Engage Amazonia Early Career Fellowship

The Engage Amazonia fellowships are aimed at early career researchers from the Legal Amazon/Amazônia legal universities and research centres, who are eager to advance their research capabilities and research leadership skills by having a research experience at the University of Birmingham. ECRs have completed or are close to completion of their PhD and will not have held a permanent academic post or a permanent post with a research-related element.

We welcome applications by researchers a variety of backgrounds, particularly those whose backgrounds are underrepresented in their research field. We encourage applications from researchers who are passionate to engage with other ECRs from Brazil and the Amazon region and who are keen to contribute to future capacity building and socio-economic advancement through the benefits achieved after completing the fellowship.

Applicants must meet the English language requirements for studying and working in the UK. These requirements correspond to a level B1 (minimum) on the CEFR scale or a IELTS score of 4.

The Engage Amazonia are an exciting opportunity aimed at providing ECRs with a foundation to launch their careers and allowing them to develop their international research networks through sustainable collaborations.

BISCA offers an excellent research environment for ECRs passionate about tackling the challenges of climate change, advancing knowledge and translating research into action aimed at improving the health of people, animals and the environment. BISCA has a dedicated leadership strategy aimed at developing the next generation of interdisciplinary climate research leaders. Visiting ECRs will benefit from a dynamic research environment that will help them develop their career.

 Visiting researchers will also benefit from a network of leading research centres and institutes at the University of Birmingham such as the University of Birmingham Brazil Institute, the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research and the Global Health Impact Hub.

The University of Birmingham has strong academic links with Brazil research institutions and a well-established infrastructure through the UBBI aimed at supporting Brazil-engaged academics. Engage Amazonia fellows will be embedded within an extensive Birmingham-Brazil community of research interests

Finally, the fellowship offers:

• £30,000 per annum bursary (pro rata for fellowships shorter than 12 months)

• £10,000 per annum (pro rata for shorter fellowships) for research related expenses

• Support with travel and relocation costs including:

  • • Visa and National Health surcharge costs
    • IELTS exam costs
    • Return economy-class travel from Brazil to the UK
    • Childcare and dependent support costs
    • Desk space in Elms house, the home of BISCA
    • Access to a computer during the Fellowship
    • Access to research facilities at the University of Birmingham during the Fellowship

The Engage Amazonia fellowships are available for a 6 to 12 months period, with a starting date in the period of September to November 2025.

 Application Form 

 Please note that, for an application to be considered, you will need a statement of support from a hosting researcher at the University of Birmingham. The BISCA team is happy to support linking applicants with potential hosts.

There will be a webinar to support prospective applicants on the 31 March 2025. 

Registration Form for webinar

Application deadline: 15 May 2025.

Interviews will take place, online, on: 3 June 2025.

Results to be announced by the 30 July 2025.

The University of Birmingham Brazil Institute marks the University’s commitment to Brazil. It aims to enhance the University’s long-standing engagement with Brazil and help to strengthen Brazil-UK cooperation in research, education and public engagement.

At BISCA, we bring together researchers from across the University with expertise in sustainability and climate action. This University wide research community forms a dedicated network of Affiliates that connect to deliver on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research challenges with impact.