Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship Scheme

We are now CLOSED for applications to the 2024 scheme. We operate an internal shortlisting and selection process for this scheme, which means that our School deadline for applications is earlier than the Leverhulme deadline. We cannot therefore accept late applications. 

Please be aware that we operate an internal shortlisting process for this scheme, and only selected candidates will be invited to submit an application through the School. Applications for shortlisted candidates will receive detailed peer review. 

If you have any queries on this scheme which are not covered by these pages then please contact LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

We have left the guidance for the 2024 scheme up on this page as it may be useful if you are planning an application for 2025, though please note that the internal deadline is subject to change. 

2024 guidance

There are particular requirements regarding the timing of the submission of your thesis which should be carefully considered: for example, applicants are only eligible for the scheme for four years after their thesis submission, unless a career break has been taken.

Please note that you are strongly advised to check the updated eligibility requirements for this scheme on the Leverhulme Trust’s website.

LCS internal process for applications

The School internally shortlists for this scheme, and only selected candidates will be supported in submitting their application to the Leverhulme Trust. There is a School deadline for this scheme, and late applications will not be accepted.

Part one: the selection and shortlisting process

1. Find a mentor. This can be done at any stage – in fact, we encourage getting in touch at the earliest opportunity so that you can finalise your project in conjunction with your mentor. If you do not have a mentor in mind, please have a look at our research pages, staff profiles, and searchable mentor lists - and feel free to make contact directly with relevant colleagues. Alternatively you can contact LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk and we will put you in touch with some potential mentors. Your mentor will give you informal/ongoing peer review on draft project proposals and other required documents at all stages, but this will be particularly important and useful when you are preparing for the School’s internal shortlisting process (see below).
2. By 9am on Monday 4th December 2023  all applicants who wish to be considered for this scheme must submit the following for consideration by the School’s shortlisting panel:

1. Your outline case for support/project proposal (maximum 2 sides of A4). This should include the following:

• a brief description of your proposed project;
• a timeline mapping out your plan of activity across the three years of the postdoc;
• an explanation of how the project will contribute to your career development and the skills you would hope to develop over the course of the fellowship. 

2. A completed Expression of Interest (EoI) form 

100. Your academic CV (maximum of two sides of A4). This should include contact details, qualifications (including class and subject), and a list of your most relevant and recent publications

500. A separate document providing us with a brief explanation (no more than 300 words) of why your research project would be best carried out in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds.All applications will be considered by the School’s shortlisting committee, and candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks. Only successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full application through the School.

3. All applications will be considered by the School’s shortlisting committee, and candidates will be informed of the outcome of their application within two weeks. Only successfully shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full application through the School.

Part two: the peer review and submission process (for selected candidates only)

Peer review on applications will be given to candidates who are selected for submission through the shortlisting process. The following outlines the School’s peer review process for this scheme:

4. Once selected through the shortlisting process, you should immediately start to work on your application for the scheme through the Leverhulme’s Grants Management System, with the advice and support of your mentor. 
5. By 9am on Wednesday 10th January 2024, shortlisted applicants must submit a downloaded version of your full application from the Leverhulme system, and submit it to LCSResearch@leeds.ac.uk for peer review. Feedback will be provided within 7 – 10 days.
6. The University’s internal deadline for this scheme will be on Thursday 8th February 2024. Applications must be essentially finalised by this date, and must also be available to our teams so that financial information can be added and sign off set up, before the external deadline for the Leverhulme Trust of 4pm on Thursday 22 February 2024.

Timeline for the scheme/school process 

• 9am Monday 4th December 2023  – School deadline for candidates who wish to be considered as potential candidates for this scheme.
• Late December 2023 – Candidates to be notified as to the outcome of their application to the School: only selected/shortlisted candidates will take part in the rest of the timeline.
• 9am Wednesday 10th January 2024 – Shortlisted candidates must submit their complete draft application to the School for peer review. We aim to return feedback to applicants within 10 working days.
• 8th February 2024 – University internal closing date for applications.
• 22rd February 2024 – external scheme closing date.

Downloads

Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships expression of interest form 2024

It may be useful for you to look through this brief PowerPoint, which offers some advice for applicants to this scheme.