The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support independent-minded researchers to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.

The Foundation intends to make a small number of awards to support original interdisciplinary research, across the range of the social sciences, to be held from a start date no later than the end of December 2020. Scholars from within Europe are eligible to apply.

The award is intended to enable a scholar at the early-career stage to pursue his research full-time, for a period of up to 12 months. Applications may be made by those whose sole or principal post is a part-time equivalent. The amount will be offered to buy out the costs of replacing all teaching and associated administration in the applicant’s home institution, and will be considered to a maximum of £50,000* per successful applicant. Within that sum, reasonable support for research expenses may be considered on a matched-funding basis with the host institution.

The applicant should normally hold a salaried position at an institution of higher education and research, and be within 10 years of PhD award. Career breaks may be taken into account.

Applicants should consult the criteria as set out on the ISRF website and show that they meet them. Applicants should follow the application procedure and should present their proposal in the format specified there.

*Applicants based in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £50,000. All other applicants must apply in EUR (€), up to a limit to be fixed – and stated on the relevant page of the ISRF Website – on 1st January 2019. The EUR (€) limit will not subsequently be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.