The first few years of life as a researcher is a critical period in which to develop academic relationships, establish professional support mechanisms, and secure funding.
Navigating this window of opportunity can be challenging, which is why the British Academy launched the Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) – a free-to-join, researcher-led membership body accessible to all UK-based early career researchers (ECRs) working in the humanities and social sciences, regardless of their funding history or background.
The ECRN’s core aim is to strengthen skills, expand professional networks, and support diverse career pathways through training, workshops, events, mentoring and collaborative opportunities. Example topics include:
- Media training
- Engaging with policymakers
- How to write a compelling grant application
- Let’s talk interdisciplinarity: value and practicalities of working across disciplines
- Communicating social sciences to wider audiences
- Planning impact
- Careers outside academia: what to expect
- Value and impact: a look at international collaborations
- From thesis to monographs: getting your PhD published
- Grant and publications writing retreats
Unique funding opportunities
In an increasingly competitive research funding landscape, the ECRN also offers funded pathways to boost your career:
Development Fund Stream 1 – Event Convening
Through the Development Fund, ECRs can apply for up to £3,000 to organise an event for the Network. This funding offers members the opportunity to host new events that contribute meaningfully to the personal and professional development of ECRs – both for organisers and participants. Events should clearly demonstrate their value and impact on the research community. They can be thematic, discipline-specific, or designed to foster community engagement, knowledge exchange, and networking among ECRs.
Development Fund Stream 2 – Personal and professional Development
Network members can access up to £200 towards attending a conference, training or workshop being organised outside of the Network, cover Professional Association membership fees or costs for travel to in-person job interviews, research group meetings, or other key meetings that will have a direct and positive impact to your professional and personal development. There are no geographical restrictions, these opportunities can be based in the UK or abroad.
Travel and Accommodation support
If required, Network members can request to have their travel and accommodation costs covered when attending a Network event.
Seed Fund
This programme is designed to provide ECRs, particularly those with limited experience in securing funding, an opportunity to enhance their research portfolio and gain leverage for further funding from the Academy and other sources. For the 2025-26 call, applicants could request up to £5,000 for nine-month projects.
Who is eligible to take part?
To take part in the ECRN, you must meet the following broad eligibility criteria:
- To identify as an ECR, defined as someone who has completed their PhD qualification or has equivalent research experience.
- To identify as a researcher in the SHAPE disciplines (the humanities and social sciences) including associated performance and creative disciplines.
- To be currently or primarily based in the UK.
- Staff on teaching-only contracts who identify as research-active and practice-based researchers and academics are equally welcome.
- Membership is for those who have completed PhDs, typically within ten years of award, but allows flexibility for those who have had career breaks.
The network operates nationwide across nine regional ‘clusters’ (including the Midlands and Mid-Wales, of which the University of Worcester is a member). These support delivery of the network in their respective region but do not direct the activities of researchers.
There are no expectations of members regarding how they engage with the network – they are free to engage as little or as much as they want to.
How to make the most of the ECRN
- Sign up and explore the online platform: Connect yourself with thousands of researchers and gain access to events and other resources (see screenshot below).
- Attend events regularly: These opportunities are a quick and effective means of strengthening your profile within the research community.
- Seek mentorship: Twice a year, the network’s Encourage and Engage Programme pairs ECRs with Fellows of the British Academy working in similar subject areas, providing them with valuable advice and insights on how to best navigate a career in research and academia.
- Apply for funding and leadership opportunities: Seek support for event hosting and travel/accommodation costs that will have a direct and positive impact on your personal and professional development.
Further resources
- ECRN testimonials: read comments and feedback from members that demonstrate the true impact of the Network and the community it has created.
- Podcast: Confessions of an Early Career Researcher: e.g. Episode 2 – From draft to grant: Funding in academia.
