The Independent Social Research Foundation wishes to support Independent Scholars to explore and present original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems.
An ‘Independent Scholar’ is understood by the ISRF as someone pursuing research outside of an academic role, whether or not currently in employment, who is engaged in intellectual work of a nature and standard comparable to that of a professional academic scholar.
Eligible Applicants
Independent Scholars from within Europe[1] are eligible to apply, and they will not hold an appointment – full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent – at an institution of higher education and research.
This category of Fellowship is intended for scholars who have not pursued - or have been obstructed from pursuing - a traditional academic career path.
An ‘Independent Scholar’ is understood as someone, whether or not currently in employment, who is engaged in intellectual work outside of academic employment of a nature and standard comparable to that of a professional academic scholar.
For the avoidance of doubt: newly qualified post-doctoral scholars, as-yet unemployed in academia, are not considered Independent Scholars for the purpose of this competition; nor are scholars who are actively seeking further academic employment; nor retired scholars whose careers were spent working within academia.[2]
PLEASE NOTE: All applicants will be asked to describe their independent scholar status as part of the application form.
Applicants will usually hold a PhD but other equivalent academic or professional qualifications may be considered. Evidence of scholarly achievement at a sufficiently high level can include publications in academic journals, edited collections and monographs, as well as pieces for professional journals and the popular media.
Independent Scholars intending to pursue or complete a piece of independent research and desiring an affiliation to an institution of higher education and research within Europe are eligible to apply - arrangements for such affiliation need not be in place at the time of application, but applicants are asked to nominate a potential host institution if possible.
Applicants may be in professional (non-academic) employment, including in the arts, full- or part-time, or in an unpaid occupation.
The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants support for academic research and relief from non-academic work (including domestic care) for a period of up to one year.
[1] There is no limitation on nationality – however, the proposed institutional affiliation must be with a European institution.
[2] Other categories of award, namely First Book Fellowships, Early Career Fellowships and Mid-Career Fellowships are available for applicants who are - or have been until recently - working within an academic setting.
Eligible Research
Innovative research which breaks with existing explanatory frameworks so as to address afresh empirical problems with no currently adequate theory or investigative methodology. Innovation may also come from controversial theoretical approaches motivated by critical challenge of incumbent theories. Interdisciplinarity in the generation of new investigative initiatives may be achieved by combining, cross-fertilising, and so transforming empirical methods and theoretical insights from the social sciences. Projects ranging across the breadth of the social scientific disciplines and interdisciplinary research fields are welcome, and relevant applications from scholars working within the humanities are also encouraged.
The research proposed may include, but is not confined to: initiation of a project or of research level work intended to draw on or contribute to one of the professions, completion of a project, or preparation of an article or monograph for publication, based on existing work.
Duration & Timing
The awards are intended as providing a stipend to allow applicants full or partial relief from non-academic duties, for a period of up to one year; alternatively, the award may be sought by those who wish to be bought-out directly from their current (non-academic) employment contract (in whole or partially), with the prior consent of their current employer. The award period should begin no later than the end of December 2026.
Value
The amount of an award will depend on individual circumstances – the ISRF expects applications for grants up to a maximum of €40,500 (or GBP equivalent), of which no more than €33,250 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Up to €7,250 may be requested to cover reasonable research expenses. Reasonable childcare or other domestic costs may be considered.[3]
[3] PLEASE NOTE: Applicants seeking an affiliation in the UK must apply in GBP (£), up to the limit of £35,000, of which no more than £28,750 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. Applicants seeking an affiliation elsewhere in Europe, including non-Eurozone countries, must apply in EUR (€), up to the limit of €40,500, of which no more than €33,250 may be allocated to the cost-of-living stipend. These limits will not be adjusted in the event of GBP/EUR currency fluctuations.