Recently appointed Assistant and Associate Professors in the Schools of Technology and the Physical Sciences are invited to apply to the Isaac Newton Trust (INT) Early Career Research Support scheme. 

Isaac Newton Trust / University of Cambridge

The aim of the funding 

The scheme aims to support recently appointed Assistant and Associate Professors with start-up funds to kick-start their research careers and attract further external funding. In line with the main goal of the scheme, priority for funding will be given to those candidates who do not already have substantial existing funding. Key criteria for funding include the quality of the proposed research and its potential to lead to an application to an external funder.  

Eligibility  

Applicants must be University Assistant or Associate Professors (established or unestablished) who have been appointed in the last three years between 01 October 2020 and 31 December 2023. 

• Applicants must be based at Cambridge at the start of the award – the scheme does not cover projects for PIs based outside the University of Cambridge.  
• Applicants commencing their post in the University after 31 December 2023 are eligible to apply only if their appointment letter was dated within the above-mentioned window and if they will be based at Cambridge at the start of the project.  
• Normally, past recipient for this scheme will not be supported for a second INT/UCAM award. 

• Duration 

  Projects can last up to 12 months, and successful applicants will have 12 months from the award date to start their projects. All projects should end within two years from the award date. 

  Funding available 

  Proposals can cost up to £60,000 – where 50% (up to £30,000) will be covered by the Isaac Newton Trust, and the remaining 50% (minimum £30,000) must be provided by the hosting Department. The departmental contribution must come from departmental funds, not another research grant. Only directly incurred and directly allocated costs are allowed as eligible expenditure and support can be sought to fund PDRA support, equipment, travel, and ancillary consumables. PI time or student fees are not eligible.  

  Assessment criteria 

  Key criteria for funding

• the quality of the proposed research  
• its potential to lead to an application to an external funder 
• level of secured funding to date – and whether INT/UCAM funding would make a significant difference to the applicant’s research trajectory (please remember that candidates who have secured substantial funding to date will not be considered in the spirit of the scheme) 

• Applications will be assessed by select senior academics from across the Schools of Technology and the Physical Sciences. They will be looking for evidence that proposals match the goals of the scheme. Please note that they might not be experts in the subject area of the proposal – candidates are encouraged to consider their audience when writing their proposals.