The Conference and Research Collaboration Fund for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) is open to research staff (staff on research-only contracts) within 8 years of their PhD award.*
The Fund has been created to enable ECRs to:
- Attend national and international conferences (both in-person and virtual) to present their research, gather valuable feedback and network with peers and others;
- Establish a new research collaboration with another university, institute or research team (interdisciplinary, international, cross-university).
ECRs can apply for funds covering conference fees, travel, facility access (e.g., when the new research collaboration requires access to a specialist facility), accommodation and sustenance of up to £800. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis by the Graduate School. Please contact Dr Victoria Schuppert, Senior Researcher Developer (Research Staff) for questions about the application.
If you have been successful in receiving the award, please contact your College Research Office who will be able to advise you on how to pay the conference fee, book travel and accommodation, and reclaim funds. Please do not book anything until you have spoken to them, as you may not be able to reclaim that money. There are Brunel policies in place when it comes to booking travel and reclaiming expenses by which we need to adhere.
Please see the application guidance linked to below for more information about the fund, as well as the application form.
Application Guidance
Application Form
*Regarding the 8 year limit, exceptions are being made for staff who have had career breaks and/or are returning to academia from another sector. Please contact Dr Victoria Schuppert (Senior Researcher Developer - Research Staff) in the Graduate School if that is the case.