Postdoctoral Impact Awards of up to 10k per project are available to, Research Assistants (RAs), Postdoc Research Associates (PDRAs), and PhD students. You must have completed and been awarded your PhD prior to the start date of the project.
The award aims to provide opportunities for career and personal development through Knowledge Exchange and impact related activities within the Economic and Social Science (ESRC) remit.
Are you looking to gain experience working as a Principal Investigator on a research council funded project?
Dr Ceri Brown Co-I, Department of Education, says:
As convenor of a research group, I can attest to the benefits realised from the post-doc award for the individual, research project and wider research group. The postdoc award has been a fantastic opportunity for a talented ECR to gain valuable research leadership experience in a leading on a key aspect of a wider programme of research. This has helped to broaden and embed the wider research project aims and objectives, it has enabled the generation of impactful new partnerships with non-academic stakeholders, and has also enabled the opportunity for growth and development for an emergent research star. As a consequence we have enjoyed benefits to the project, research group, department and University in playing a part to ensure that we retain our key talent.
Do you have an idea for an impact project related to research, but not sure how to get it funded?
Dr Rachel Arnold Co-I, Department for Health, says:
The ESRC IAA award helped us to work with a group of midwives, to translate the findings of our collaborative research with them into an animated video that could be used in their study days and training materials. The experience highlighted to us the true value of co-production, with the midwives providing incredibly insightful inputs into the optimal design of an engaging video for use in their study days. This could be integrated into their working lives in order to best raise awareness of occupational stress and how it can be effectively managed.
Dr Zoe Anchors PI postdoc, Department for Health, says:
In my experience as a postdoc, there is often insufficient time or funding to action research findings. The ESRC IAA Post Doc Impact Award allowed us to collaborate with midwives to target occupational stress within midwifery. The Stress and Thriving in Midwifery has been highlighted in the media, and it will show clear evidence of impact in my research career.
Want the opportunity to lead a project gain new knowledge and skills?
Dr Alison Douthwaite PI, Department of Education, says:
The Postdoc funding gave me a really valuable opportunity to lead a project and develop new skills and connections both internally and external to the University. As well as enlarging my network of contacts with South West school and Local Authority staff, it enabled me to make contact with a colleagues in Education, Health and also in the Maths Resource Centre (MASH). I deepened my understanding of piloting a measure and considerations in taking steps towards validating a measure. These have all been really important in terms of refining my understanding of the value and impact of Connected Belonging in developing whole school approaches to wellbeing support.
The ESRC IAA Post Doc Impact Award aims to provide these opportunities for career and personal development via impact related activities, projects and support.
The ESRC IAA team is providing a supported application process to eligible postdocs. This includes confirming your eligibility for the award; support you planning your project for maximum outputs and impacts, and guidance on your project budget and PAM.
Interested in funding for an Impact project up to £10,000?
If you are a RA, PDRA or PhD graduate please: