Our work to support early career researchers is part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) efforts to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system that:
- connects discovery to prosperity and public good
- supports people and teams involved in it across career stages
Our vision of early career development in the arts and humanities is one of partnership between:
- early career researchers
- academics
- research organisations
- partner organisations
- career advisors and mentors
How AHRC supports early career researchers
Watch our video for a more detailed look at how the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) supports early career researchers and how others have negotiated the funding process.
To make sure you understand your entitlements you should familiarise yourself with the relevant policies of your organisation.
How we define an early career researchers
When we provide information to help the development of early career researchers, we are speaking to anyone who defines their role as that of an early career researcher.
We do not consider years post-PhD or job title to be a sole marker of career progression. Therefore, we use the narrative CV (‘Resume for Research and Innovation’) in our funding opportunities to enable applicants to describe their careers and experience.
Some AHRC funding opportunities may include specific eligibility requirements, in addition to self-identification as an early career researcher.
Focus on good practice
There are examples of researcher development good practice available in the community. Colleagues across the sector have already put a lot of hard work into this area, for which we are grateful. UKRI colleagues are in the process of preparing a good practice exchange.
Early career researcher development is continuously changing, of great value, and with no end date, as the pipeline continues to grow and the arts and humanities evolve.
We encourage everyone involved to look beyond the immediate needs of a research project to consider what other development opportunities are available for early career researchers.
We recognise that the period following completion of a PhD can be a very challenging time as early career researchers look to explore different career options.
Training and development of early career researchers guidance
To help support early career researchers and those involved with their development we’ve published the AHRC guidance on training and developing early career researchers in the arts and humanities.
The aim of this document is to offer guidance that all arts and humanities early career researchers and those who support them might use. It advises on the types of skills early career researchers on AHRC grants should be developing, and how research organisations and managers of researchers can support them.
Our intent in publishing this guidance is that it:
- becomes a catalyst for conversations
- contributes to building a supportive research culture
We invite you to share your thoughts on this guidance with us to improve future versions. You can do this by emailing us at researcher.development@ahrc.ukri.org
Routes available to early career researchers
A doctorate in the arts and humanities equips you with a set of sought-after transferable skills, opening the possibility of careers in a wide and diverse range of sectors. Read our guidance on training and developing early career researchers in the arts and humanities to help you identify these skills.
We offer grant schemes to support research projects and career development at an early stage. Browse our funding opportunities to find out what is available to you.
Many early career researchers want to pursue an academic career and will look to colleagues and peers for advice on applying for academic posts. Equally, we recognise and welcome the movement of researchers into other areas.
We encourage you to keep in mind a broad range of career possibilities, considering how highly competitive academic employment is. PhD graduates in the arts and humanities have skills that can make a significant contribution to many different areas of the economy and society.
You can read more about the employability of arts and humanities graduates in the ‘Qualified for the Future’ report (The British Academy) to which AHRC contributed.
Peer Review College membership for early career researchers
AHRC Peer Review College membership reflects the range of disciplines and subjects within our subject domain. By joining us as an early career researcher, you’ll take on a fundamental role in the peer review process, ensuring that the highest quality research proposals receive funding in accordance with robust and transparent decision-making.
The college runs periodic recruitment exercises and accepts applications from early career researchers who can demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria for membership. Recruitment exercises will be advertised on our website when they are live.
Feedback from current college members points towards a positive relationship between participation in peer review activities and successfully obtaining grant funding. Seeing how other researchers construct proposals is a great learning opportunity.
College members also have opportunities to take part in wider activities, such as training new peer reviewers, helping to develop new policies or processes and sharing strategic insights with AHRC.
AHRC’s objective is to further diversify our membership and embed a variety of voices in our decision-making processes. See diversity data for AHRC Peer Review College.
See AHRC’s peer review resources for more information.
Last updated: 7 April 2026