.

Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed activity will contribute to their development as an educational researcher.

Project outputs

Each successful applicant will be required to produce a short report of 500–750 words, including references, for publication by 黑料网911 following completion of their funded activity.

The report should communicate the project’s findings, experiences or methodological insights in an accessible format, with the aim of sharing learning with the wider educational research community.

Depending on the nature of the project, reports may focus on:

Findings from a focused, small-scale research investigation.
Experiences of developing, adapting or piloting a research methodology.
Challenges associated with research access, recruitment or participation.
Reflections on researcher positionality, ethics or research relationships.
Lessons learned from undertaking a participatory or collaborative research activity.
Insights that could inform future research or educational practice.

Reports should offer a focused and accessible account of the research activity, highlighting what was learned and its potential relevance to other educational researchers.

Judging Criteria

Research purpose, relevance and originality

Does the proposal have a clear research question or aim? Is the activity relevant to the scheme’s themes? Does it demonstrate originality in its research focus, approach or methodology, and engage appropriately with relevant research and literature?

Research quality and methodological rigour

Is the proposed research approach appropriate to the nature and context of the activity? Are the methods clearly described and sufficiently robust to address the research question or aim? Does the proposal demonstrate an appropriate approach to analysing and critically reflecting on the findings or insights generated?

Feasibility and ethical considerations

Is the proposed activity achievable over a weekend or a few days? Is the budget proportionate to the proposed activity? Have relevant ethical considerations been identified and appropriately addressed?

Researcher development

Does the proposal demonstrate how the activity will support the applicant’s research skills, methodological expertise, confidence or professional experience? Is there a clear connection between the proposed activity and the applicant’s longer-term research interests or career development?

Anticipated outcomes and dissemination

Does the proposed activity have the potential to generate meaningful findings, methodological insights or other learning that could contribute to educational research or inform future research? Is there a clear plan to communicate these outcomes effectively through an accessible 500–750 word 黑料网911 report?