Create and Lead Your Own Energy or Net-Zero Event!

Are you a doctoral or post-doctoral researcher passionate about energy or net-zero topics? Do you want to gain valuable experience in event management, leadership, and researcher development? The ERA Community Fund is offering up to £2,500 to help you design, develop, and deliver your own energy and/or net-zero-focused event!

What’s on Offer?

• Up to £2,500 in funding to support your event.
• A comprehensive support package from the ERA team, including training and mentoring, to ensure your event is a success.
• The chance to create an event that engages and benefits researchers across the ERA partnership, with a focus on doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.

Why Apply?

• Develop leadership and organisational skills by running your own event.
• Gain practical experience in project management and public engagement.
• Build professional networks with researchers across the ERA partnership.
• Strengthen your CV by demonstrating your ability to lead impactful initiatives in the energy or net-zero field.

Key Requirements

• The event must focus on energy or net-zero.
• The event must be open to ERA Skills researchers from across all eight ERA partners (though it’s not expected to attract participants from all).
• While the event can include participants from outside the ERA partnership, you must clearly explain the rationale for this in your application.
• The opportunity is open to doctoral and post-doctoral researchers from across the ERA partnership.

How to Apply

1. Contact the ERA Skills Manager:
   We strongly encourage prospective applicants to reach out to the ERA Skills Manager Lennie Foster (L.A.Foster@lboro.ac.uk), to discuss their application before proceeding.
2. Create a Draft Proposal:
   After your discussion, use the Community Fund Application Guidance 2024/25 to create a draft proposal.
3. Review Your Proposal:
   Have your proposal reviewed by your supervisor, line manager, or another supporting staff member. You may also seek feedback from the ERA Skills Manager.
4. Complete the Online Form:
   Submit the completed online Application Form by Monday, 25 November 2024.

How We Will Assess Your Application

Applications will be assessed based on the applicant’s commitment to researcher development in areas relevant to energy or net-zero. The specific criteria are as follows:

1. Clear Development Goals
   You must clearly explain how receiving the award will support your own professional and researcher development. The application should show how the event will benefit your growth as a leader in the energy or net-zero field.
2. Quality and Relevance of Training
   The application will be evaluated on the quality and relevance of the training and skills development opportunities the event will provide to doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. The event should offer meaningful learning experiences aligned with energy or net-zero themes.
3. Proposed Impact and Outcomes
   The expected impact of your event should be outlined, including key outcomes for participants and the wider research community. The event should demonstrate clear purpose and the potential to contribute positively to researcher development.
4. Support from Host Organisation
   The level of support from your host organisation will also be considered, including any resources, mentorship, or guidance they will provide to help ensure the event’s success.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Successful applicants will need to create an equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) plan. These plans will not be evaluated during the application process. To ease the proposal development and assessment, the ERA team will collaborate with successful applicants to develop these plans after the award is granted. If relevant, you may include costs for implementing these plans in your application.

Ready to Lead Your Own Event?

This is a unique opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a real impact in the energy and net-zero field. If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge, apply today!