We are pleased to announce that the International Science Partnerships Fund is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It puts research and innovation at the heart of international relationships, supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, tech, and talent. The fund is managed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies, which include: UK Research and Innovation (comprising the 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England), the UK Academies, the British Council, the Met Office, the National Physical Laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Universities UK International.
Associate Professor Dr Firdaus Muhammad Sukki
School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment (SCEBE), Edinburgh Napier University, Merchiston Campus, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5DT, Scotland, United Kingdom
This initiative aims to drive innovations in digital healthcare through cutting-edge technologies, including:
- Developing next-generation tools for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation with a personalized healthcare approach
- Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance healthcare data analysis for more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment strategies
- Improving patient care and remote monitoring via advanced telemedicine and digital health solutions
- Advancing robotic technology in surgical procedures and rehabilitation therapies to improve precision and patient outcomes
- Strengthening data security, privacy, and analysis within digital healthcare systems to ensure safe and efficient patient management
Why should you apply?
ISPF Early Career Fellowships supports fellows conducting research at UK institutions linked to planet, health, tech and talent. The scheme provides:
- Minimum £35,880 per annum bursary, with a minimum duration of 10 months. This would be pro rata for fellowships shorter than 12 months. Where applicable, accompanying child allowance for fellows consistent with UK visa requirements.
- £10,000 per 12 months (pro rata for shorter fellowships) for research-related expenses. This can contribute to consumables, small equipment, travel and subsistence within the UK, publication costs, or other expenses related directly to the research project.
- Other allowable costs within the grant include:
- IELTS exam fee if applicable (for fellows with a valid Test of English).
- Return economy-class travel from home country to the UK
- Visa and insurance / National Health (NHS) surcharge costs)
- Ad hoc costs (heavy baggage, etc.,)
- Childcare and dependent support costs
- Accessibility support
- Subsidised accommodation support
To qualify for the ISPF Early Career Fellowship, you must:
- Be a permanent resident of Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam (Transformative Technologies for Healthcare and Environmental Resilience (TTHER) project)
- Be a permanent resident of Malaysia or Indonesia (Accelerating Transformative Technology for Sustainable Clean Energy Development (ASCEND) project)
- Be an Early Career Researcher [see Footnote]
- Not currently in receipt of financial support or funding towards any other programme in the UK from any other sources.
- Meet the English language requirement of the Edinburgh Napier University
- Have a background or a proven interest in the proposed research area.
- Be willing to demonstrate future contribution to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after completing the fellowship programme.
- Agree to maintain contact with the British Council for purposes of monitoring and evaluation during and after their fellowship.
- Demonstrate a plan and a passion to engage other early career researchers from their home country.
- Employees of the British Council, the UK government or Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish governments are not eligible to apply for this programme.
How to apply
Applications are now open and once completed can be sent to the following email address:
- ISPF.ASCEND@napier.ac.uk for ACEND Project
Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and they may close the recruitment early if suitable candidates are identified.
To complete the application, you will need to provide:
- Background information demonstrating how you meet the eligibility criteria. Please fill out this form.
- A four-page academic CV highlighting your research experience, achievements, and relevant skills.
- A case for support for the fellowship (up to six pages), including:
- A description of your recent work or achievements and any planned research outputs
- Areas of research you are interested in, aligned with the [Project Detail Section]
- A scientific case for the fellowship explaining your research objectives
- Specific training or research techniques/methods you aim to develop during the fellowship
- An explanation of how this placement would help you contribute to capacity-building and socio-economic advancement in Indonesia, Malaysia or Thailand or Vietnam
- A plan, and evidence of your passion, for engaging other early career researchers from Indonesia, Malaysia or Thailand or Vietnam.
- Your motivation for applying and how this fellowship fits into your future career advancement.
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably including one from your PhD supervisor or advisor, addressing your skills, achievements, and suitability for the placement.