About the Organization
Software is fundamental to research: 7 out of 10 researchers report their work would be impossible without it. From short, thrown-together temporary scripts to solving a specific problem, through an abundance of complex spreadsheets analysing collected data, to the hundreds of software engineers and millions of lines of code behind international efforts such as the Large Hadron Collider and the Square Kilometre Array, there are few areas of research where software does not have a fundamental role.Since 2010, the Software Sustainability Institute has facilitated the advancement of software in research by cultivating better, more sustainable, research software to enable world-class research (“Better software, better research”). In 2018, we were awarded funding from all seven research councils. Our mission is to become the world-leading hub for research software practice.The Institute is based at the Universities of Edinburgh, Manchester, Oxford and Southampton, and draws on a team of experts with a breadth of experience in software development, project and programme management, research facilitation, publicity and community engagement.
About the Fellowship
The Institute’s Fellowship Programme provides funding for individuals who want to improve how research software is done in their domains, fields and/or areas of work. Being a Fellow also helps individuals develop skills and knowledge in their area of software sustainability, empowers them to speak about software sustainability issues and network with like-minded individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Successful applicants will be allocated £3,000 to spend over 15 months beginning 1 January 2023. The funding is flexible to support activities that are beneficial to both the Fellow and the Institute. For example, the funding can be used to:
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Organise and run workshops.
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Facilitate software sustainability sessions at conferences.
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Nurture or contribute to communities of practice.
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Attend conferences and events.
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Collaborate with other Fellows.
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Run or participate in policy-related activities.
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Host, organise or teach at training events, such as through The Carpentries.
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Run or attend other events that improve the research software space.
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As part of the Fellowship Programme 2023, we will offer up to three places for successful international applicants (who will be based outside the UK or without a formal affiliation with a UK-based institution or office). This is a continuation of the pilot from 2022 to help us identify and address challenges for opening and scaling up the Programme internationally in the future.
Eligibility
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You are based in the UK or have a formal affiliation with a UK-based institution or office; or are based outside the UK and are applying to our International Fellowship pilot.
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Your plans are primarily focused on improving UK capability (since the Institute is a UK-funded organisation) and potentially include promoting a UK-based approach abroad.
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You are
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a researcher who uses and/or develops software/digital tools, or
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a developer who writes tools for researchers, or
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a research software engineer (RSE) who supports the work of researchers with software, or
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an advocate for best practice in software use or development in research, or
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in a leadership role in research projects or organisations that make heavy use of software, or
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a user of research software, or
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passionate about software in research in any way
Important Dates
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Monday, 15 August 2022 - Fellowship Programme 2023 applications open
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Thursday, 25 August 2022 - Fellowship Programme 2023 Launch Webinar from 11:00-12:00 BST
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Monday, 3 October 2022 - Applications close at 23:59 BST
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Tuesday, 1 November 2022 - Shortlist confirmed
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Thursday, 17 November 2022 - Online Selection Day (shortlisted candidates should be available from 10:30 to 16:00 GMT)
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Monday, 28 November 2022 - Offers of Fellowships to successful candidates
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Thursday, 15 December 2022 - Official announcement of 2023 Fellows
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January 2023 - Official start of 2023 Fellowships
For further details click here
