The BERA Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network seeks to provide financial support to its members with one such offer being the ‘Event Funding Scheme’. The ‘Event Funding Scheme’ provides up to four grants (of up to £1000.00) per annum, intended to support early career researchers (ECRs) in the 24 months following completion of their doctorate. Specifically, the scheme supports such members attendance at non-BERA events that they consider will contribute to their continued development. The funding can be used for costs associated with conference registration fees, travel and/or accommodation. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be within 24 months of the completion of their doctorate (taken as the date which they passed their viva)
• Applicants must be a current BERA member
• Applicants can be based in the UK or internationally

Applications are particularly welcomed where applicants have submitted (and preferably had accepted) abstracts for presentation. 

There are four application periods per year as follows:
Period 1: May 1^st – July 31^st 2019
Period 2: August 1^st – October 31^st 2019
Period 3: November 1^st – January 31^st 2020
Period 4: February 1^st – April 30^th 2020 (this period has been cancelled due to the ongoing uncertainties) 

The event for which you are seeking financial support must take place at least 3 months after the closing date of the period within which you submit your application. For example, for an event taking place in March 2020, your application should be submitted within period 2, the closing date for which is October 31^st 2019. By doing so, it means that applicants receive a decision regarding the outcome of their application well in advance of the event taking place. As such, it enables best use to be made of the financial support, for example, enabling successful applicants to take advantage of ‘early bird’ conference registrations fees.

There is an expectation that on returning from their conference(s), applicants will submit a report to BERA outlining their experiences and will also contribute a BERA blog on the research they presented at the conference (where applicable).

Applications will be reviewed following the closing date of each period and all applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application (regardless of whether or not this was successful) within four weeks of the closing date.

N.B: All claims must be made in accordance with BERA’s expenses policy which can be found here

Apply now