The Royal Society Funding Opportunties

University Research Fellowship is now open – The University Research Fellowship is currently open to applications for outstanding scientists who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their field. These long-term fellowships provide the opportunity and freedom to build an independent research career in the UK or Republic of Ireland and pursue cutting-edge scientific research.

The Society is pleased to announce that applications in the biomedical sciences remit will now be eligible for the scheme. For a full list of subject areas eligible for the round and future rounds of the University Research Fellowship, please see our guidance page .
Hear from some current award holders about how to apply for this scheme

Lisa Jardine Grant Scheme – The Lisa Jardine Grant Scheme is designed to encourage the free movement of researchers across disciplines and countries and stimulate academics studying intellectual history to consider science in their research. The scheme is currently open to applications and closes Wednesday 22 September 2021, 3pm

UKRI Funding Opportunity

Scale up health inequality prevention and intervention strategies

Apply for funding to carry out a pilot study for the Mobilising Cultural and Natural Assets to Combat Health Inequalities programme. You must be:

• a UK resident
• hosted by a research organisation eligible for AHRC funding.

The study should focus on how to scale up small, local approaches for addressing health inequalities.

NIHR Funding Alert

The following new funding opportunities are available:

Community-based COVID-19 platform study for novel antivirals
Harkness Fellowships in Health Care Policy and Practice

Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme
An NIHR and MRC partnership
21/529 Efficacy trials in regenerative medicine

Public Health Research (PHR) Programme
21/525 Permitted Developments Rights
21/527 Development Award – Local authority-level research priorities on climate change
21/530 Application Development Award – Healthy extended working lives
  For more information and a list of all current funding opportunities, please visit the NIHR website.

The Royal Society Summer Science Hub

Summer Science countdown to 8 July

Between 8 – 11 July the Summer Science Exhibition brings you a free online programme of inspiring short talks, fascinating interactive workshops, fun science from home activities and exciting digital content.

Explore the cutting-edge UK based research that is working to answer questions such as what is a bee’s favourite flower, or would you trust a robot surgeon? Alongside an exciting programme of live shows and talks, our Big Summer Science quiz with special guest appearances including Professor Brian Cox, launches the event on Wednesday 7 July at 6.30pm. Plus you can journey to the past to explore the Royal Society’s rich history and archive collection through interactive showcases and our Doodle of the day drawing challenge.

UKRI funding Opportunity

Pre-announcement: clinical academic research partnerships 2021

01-07-2021 09:00 AM BST Apply for funding to develop your research interests through a collaborative partnership. You must be a research-qualified healthcare professional at consultant level or equivalent. You must not be currently undertaking any substantial research activity. You must have a research partner based at an eligible research organisation.

NIHR

Operational priorities unveiled in ‘Next Chapter’  – The NIHR has published Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter, setting out NIHR’s operational priorities now and into the future.

New wave of AI technologies in £36 million funding boost – A mental health app that could help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression is among the technologies funded in the second round of the Artificial Intelligence in Health and Care Award.

Shaping the future of clinical research delivery in the UK – The UK government has set out the tangible steps being taken to begin to further strengthen the clinical research ecosystem to capitalise on innovation, be resilient in the face of future healthcare crises and benefit all patients across the UK. 

NIHR is working with a cross-sector partnership, including the NHS, regulators, medical research charities, and life sciences industry, to ensure delivery of this ambitious plan.

AdvanceHE

Launch of  the  transformed UK Athena Swan Charter   

The new framework is ready for new and existing UK members to use from the 30 June 2021 onwards. Existing Athena Swan Charter practitioners may continue working with the post-May 2015 framework until November 2022. 
 
You can watch our short video on the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter here.  
 
There is also a  blog from the Chair of the Athena Swan Governance Committee, Professor Parveen Yaqoob, and a short interview video of Parveen discussing the transformation. 
 
About the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter 
 
The transformed UK Athena Swan Charter is a newly enhanced framework developed in full consultation with sector practitioners, EDI Champions and specialist sub-groups overseen by the Athena Swan Governance Committee. The framework has been transformed based on the recommendations made in the Independent Review led by the Athena Swan Steering Group.  
  

Advance HE members can apply for Athena Swan awards recognising their gender equality efforts as usual but can expect; 

• A paradigm shift from prescription to autonomy and flexibility.  
• Advance HE moving from being in a position of assessment to a developmental and supporting approach
• A reduction in administrative burden including a halving of data requirements.  

Dissemination events for Athena Swan practitioners 
 
Advance HE is hosting a number of events throughout the summer to assist members in learning more about the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter. 
 
Dissemination events are now open for registration and can be accessed by following the links below. All of these events will be recorded and made available on our website at a later date. 

Book for the University and Department introduction to the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter – Friday 30 July from 14:00 – 15:30 BST 
 
Book for the Research Institute introduction to the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter - Monday 9 August from 14:00 – 15:30 BST
 

Book for the Professional, Technical and Operational Directorate practitioners introduction to the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter - Tuesday 10 August from 14:00 – 15:30 BST 

 
Information packs  
 
To make it easier for you to find everything you need to know about the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter there are downloadable information packs. Each pack is tailored for a particular applicant type, so you’ll be able to choose the one that is most relevant to you. 

For further information about the changes being made to the UK Athena Swan Charter, and how it affects you and your institution, please visit our website or get in touch with our expert advisory team via Athena.Swan@advance-he.ac.uk