A person who is in the early stages of a career in research. ECR does not have a strict definition. Often it refers to people who have some experience conducting research but have not led their own research project as the principal investigator (PI), such as PhD/doctoral students, recent postdoctoral graduates, and people who have spent time outside of academia or are transitioning to a new area of research. Funding schemes and programmes specifically to support ECRs often have their own definitions and eligibility criteria. The Mental Health Research Incubator GROW Programme, for example, does not have a strict definition and welcomes applications from anyone who considers themselves an ECR with research experience.
