ECR Fellowships Expression of Interest
Mental Health platform
What is the Expression of Interest?
The Expression of Interest (EoI) aims to support potential applicants by facilitating early engagement with the UKRI Mental Health Platform (MHP) and its Hubs.
It is mandatory for all candidates interested in submitting an MHP ECR fellowship application in Round 2 to submit an EoI.
It is the only way to contact the Hubs to discuss your project idea.
Submitting an EoI will allow for preliminary dialogue, guidance, and potential networking opportunities ahead of the formal application process.
The EoI is intended to encourage thoughtful preparation and maximise the potential for successful and well-aligned future applications. It does not commit you to submitting an application.
Plan your application
- More information about the Mental Health Platform aims
- More information about the Hubs
- Project ideas to inspire your applications can be found on our ECR Fellowships page
Read more about the Hubs goals
Key Dates
EoI submission deadline:
- 30th July 2025, 4pm
Candidates contacted by:
- 15th August 2025
Full ECR fellowship application deadline:
- 28th September 2025, 4pm
How do I Submit an Expression of Interest?
Send the following two documents to [email protected] with the subject line "EoI submission + your firstname&surname"
EoI submission deadline: 30th July 2025, 5pm
-
EoI application form (download below) providing information on the following:
- Your project research focus and alignment with MHP aims
- Hubs you wish to work with and rationale
- Proposed host institution
- Planned start date and fellowship duration
- Career goals and independence plans
- How you will leverage the data generated by the Hubs you want to involve in your project
- How you will contribute to and benefit from MHP
- Consent for data sharing with Hubs
- CV (2 pages maximum), including key publications, grants, and collaborations.
We particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and those seeking to build new collaborations across disciplines and institutions.
EoI application form
Check you're eligible before submitting
You must:
- Have a PhD or equivalent but not yet have made the transition to independence (see UKRI guidance)
- Not have a permanent contract at their host institution
- Not have held a previous independent fellowship lasting more than 3 years
- Currently employed (or agree to be employed in the future) at a UK Research institution
- Planned host institution must be associated with the MHP
- Planned primary supervisor must be based at the same host institution
- Be committed to joining at least two of the MHP Hubs as part of this award
- Be committed to spend the majority of their time working on their ECR project
Read more about MHP ECR Fellowships
What happens next?
MHP will review your EoI to ensure you meet ECR eligibility and alignment with MHP goals. If you do not fit the eligibility criteria, we will respond to your email letting you know why.
If you fit the eligibility criteria, the MHP Coordinating Team will share your EOI with the Hubs you propose to work with. The Hubs will assess your proposal and CV against their strategic aims.
If Hubs are interested, you will be contacted by 15th August to arrange a meeting.
If invited, you’ll meet with Hub leads, potential supervisors, and collaborators to discuss:
- Project alignment with the Hubs and feasibility
- Supervision and host institution
- PPIE plans
- Timeline, budget, and your time commitment
- Hub feedback and next steps
Hubs are not obliged to progress with any proposed applications.
Following this meeting, and if all Hubs and their members agree to progress, you will need to start working on your application.
Once the draft is created, you will be required to share it with your co-supervisors and Hub leads to receive a short letter of support to include in your final application. The final ECR fellowship application must be submitted to the MHP by 28th September 2025.
Full ECR fellowship application deadline: 28th September 2025
Any questions which can't be answered from our ECR Fellowship page or in our ECR Fellowship Webinar, please get in touch: [email protected]