Climate Fellows Programme

The Earth Institute is delighted to announce a call for expressions of interest for our new UCD Climate Fellows Programme.

The focus of this programme is to support the dissemination of UCD climate research more widely, to elevate Climate Fellows’ research profile, and to create new opportunities for academic and societal impact.

Fellows can be from any discipline who are pursuing research in any field that is broadly climate related. This could be concerned with the science of, or action related to, climate change. For example, the primary research focus may be on addressing a policy or economics question, have a humanities or behavioural emphasis, or be driven to improve our understanding of climate science or an aspect of the impact of climate action at any scale etc.

The programme’s two strands seek to support established and early career researchers:

• Academic staff, up to four fellowship awards, of two years duration
• Early career researchers (PhD and Postdoctoral Research Fellows), up to four fellowship awards, of one year duration

Climate Fellow Supports

• Stipend of €1,000 per annum per awardee to support Climate Fellows’ activities
• Training and expert advice to help support Climate Fellows build relevant engagement skills and impact
• Networking opportunities with other Climate Fellows and Earth Institute partners
• Access to technical, research management and event supports from Earth Institute professional staff
• Profile on dedicated 'UCD Climate Fellows’ website

Anticipated outputs of Fellowship

It is expected that Climate Fellows will participate in a range of engagement activities. This may include some of the following:

• Be profiled on the Climate Fellows website and associated Earth Institute promotional material
• Participate in a public lecture/seminar series
• Support the development and delivery of one policy outreach event/exhibition etc informed by their own research and disciplinary norms
• Participate in one blog/comment/earthtalk interview targeted at non-experts
• Prepare a research informed policy brief for stakeholder dissemination
• Engage with journalist and/or artist in residence to promote societal engagement with their own research
• Undertake joint events with other Climate Fellows

Timeline

• Deadline for applications: 14 June 2024
• Notification of awards: Summer 2024
• Launch of the fellowships: September 2024

Eligibility

• Applicants must be either members of UCD academic staff, postdoctoral Staff or UCD postgraduate research students
• Postdoctoral researchers must have a contract for the full duration of the fellowship. Research postgraduate students must be fully registered for the fellowship period
• Applicants can come from any disciplinary background (AHSS, STEM etc)
• Applicants can be involved in any aspect of climate related research, broadly defined
• If they are not already, awardees shall be willing to become members or associate members of the Earth Institute

Criteria for assessment

The programme will seek a balance amongst the Fellows in terms of experience, disciplinary background, diversity etc.  Proposals will be assessed by an interdisciplinary panel according to the following criteria:

1. Relevance: a research area that is relevant to climate research and related priorities in the coming 1-3 years.
2. Track record: a solid track record in research and engagement, commensurate with the applicant’s level of experience.
3. Impact: excellent potential for societal engagement and a pathway to impact.

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following to earth.institute@ucd.ie by 5pm on 14 June 2024:

• A recent CV
• Outline the relevance of your research area to climate research and potential for engagement and impact (maximum 500 words)
• Statement of motivation (maximum 250 words)

If you have any questions regarding the scheme, please contact earth.institute@ucd.ie.

Terms and conditions

1. Applicants should be either members of UCD academic staff, postdoctoral Staff or UCD postgraduate research students.
2. No supplementary material will be accepted and incomplete applications will not be evaluated by an assessment panel.
3. It must be clear from the application that the objectives of the call have been taken into account.
4. Postdoctoral researchers must have a contract for the full duration of the period during which their award will be spent. Research postgraduate students must be fully registered for the period during which their award will be spent.
5. Postgraduate and postdoctoral applicants must have their application reviewed by their supervisor/PI prior to submission.
6. Funding received under this scheme must be used for the project outlined in the application.
7. The principal applicant cannot transfer an award to any other person.
8. Researchers may not apply under this scheme to reclaim expenses for activities that have already taken place (i.e. before notification of the award).
9. The start date of the project will be automatically activated following the announcement of the awards. The stipend must be spent within the agreed duration of the start date set out in the call or before the award holder’s contract end date, or the expiry date of the student’s registration, whichever is earlier.
10. Successful applicants will be required to submit a project report detailing their outputs and completion of the fellowship. Supervisors / Mentors are responsible for ensuring that reports of postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers under their supervision are completed.
11. Any under-spend must be returned to the Institute within 3 months of the end of the project or immediately on cessation of the project for any reason other than completion.
12. The awardee is responsible for ensuring spending does not exceed the budgetary allocation. Any over-spend will be charged to the relevant School.
13. Successful applicants will be required to provide details of their actual spend compared with their budgeted spend at the end of the award period. Auditable back-up documentation, including invoices, cost allocations, etc. must be maintained by all successful applicants.
14. Requests for the supply of externally sourced goods, services and facilities are subject to the general University procurement procedures.
15. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make themselves aware of the full requirements of the call.