Applications in all areas of History are invited for these Fellowships, from suitably qualified researchers in the early stages of an academic career who wish to base their research in the Faculty of History at the University of Oxford. A previous connection with the University is not required; applications are particularly welcome from those who obtained their doctorates from other institutions. The Fellowship requires the support of a member of the Faculty willing to act as Mentor.
It is expected that, as in previous years, the Faculty will be able to support two applications to the Leverhulme Trust. Please note that being selected by the Faculty does not ensure the award of a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, but we will work with you to ensure as strong a submission as possible. The application stages to be followed are:
- apply to the Faculty via Research Committee
- if successful, enter into discussion with our Research Facilitator to strengthen your application
- submit your application to Leverhulme for consideration.
Please note that you cannot apply to Leverhulme identifying Oxford as your place for holding the Fellowship without first applying through the Faculty.
Eligibility Criteria
Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships are aimed at supporting those at a relatively early stage of their academic careers but with a proven record of research. Applicants must have submitted their doctoral thesis no more than four years before the closing date, i.e. not before 24 February 2018, unless there has been a career break; or no earlier than 24 Feb 2017, “if their work has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic”. Fellowships are tenable for three years on a full-time basis. Requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period may also be considered. Candidates must have a doctorate or equivalent research experience; and must either have a UK degree or have been employed in an academic position within the UK for at least 4 months prior to applying. However, applicants must not hold, or have held, a permanent academic position in a UK university or comparable institution. Those currently registered for a doctorate must have submitted their thesis by the closing date of 24 February 2022.
For more information on the scheme, including eligibility, please see https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships. The Leverhulme online application process will open on 1 January 2022 and its deadline for the 2022 competition will be 4 p.m. on 24 February 2022.
The internal deadline for applications to the Faculty is 5pm Friday 3 December 2021.
How to apply to the Faculty of History
Applications should be sent electronically to rf@history.ox.ac.uk by 5pm Friday 3 December 2021 marked ‘Leverhulme ECF 2022’ in the subject header. They should comprise:
- a CV, two pages at most, including education, publications, any awards, thesis title, and examiners;
- a draft statement of post-doctoral research, two pages at most;
- a 150-word abstract summarising the research for a general audience;
- an indication of what additional research expenses may be claimed – this can be submitted as a separate document, one page at most;
- a named mentor from among the permanent members of the Faculty of History, who must provide a statement of support – see (a) below.
Candidates are in addition asked to ensure that the Faculty receives the following:
(a) a statement from their proposed mentor confirming their willingness to support the application and indicating how the research would fit within the Faculty, sent directly to rf@history.ox.ac.uk by 5pm Friday 3 December 2021. We advise all applicants to contact us at rf@history.ox.ac.uk as early as possible before submitting their application, with the name of their proposed mentor, so that we can send them guidance on preparing their mentor statement.
(b) an academic reference that addresses the significance and originality of the research project and the candidate's fitness to undertake it, sent directly to rf@history.ox.ac.uk by 5pm Friday 3 December 2021.
What happens next?
Once the Faculty has considered the applications received (which is expected to happen by mid-January 2022) and forwarded its recommendations to the Humanities Division, the successful applicants will be supported by our Research Facilitator in the completion of the full application to the Leverhulme Trust. All applicants to the Faculty will be notified of whether their application has been successful or not, but detailed feedback will not be given.
