mobile menu decorative search icon decorativeSearch the site

Office for Open Research

Three researchers sat at a table, talking and smiling

Open Research Fellowship Programme

Applications open on Monday, 7 September 2026 and close on Friday, 23 October 2026.

The Office for Open Research champions an open, responsible research culture across the University making knowledge more accessible, transparent and impactful. The Open Research Fellowship Programme gives colleagues dedicated time, funding and support to enhance their career development, develop their Open Research expertise, address an Open Research skills, practice or community need, and contribute to the University’s wider Open Research Programme.

Key information for applicants

  • Applications open: Monday, 7 September 2026.
  • Applications close: Friday, 23 October 2026.
  • Fellowship period: January to October 2027.
  • Support available: 0.2 FTE salary buyout for up to six Fellows.
  • Eligibility: University colleagues in posts up to and including Grade 7.
  • Approval required: Head of School, Service or equivalent approval is required before submission.

Register for Programme information session

An online information session will be held on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 2pm, led by Scott Taylor, Associate Director for the Office for Open Research, and John Hynes, Open Research Librarian and Fellowship Community Manager.

The session will explain the programme, application process and selection criteria, and will include time for prospective Fellows to ask questions about their proposals. A recording will be made available if you are unable to attend. 

Before you apply

Before completing the Expression of Interest Form, please:

  • read this webpage in full, including the information on expected outputs, eligibility, support available and selection criteria;
  • attend the online information session on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 2pm, if you are able to do so;
  • consider the Open Research skills, practice or community need your proposed Fellowship activity will address;
  • prepare a clear summary of what you intend to do, who will benefit, and what outputs you expect to develop;
  • discuss your application with your Head of School, Service or equivalent.

How do I apply?

Applications should be submitted through the Expression of Interest Form.

Applications close on Friday, 23 October 2026.

About the Fellowship

Fellows use their domain expertise to develop outputs that are high-quality, relevant, accessible and reusable. These may include training or learning resources, toolkits or guidance, accessible online materials, live activities, or community and infrastructure activity that supports skills development and the wider Open Research offer. Activities do not need to be substantial e-learning packages; we welcome a mix of formats, but outputs need to be clearly connected to the need your activity will address.

What your proposal should include

Your Fellowship proposal is a key part of the application and should clearly explain:

  • the Open Research skills, practice or community need that has emerged within your research, teaching, professional practice or disciplinary experience; 
  • the nature and scope of your proposed Fellowship activity; 
  • how your activity connects with your domain expertise and the needs of its intended audience or community; 
  • the outputs you will develop and how they will support Open Research skills development or the wider Open Research Programme; 
  • how you will advocate for Open Research and build awareness within your discipline or department.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcomed from colleagues across the University, including academic, professional and technical services staff and early career researchers. We particularly welcome proposals that reflect diverse disciplinary and professional perspectives on Open Research.

To be eligible for the Fellowship, colleagues must:

  • Hold a University of Manchester employment contract that continues until at least 31 October 2027. This is required because the Fellowship involves buying out up to 0.2 FTE of each Fellow’s time for the full Fellowship period.
  • Work at a grade up to and including Grade 7.
  • Seek approval from their Head of School, Service or equivalent before submission. This helps ensure the Fellowship is integrated with your existing role and commitments.

Fellowship benefits and support

  • Dedicated time: 0.2 FTE salary buyout for ten months, from January to October 2027, giving Fellows protected time to develop and deliver their Fellowship activity.
  • Development fund: access to a fund to support the quality, delivery, accessibility, reach or reuse of Fellowship outputs. The development fund is subject to approval and programme guidance. Applicants will be asked to provide indicative costs and a short rationale in the Expression of Interest Form. Potential uses may include dissemination activity, events or workshops, facilitation, public contributor costs, or specialist support to develop training or online content. Inclusion in an application does not constitute approval of expenditure.
  • Support and guidance: advice from the Office for Open Research and relevant Library colleagues, which may include learning design, accessibility, digital or e-learning approaches, evaluation, community engagement and communications, depending on the activity and support available.
  • Professional development: opportunities to build skills in Open Research practice, resource development, advocacy, community engagement, communication and project delivery. Fellowship activity may provide useful evidence for professional-development portfolios, promotion discussions or relevant recognition applications, such as Advance HE Fellowship. Participation does not guarantee promotion or professional recognition.
  • A supportive Open Research community: Fellows join a community of practice and share learning with colleagues from across disciplines and professional areas.

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed against the Fellowship aims and the information provided in your Expression of Interest Form including:

  • Open Research need: how clearly you identify the Open Research skills, practice or community need your activity will address.
  • Fit and feasibility: how well your experience, expertise, proposed activity, audience, timescale and any indicative development-fund costs align.
  • Outputs: the quality, relevance, accessibility and reusability of your proposed outputs.
  • Contribution and engagement: the potential to support Open Research adoption, advocacy, collaboration and shared learning within your department, discipline or professional community, and the wider University.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview with a panel drawn from the Open Research Strategy Group. All applicants will be informed of the outcome in December 2026.

Find out more