BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The overall aim of our project was to facilitate collaborations and networking opportunities for Early Career Researcher (ECRs) in the field of mental health, while simultaneously aiding participants’ capacity building. Specifically, our project aimed to support ECRs with the development of funding applications by highlighting key funders, explaining funding processes, and sharing insights on successes and setbacks.

A secondary aim of our project was to provide an opportunity for ECRs with an interest in eating disorder research to connect and share experiences. As an under-researched area within the field of mental health, we wanted to create a space to support researchers in this field, especially those ECRs who are currently not part of an established research group.

Organised an Eating Disorder (ED) ECR Network event on the 8th of May 2025 in Edinburgh. This event was open to all ECRs in the field of mental health with an interest in ED research.

Collaborated with a group of ECRs from Leicester, Leeds, and London, on the day, to organise an interactive workshop on ECR funding experiences. As part of this workshop, three ECRs shared their experiences on applying for a fellowship with key funders (MQ Mental Health, NIHR Postdoctoral Award, Wellcome Trust). Presenters talked about the processes involved in completing the funding application, their timelines, and their lessons learned. Within a subsequent discussion, attendees were able to ask any questions they might have and share their own experiences around funding journeys.

Facilitated discussions around perceived challenges/barriers, helpful resources/support mechanisms, and the potential for change when it comes to funding applications, were held.

To maximise the benefits of the event, we also invited ECRs to join a subsequent workshop on best practice co-production approaches. This event was led by a recently established peer researcher network, a UK-wide network of people with lived/living experiences of EDs who are active members in research teams. This workshop included interactive activities to discuss how researchers and peer researchers can ethically and effectively work together to ensure meaningful research outcomes.

The MHR Incubator Seed Fund has allowed us to invite ECRs from across the UK to join our networking event. Being able to meet up in person is incredibly valuable to foster connections and build future collaborations for ECRs, especially for those currently isolated in their research institutions.

Having smaller grants available to foster community support is especially important in times where universities face financial insecurity. Many ECRs do not have the financial support from their research institutions to attend events that require travel, so our participants were very grateful for this opportunity to share experiences and foster positive relationships. For accessibility, it was also great that we could book tickets directly through the grant, as some ECRs struggle to pay for their tickets in advance.