UUCN – COP28 Network Scholarships

*******************Deadline Passed*******************

The UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN) is coordinating travel scholarships for early career researchers to contribute to research meetings alongside COP28; on behalf of the UK Government & Research England partners, including C-DICE.

As we head towards COP28 UAE in Dubai, the UK Universities Climate Network (UUCN) is delighted through the support of partners to be able to offer opportunities for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to participate in COP28.

Supporting the next generation of climate leaders

Postdoctoral researchers are the ‘power-house’ of research delivery working across all sectors of industry, NGOs, and governments whilst connected to academics across the world. These staff are the intellectual powerhouse and future leaders. 

Creating an opportunity for a delegation to meet COP28 leaders and representatives from across the world as part of a series of structured events will be transformational. Coordinating this opportunity through the international network established by UUCN allows us to introduce a UK ECR delegation of these future leaders to influential representatives at COP28.

C-DICE is delighted to support the UUCN-coordinated COP Network Scholarships.

This scholarship opportunity is available to ECRs who want to:

• Gain an understanding of the COP process
• Discuss climate change-related research with other ECRs from around the world
  • Meet other researchers with complementary research and/or interests
  • Broaden their knowledge and understanding of climate change-related research outside their own research area
• Establish and develop ideas to reduce climate change and its impacts
• Form ongoing networks
• Develop research outputs from collaboration including:
  • Papers
  • Proposals and/or projects
  • Communications and blogs

There are a limited number of UUCN-coordinated COP Network Scholarships available. To be considered for one of these scholarships, please apply before the deadline.

Deadline: 20 September 2023, 23:59 hours

What does the COP Network Scholarship offer?

COP is a unique opportunity for UK ECRs to make connections, meet other researchers and contribute to research discussions through initial introductions in the UAE and then internationally online. 

UUCN will be coordinating two one-week delegations of UK ECRs

• Week one: 3 – 7 December 2023
• Week two: 7 – 10 December 2023

A programme of activity will be aligned to the thematic days of COP28. You can find out more about the thematic days at COP28 on the website.

At least 12 UUCN-coordinated COP Network Scholarships will be offered. Each scholarship is made up of two elements:

Part one: Delegation events

Successful ECRs will undertake a programme of delegation events coordinated by UUCN at COP28. This programme will enhance their work programmes, help them understand the wider context of climate change, and establish an understanding of their future roles as research and organisational leaders.

Part two: Financial assistance

Financial awards of at least £3,000 per ECR to directly fund flight and accommodation costs, internal travel, and subsistence.

Eligibility criteria

1. You must be an Early Career Researcher. For the purposes of the UUNC coordinated COP Networking Scholarship an Early Career Researcher is defined as, “Those with a doctorate who had their doctoral viva not more than 5 years prior to the application closing date; or a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD.”
2. Your research must align with one or more of the COP28 themes as described in the COP28 thematic program.
3. Your institution must support your application as demonstrated by a letter of support covering all the elements described in the How to apply section.
4. You must commit to working with UUCN and the host institutions to showcase your COP28 experience, the development of your research, and your professional development as a result of COP and/or the COP Network Scholarship. This could include writing blog posts or articles, sharing photos on social media, or self-filming content.

How to apply

To apply, click on the apply button below, which will take you to the application portal. The deadline to apply and submit supporting documents is Wednesday 20 September 2023 at 23:59.

To apply you will need to answer the following three questions (max 200 words each):

1. Why would you like to go to COP28? 
2. How will attending COP28 contribute to your work in regard to climate reduction and climate impact? 
3. How do you intend to use the opportunity to develop your research and career?

To complete the application process you will also need to submit the following documentation:

1. One page CV, to include:
   • Personal statement (60 words max)
   • Education and qualifications (post-18), incl. PhD title and pass date
   • Employment, current and previous employment covering the last eight years
   • Job role and research focus
2. Letter of support from your institution on letterheaded paper, confirming:
   • Their support for your application and the time commitment to prepare for and attend the event.
   • Confirmation that your research aligns with one or more of the COP28 themes. 
   • Confirmation that you and your institution recognise the UUCN-coordinated COP Network Scholarship is for personal travel and subsistence costs, that other costs may be incurred and that these will be the responsibility of the institution and ECR as agreed within the institution.
   • Confirmation that insurance cover for the trip will be covered by your institution. 
   • Acknowledgement that this opportunity does not include access to the Blue Zone, if this is required this is the responsibility of the institution and the ECR.

Note: Applications that exceed the CV page count or word count in response to the questions will not be considered for the scholarships.