SULSA wish to award outstanding Postdoctoral Researchers whose work shows excellent potential to make an impact in the field of life sciences.

This prize allows exceptional Postdoctoral Researchers to raise their profile in Scotland and have a prestigious award on their CV.  It includes a fully funded tour (worth £1,000) of three Scottish universities where the awardee will deliver a seminar and meet with staff to raise their profile around Scotland and develop their independent networks. In addition, the awardee will receive £1,000 of flexible funding to be used at their discretion for attending conferences, buying consumables, attending training courses or visiting collaborators etc.

There will be a winner for each of the following key life sciences areas: Human, Plant, Animal, Microbe

Eligibility

• Applicants must be a Postdoctoral Researcher in the life sciences and hold a PhD
• Applicants must be based at a SULSA university or institute and work in a PI’s laboratory
• This award is not suitable for researchers who are setting up their own laboratory
• Their contract must be valid for the duration of the funding (12 months). A letter from your supervisor stating your contract is likely to be extended will be accepted
• Applicants can self-nominate
• It is expected that applicants will be within approximately two years of applying for their first independent position, however we will accept applications from Postdoctoral Researchers at all levels

Funding Information and Conditions

• Your visits must be completed within 12 months of being awarded, or (if less) the duration of your contract at your host institution.
• You must have your application signed by your PI to demonstrate their support.

Judging Criteria

• Research Vision
• Scientific merit and potential
• Publication output and grant funding
• Research impact such as public engagement, policy work, knowledge exchange, etc

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present a 3-minute thesis style presentation via Zoom to our judging panel. You must be available to present on w/c 13th May 2024 (your allocated slot will be confirmed after shortlisted candidates have been selected). If you are unable to attend, you cannot be considered.

Key Dates

• Call Opens: Monday 19th February 2024
• Information Session: Thursday 29th February 2024
• Application Deadline: Monday 15th April 2024
• Applicants Informed of Outcome: by w/c 29th April 2024
• SULSA ECR Prize Virtual Presentations: w/c 13th May 2024
• ECR Prize University Tour: to take place before 31st July 2025

Submitting Your Application
Applicants must submit their application (merged into a single PDF) to jill.inkster@glasgow.ac.uk at SULSA by 5pm on Monday 15th April 2024

Notification of Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome via email by w/c 29th April 2024

Organisation of Tour
If successful, you will manage the organisation and logistics of your seminar tour. SULSA will be available to help with introductions where required.

Payment of Funds
If successful, funds will be transferred to your Institution and must be spent by 31st July 2025

Awardee Reporting
You must provide the SULSA administration with project updates and outcomes when requested for reporting purposes. You will receive a survey to complete 3-months post-project completion and 1-year post-project completion. If this project leads to a published article, or leverages grant funding, please contact the SULSA administration to make them aware.

Applicant Reporting
After awarding SULSA will circulate a demographic survey to all applicants of this funding call. The information is collected anonymously and is used internally by SULSA to understand the diversity of our applicants and identify areas for improvement. This information will not be shared with reviewers and will be held in accordance with SULSA’s privacy policy.

Call now closed and will re-open 19th February 2024.