Announcing 2025 call for proposals for Early Career Researchers
by ISDR Council |
2025 Early Career Researcher Grant Program
Background
In 2023, the ISDR initiated a trial grant program for Early Career Researchers (ECR) who are members of our society, with a total of £10,000 available for awards. The aim of this program is to support ECRs by providing research funding to individuals and supporting scientific networks. ECRs are defined as 1) currently registered in a MSc or PhD program or 2) postgraduates within 8 years of the award of MSc or PhD or (extensions to the 8- year timeframe are permitted for periods of leave, including maternity, parental, and sick leave).
Two grant programs are open for submission until 1 October 2025 – the 1) Luc Ector Grant and the 2) Networking Grant.
Key Dates
8 July Informational webinar hosted by diatoms.org – North, South American time zones
21 July Informational webinar hosted by diatoms.org – Asian, South Pacific time zones
7 Aug. Informational meeting at IDS, South Africa & online African, European time zones
1 Oct. Proposal submission deadline
3 Oct. Proposals distributed to review panel
12 Nov. Review panel meets to determine awards
15 Nov. Announcement of awards
30 Nov. Funds distributed to awardees
Funds and project duration
Funds will be awarded from ISDR directly to the awardee in November 2025. Projects may begin at the ECRs time of choosing, but funds must be spent within 2 years and funds may not be applied retroactively. That is, applications for funds that have been already spent will be rejected. The budget may cover consumables, non-consumables, and travel expenses required exclusively for the project.
Reporting requirements
Successful grant awardees must agree to 1) provide a short project description for the ISDR website when the grant is awarded, 2) submit a project summary report within two years of the award, 3) participate in sharing project experiences with Young ISDR members through the ISDR website, ISDR meetings, or other conferences.
1. Luc Ector Grant (3 awards of £2,000 each)
The grant is named in honor of Luc Ector, a prominent and prolific diatomist known for his generosity and mentorship of young diatomists. The aim of the grant is to enable students to incorporate a new aspect into their research program (for example, travel to a conference, short research visits in a scientific institute, purchase of equipment, support publication costs, or another unfunded aspect of their work). Applicants submit a short proposal describing the proposed research, how the work will benefit the applicant’s career and the ISDR, motivation and objectives, methodology, outcomes, and budget. Grants are awarded to an individual.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must be registered in a MSc or PhD
Applicants have not been a previous recipient of a Luc Ector Grant.
2. Networking Grant (1 award of £4,000)
This grant is intended to support a group of at least three ECRs. Note that the Networking Grant may include both currently enrolled graduate students and post-graduates, forming a team collaborating toward a common goal. The aim of the grant is to enable the team to address a research question, develop a community of practice, contribute data, code, images, or other resources to a project, bring training to diverse international communities, or other innovative ideas that address a need.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must qualify as ECRs.