Skills Exchange Scheme 2026
Applications for the 2026 Early Career Skills Exchange Scheme are currently open!
The Skills Exchange Scheme will fund you to complete a placement at a different institution than the one you’re currently affiliated with. This may be a university or a non-academic organisation. The aim is to give Early Career members an opportunity to gain new skills, experience, and contacts.
The AWRN will fund a minimum of two Skills Exchanges this year, with up to £2,000 per placement. Skills Exchange placements should have a clear and achievable aim/s (e.g., learning a new lab technique or starting a new collaboration).
We’re primarily looking to fund expenses that will facilitate the placement(e.g., travel, accommodation, cover for caring responsibilities), rather than research costs. Placements don’t need to be in a different town or city to your current institution, and they don’t need to be continuous – they can be done in shorter timeframes (e.g., one day a week over an extended period). The host institution may be outside of the UK, but there should still be a benefit to UK animal welfare.
To apply, you must be in your Early Career, and you must have been an AWRN Member for at least six months at the time of the deadline (i.e., since September 2025). International EC members can apply, however the host institution must be within the UK.
More information on the scheme, eligibility, and application process can be found in the guidelines here: LINK TO GUIDELINES. Make sure you read these before starting your application.
Applications must be submitted to Poppy Statham (awrn-manager@bristol.ac.uk), using the application form here: LINK TO APPLICATION , by midnight on Friday 27th March 2026. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation for the exchange, one from the hosting PI / line manager and one from their current PI / line manager.
If you have any questions about the scheme or application process, please email Urja Thakrar (EC rep; uthakrar22@rvc.ac.uk) or Poppy Statham (Network Manager; awrn-manager@bristol.ac.uk), and we’d be more than happy to help.
We look forward to receiving your applications!
All the best,
Urja and Kate (Early Career Representatives)
