External opportunities

The Research Futures Academy networks widely with other national organisations and institutions working to foster excellence in research, teaching and knowledge exchange. Many of these run programmes or one-off events which complement RFA's own development programmes. The list below summarises a range of upcoming opportunities offered through our networks:

Conferences and events

Podcast series - 15 minutes to develop your research career

Created with Vitae  this Taylor and Francis series offers practical tips and insights for researchers.

Funding and awards

British Council Funding Opportunities
Various deadlines
British Council Researcher Links gives early career researchers across selected partner countries the opportunity to form international connections through fully funded workshops and travel grants.  This page provides information on the numerous opportunities for travel grants, workshops, and the Newton Fund.
Eligibility: Research staff

Creative Scotland Public Engagement Funding 
No deadline
This fund supports the arts, screen and creative industries, with projects that help them explore, realise and develop their creative potential, widen access to their work, and enrich Scotland’s reputation as a distinctive creative nation connected to the world. Funding from £1,000 to £100,000. 
Eligibility: Academic Staff, Researchers, Research Students

Royal Society funding opportunities
See website for individual deadlines
The Royal Society manage a number of grant and award schemes, whether you want to commercialise your research, collaborate internationally, collaborate with industry, or apply for a Fellowship. Deadlines occur throughout the year, so keep an eye out!
Eligibility: Open to all, but must submit through JeS.

Professional development

Postgraduate Research Supervisors Network
Online network, occasional events
The Postgraduate Research Supervision Network has been newly created by the UKCGE to bring together Supervisors of any postgraduate research award, or colleagues who supports the supervision journey. If you are interested in being part of the network, you can subscribe to the network at the link above.
Eligibility: Supervisors, research administrators, support staff

Research Data Management: An introductory webinar
Recording available online
This webinar aimed to introduce researchers and others to the concept of research data management (RDM). As well as presenting the benefits of taking an active approach to research data management – including increased speed and ease of access, efficiency (fund once, reuse many times), and improved quality and transparency of research – the webinar advised on strategies for successful RDM, resources to help manage data effectively, choosing where to store and deposit data, the EC H2020 Open Data Pilot and the basics of data management, stewardship and archiving.
Eligibility: Open to all

Media and Communications Training
Courses throughout the year but places fill up fast!
The Science and Technology Facilities Council offers free Media Skills training (next on in October) and Writing about your Research (next on in September) courses for researchers, as part of its Public Engagement programme. STFC offers bursaries to pay the course fees and T&S costs for eligible researchers.
Eligibility: STFC researchers

National Centre for Research Methods 
Throughout the year
The National Centre for Research Methods provides a large collection of podcasts, videos, and events, aiming to enhance your research skills, focussing typically on those relevent to qualitative research, but of use to all researchers. Events take place throughout the UK, throughout the year. Use of the website is free, you can log in using your Heriot-Watt Shibboleth information.
Eligibility: All researchers

Elsevier 'Research Ambassadors' wanted!
Open all year round
Global publisher Elsevier has created 'STM Digest', a collection of layman translations/summaries of original research papers with societal impact or policy focus. These lay summaries have the potential to make research more accessible, improve engagement in science, and benefit wider society. Elsevier are looking for researchers to create these lay summaries. Information on the benefits you'll receive are on the website.
Eligibility: Early Career Researchers from any discipline

Elsevier Publishing Campus - free online training
Open all year round
Are you interested in writing a journal article or submitting a book proposal; learning how to conduct peer review for a high impact journal; understanding research and publishing ethics or writing a successful grant application? The Elsevier Publishing Campus is an online platform offering free lectures,interactive training and professional advice split over six 'Colleges' such as Skills Training, Big Ideas and Career Planning. For each interactive training module or online seminar that you complete, your work will be recognized with an awarded certificate from Elsevier.
Eligibility: All.

Royal Literary Fund Resources
Online advice
The RLF provide writing skills support for both essays and longer dissertation/thesis projects. It’s not a conventional how-to guide, but rather provides a variety of voices.
Eligibility: All.

Key information

Research Futures Academy

Phone
+44 (0)131 451 3789
Email
researchfutures@hw.ac.uk