Call for Expressions of Interest: Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship
Please note, the following information describes an internal pre-application selection process. It is not authorisation to make an application to the Leverhulme Trust through this institution.
Leverhulme Scheme
Applications in all areas of Asian, Middle Eastern and related studies are invited for these Fellowships, from suitably qualified researchers in the early stages of an academic career who wish to base their research in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. A previous connection with the University is not required; applications are particularly welcome from those who obtained their doctorates from other institutions. “The Trust believes that the development of an academic career is best served by gaining experience at different institutions. Applicants who have not already moved institutions in the course of their academic career (i.e. between their undergraduate university and proposed host institution) should nominate a new host institution, or otherwise demonstrate clear evidence of the academic and/or personal reasons for remaining at the same institution, such as access to highly specialist equipment or a highly specialized research team.” The Fellowship requires the support of a Member of the Faculty willing to act as Mentor.
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships are aimed at supporting those at a relatively early stage of their academic careers but with a proven record of research. Fellowships are tenable for three years on a full-time basis. Requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period may also be considered.
Applicants must have submitted their doctoral thesis for examination by the closing date, and no more than four years before the closing date, i.e. not before 20 February 2021, unless they have had a career break. Applicants must not hold or have held a permanent academic position in a UK university or comparable institution, and must have a doctorate or equivalent research experience. Applicants must also either hold a degree from a UK higher education institution at the time of taking up the Fellowship, or at the time of the application deadline must hold an academic position in the UK (e.g. fixed-term lectureship, fellowship) which commenced no less than 4 months prior to the closing date. Hence, those who do not hold a UK degree and whose UK academic position commenced after October 2024 are not eligible.
For more information on the scheme, including eligibility, please see https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships.
How to apply
The Faculty will normally be able to support one application to the Leverhulme Trust. Please note that being selected by the Faculty does not ensure the award of a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, but we will work with you to ensure as strong a submission as possible. The application stages to be followed are:
- apply to the Faculty
- if put forward by the Faculty, enter into discussion with our Research Facilitator to strengthen your application
- submit your application to Leverhulme for consideration.
Please note that you cannot apply to Leverhulme identifying Oxford as your place for holding the Fellowship without first applying through the Faculty.
The internal deadline for applications to the Faculty is 4pm, Friday 6 December 2024.
You will need to identify a named mentor from among the permanent members of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, who must provide a statement of support – see below.
Applications should be sent electronically to ingrid.locatelli@humanities.ox.ac.uk by the above date marked ‘Leverhulme ECF 2025’ in the subject header. They should comprise a completed application form, plus a CV, statement of proposed research, and a Mentor Support Statement (details of these requirements are in the application form).
Candidates should feel free to include a statement of any circumstances which have impacted on their research progress (for example, periods of illness, or maternity / paternity leave, etc).
What happens next?
The Faculty will consider all applications received and forward its recommendations to the Humanities Division. The Division will then identify a number of applicants which it can support – this will happen in January. These applicants will be supported by our Research Facilitators in the completion of the full application to the Leverhulme Trust.
