Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. We play a major role in the drive for high-level skills and innovation and in the UK's goal to produce world class researchers. Vitae innovate will include a range of activities to promote innovative approaches and projects in the field of the personal, professional and career development of researchers. It includes a new funding stream to support innovative projects. In this, the first round, funding of up to a total of £100,000 will be allocated.

Our vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers. To achieve our vision we have four main aims: 1. Championing the development and implementation of effective policy, 2. Enhancing higher education provision through sharing practice and resources, 3. Providing access to development opportunities and resources, 4. Building an evidence base to support the researcher development agenda.

This fund recognises an opportunity to build on the excellent work undertaken to date, especially in response to the Roberts review of 2002 and the 2007 Concordat to support the career development of researchers. It aims to encourage the introduction of innovative approaches or projects into the researcher development field. The deadline for bids to the first round of funding is 31 July 2009; further details can be found at the website below.

Further details