The Early Career Research and Innovation Fellowship Scheme (ECRIF), which is part of the Researcher and Innovator Development Academy (RIDA) offering at Sheffield Hallam University, provides targeted support in the form of research time allocation of 0.4FTE over a 12-month period.
The scheme is open to staff on a Teaching and Research or Research Contract who can demonstrate they are at an early stage of their research career with a proven record of research and/or innovation activity and can demonstrate the potential to be a future independent researcher or future research leader.
ECRs at Sheffield Hallam are typically academic staff who have recently completed their doctorate, or have equivalent research experience, and may also include more experienced academic staff who are restarting their research careers and applications are strongly encouraged from under-represented groups, including female colleagues and members of minority groups. The fellowship time can be used to establish a research and innovation portfolio and/or develop a new research area or collaboration.
Successful ECRI Fellows are expected to lead a programme of research and innovation activity which may include, for example, a significant piece of publishable work, the establishment of a new research and innovation area, a new external collaboration, or the development of a major funding application. Each Fellowship also includes a bespoke support programme with an assigned mentor, and tailored development events across the cohort of Fellows.
ECRI Fellows will be on a trajectory to be future independent researchers/research leaders and are expected to proactively engage with their peers and local research activities to contribute to enriching the overall research and innovation environment at Sheffield Hallam.
Since its launch in 2021 the scheme has generated substantial support, enthusiasm, and engagement from across the entire institution, with 68 fellowships awarded.
Details of previous and current Fellowships are available via the Research and Innovation Services SharePoint along with further information about the scheme and FAQs.