The time-based eligibility cap (a maximum of eight years of post-doctoral research) has been removed from the future Independent research fellowships criteria.
Following consultation with the environmental science community, the eligibility cap (maximum of eight years of post-doctoral research work, or equivalent) has been removed from future Independent research fellowships criteria.
The fellowship is open to anyone not employed on a tenured academic contract.
This change is part of continuous improvement for equality, diversity and inclusion of Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) schemes.
Katie Tearall, NERC Head of Talent and Skills, said:
NERC is committed to creating and sustaining a positive, fair and inclusive environment for our research community. We will strive to make our calls accessible and break down barriers through all funding calls to encourage and support diversity in applications.
This step is a welcome move towards this and we will seek others where we can to improve the funding system going forward.
A new announcement of opportunity for Independent research fellowships, with a focus on improving the clarity of criteria and accessibility of the scheme, will be released shortly.
Top image: Credit: Getty