University of Oxford
Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages
Call for Expressions of Interest: John Fell OUP Research Fund support for
applying to the Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship scheme
Please note, the following information outlines an internal pre-application selection
process. It is not authorisation to make an application to the Leverhulme Trust
through this Institution.
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship Scheme
The Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship scheme is aimed at those at a relatively
early stage of their academic career but with a proven record of research. The
Humanities Division has a track record with the Trust, having received four
fellowships over the past two years (with a number also awarded to other parts of the
University). While Fellowships are normally tenable for two or three years on a fulltime basis, the Fell Fund support will only be for two-year fellowships.
The Leverhulme eligibility criteria are that applicants must normally be under 35, not
hold or have held a permanent academic position in a UK university or comparable
institution, and have an awarded doctorate or equivalent research experience.
(Applications from those aged 35 and over will be considered if they began their
academic studies at a later age than is usual or if they have had a career change or
break.) The Leverhulme Trust also requires that candidates should normally hold a
degree from a UK higher education institution by the time of taking up the Fellowship.
Those without a UK degree will be considered if, at the time of application, they hold
an academic position in the UK. It is likely that applications from candidates having
an association with the UK academic community of less than two years' duration will
be strengthened by a move of employing institution.
The award requires matched funding from the institution and there is provision for
personal research expenses of up to £6k per year, if requested at the time of
application. The John Fell Fund will provide matching funding for one nomination
from the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages to the Leverhulme Trust.
The Leverhulme Early Career Fellow will normally be appointed by the Faculty of
Medieval and Modern Languages in the first three points of University Grade 7,
salary range currently £28,839 - £30,594, depending on experience.
Interested candidates must consult the Leverhulme website for full details of the
Leverhulme scheme, including further information about eligibility:
http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/early_career_fellowships/
For further information about applying from outside the University of Oxford, please
see the following page on the Humanities Division website:
http://www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/research/applying_from_outside_oxford/leverhulme_
early_career_fellowships
Before submitting an Expression of Interest, it is the candidate’s responsibility to find
a Faculty mentor willing to support the application.
Call for Expressions of Interest
The Faculty now invites expressions of interest from potential applicants in any field
of medieval and modern languages who wish to be considered for the Faculty’s
support in applying to the Leverhulme scheme (NB do not submit an application to
Leverhulme at this stage)
Expressions of interest must be received by noon on Friday 15 January 2010 and
should include the following:
1. a 150 word abstract summarising the research for a general audience;
2. a maximum two-page CV with education, publications, thesis title and
examiners;
3. a maximum two-page statement of research
(please note last year’s Leverhulme guidance stated: “If an applicant wishes to remain in the
same institution he or she should rehearse the academic and/or personal reasons for this.” If
you are currently at Oxford, please include justification of why it is appropriate for you to remain
here to hold an ECF, in the statement);
4. an indication of what additional research expenses may be claimed;
A note or email of support from your proposed mentor should be sent directly to the
Faculty by the same date. A full list of the members of the Faculty of Medieval and
Modern Languages and their research interests is available on the faculty website:
http://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/academics .
Expressions of interest must be sent to the Faculty Board Secretary, Medieval and
Modern Languages, 41 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JF; electronic applications
to administrator@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk .
Interviews will not be held. A nominee will be selected by a panel appointed by the
Faculty Board, and all applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application
as soon as possible after the closing date. The successful nominee will then be
given assistance with formulating an application for the Leverhulme Fellowship.
Further information may be obtained by e-mailing the Secretary to the Faculty Board,
joanna.nyirenda@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk