This award is open to single applicants in their early career. Applicants must be based within an eligible higher education institution (HEI) and must be a current, early career member of the Regional Studies Association and throughout the duration of the grant (applicants can apply and become members at the same time).

Who is an early career researcher?

“Researchers who have been awarded a PhD within five years (or eight years, in case of documented significant career interruption for: maternity or parental leave; carer’s responsibility; illness; National Service; or non-research employment) of the closing date for that particular round of the scheme are eligible to apply. No additional time allowance will be made for part-time employment. Award is taken to mean the date of the award by the University – usually the date on the PhD certificate.”

For the purposes of clarity, this scheme is only available to post-doctoral researchers who have received their certificate.

Not (yet or anymore) an early career researcher? Check out the research and funding opportunities for student, individual and corporate members.

How will the grant be managed?

· Grants will only be allocated to single researchers. Co-authored applications are not eligible.

· The grant will be administered through the Higher Education Institution, which will normally be an institution with degree awarding powers or a national research institute.

· Recipients of this grant must be a member of the Regional Studies Association at the time of application and remain a member until at least the acceptance of the end of award report. Applications from corporate membership will not be accepted.

· Only one Early Career grant is possible per person.

· Grants are assigned on an individual basis, and not to research teams. No co-funding is possible.

· If a similar research application has been submitted or is about to be submitted to any other organisation(s), full details should be provided in the application form.

How does it work?

The RSA Early Career Awards are provided to support a discrete piece of regional studies and/or regional science research. The value of the award is up to £10,000 (or its equivalent in dollars or euros depending upon the agreed exchange rate at the time of the award). The award has a maximum time span of 18 months and reporting conditions apply. Only one award will be made to any successful applicant.

Funding the Award

The Regional Studies Association has made a minimum commitment of £160,000 to be disbursed before the end of 2013. This will be distributed across four rounds of the competition – one in 2011, two in 2012 and one in 2013 but the allocation of monies in each round will be determined by the quality of applications. There will, however, be a minimum of four grants available in each round. The Association may choose to release further funds in any round.

The full Terms and Conditions governing awards will be provided to successful applicants as part of the formal offer, based on the general terms and conditions set out below.

More details:

· RSA Grant Scheme Guidelines

· RSA Grant Scheme Application

· RSA Grant Scheme HEI support letter

· RSA Grant Scheme Midterm report

· RSA Grant Scheme Final report

· RSA Grant Scheme Financial report

· RSA Grant Scheme Impact report

Deadline for application is 16 December 2011 Back to top

Not (yet or anymore) an early career researcher? More research and funding opportunities from the Regional Studies Association

· Research Networks

· Travel Awards