ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.
Independent scholars from within Europe† are eligible to apply, and they will normally not hold an appointment, temporary or permanent, at an institution of higher education and research. Applications will be considered from those who hold part-time posts within academia and seek support for research carried out outside of their contracted hours. The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants full or partial relief from non-academic duties for a period of (up to) one year; applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is a part-time equivalent. The awards are not intended to support newly qualified scholars entering the post-doctoral stage.Normally applicants will hold a PhD. Other academic or professional qualifications may be considered, along with publications usually in peer-reviewed academic journals. Monographs, professional journals and the popular media may also be considered.For the purposes of this competition, an ‘Independent Scholar’ is understood as someone, whether or not currently in employment, who is engaged on intellectual work of a nature and standard comparable to that of a professional academic.There is no limitation on nationality – however, the proposed institutional affiliation must be with a European institution.
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.The research proposed may include, but is not confined to: initiation of a project or of research level work intended to draw on or contribute to one of the professions, completion of a project, or preparation of an article or monograph for publication, based on existing work.
THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
All applicants will be expected to provide the following details as part of their proposal (maximum of 1750 words total; 250 words per section):
- The Research Idea: The innovative thesis of the project.
- Background: Current research reference points and their limitations.
- The Focus: How the research provides a fresh approach to real-life problems.
- Theoretical novelty: What conceptual innovation the research is aiming at.
- Methodology: How different disciplinary inputs will interact in empirical inquiry.
- Work Plan: How the work will be organised over the award period and what outputs are intended.
- Outcome: What further steps and what longer-term outcome are envisaged.
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 Research Project Proposal form (1750 words total; 250 words per section)
- A Budget comprising a full outline of employment costs. If matched-funded research expenses are included for consideration, an explanation should be given as to why these are deemed necessary.
A CURRICULUM VITAE
- Including a list of publications
A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM A RECOGNISED SCHOLAR IN THE APPLICANT’S FIELD OF INTEREST, COVERING:
- The applicant’s status (personal academic reference).
- The research proposed (brief comment on how this meets the ISRF criteria).
- Why the research would not be funded by existing resources.
EMPLOYER APPROVAL
Where applicants wish to be bought out from existing employment (either wholly or in part) they must confirm that their employer is aware of their application, and should provide the contact details for the relevant contact. Should your application progress, this contact will be asked to confirm, on behalf of your employer, 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 employer will provide cover;
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants are expected to submit their complete application electronically via the online application system, in English. Alternative methods of application (i.e. postal applications) are available in certain circumstances – please contact the ISRF to discuss this.Completed applications must arrive no later than 4:00pm on 1st September 2017.A candidate may submit only one application. The proposals will be assessed on the same criteria and by the same selection process as the foundation’s professional academic fellowships.Applicants can expect to be informed of the result of their applications by letter by the end of December 2017.
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