USF Seminar Series Awards

The USF Seminar Series Awards aim to support the generation of internationally excellent research in all areas of urban studies. In the 2020 round of this funding scheme, the USF seeks to support up to eleven seminar series awards, in each case up to a maximum of £20,000 per award (or £24,000 for proposals containing eligible training elements, see terms below). Applications must be received by 22nd December 2020.

As well as providing extra funds towards training elements for early-career researchers, this year the USF particularly welcomes applications that contain novel and engaging responses to the practical and scholarly challenges posed by COVID-19. Whilst the emphasis must still be on the generation of high-quality urban studies research, the publications and other outputs that this funding seeks to encourage may be wide-ranging in format and focus.

All proposals should be capable of generating scholarly debate and dialogue that is compelling, significant, and contribute to publications and other outputs of world class standard. The USF welcomes applications from academics, researchers, and educators working in any country, and expects the proposal to be of international interest in terms of its coverage and scope. Proposals that include non-academic actors in the programme or associated events are also welcome.

The USF will make up to £4,000 additional funding available to seminar series proposals that incorporate a training element for early career researchers (defined as doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, and research/teaching associates or lecturers within five years of their PhD). Applicants that wish to be considered for this additional funding should indicate what specific training need(s) they will address, the activities they will incorporate to meet the need(s), and how the funds will be used (see below for terms). The USF encourages proposals for novel and engaging training activities.

Provided a suitable and high-quality application is forthcoming, the USF will also reserve one award for a Seminar Series proposal that seeks to honour and engage with the academic work of Professor Ronan Paddison (1945-2019). This additional award will be made in recognition of the contribution that Ronan made to urban studies during his long career in the field. Applicants who wish to apply for the USF Ronan Paddison Seminar Series Award should indicate as such on their application form. Interested parties should consult the award Further Particulars on the USF website for further details.

Applications to the funding must include:

• A completed online application form with applicant and proposal information, made via the USF website.
• Applicant CV(s), maximum two pages each.
• Letter(s) of support from each host institution.
• Budget evidence documentation.
• Any additional supporting documents (if necessary).

All applicants should first consult the Further Particulars documentation for this award before applying. The Further Particulars document contains all terms of eligibility for the award, as well as detailed guidance on completing the application form.

Any questions or clarifications regarding this award should be addressed to USF Director of Operations, Joe Shaw: [email protected]

All awards are fully funded by the Urban Studies Foundation, a Scottish charity founded in 2008 to provide grant funding for innovative research projects that advance the frontiers of urban knowledge. Please follow @USForg on Twitter.