CSC Research Impact Awards

The CSC Research Impact Awards (RIA) celebrate the research and publication endeavours of Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni at the early and mid-career researcher stages. The annual awards are offered through two streams and promote the important research undertaken by doctoral Commonwealth Scholars and Alumni and its value to international development.

One winner will be awarded per stream. In addition, there is an annual topical award available to all entrants. The annual topical award for 2023 is open to research which addresses the Earth Day 2023 theme, Invest in our Planet: act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably).

The awards are open to entries from all disciplines. 

CSC Research Output award stream

Eligibility

To enter the 2023 RIA Research Output award stream, you must be currently studying for a CSC funded PhD or have completed your CSC funded PhD within five years of the awards opening (i.e. submitted your thesis from 1 June 2018 onwards).

Your article must be:

• An original research paper published, or accepted for publication, in a recognised peer-reviewed journal of international or regional acclaim

• Sole- or first authored by you. Where author contributions are equal, please indicate this in your application.

• A research paper published within one year of the prize opening (i.e. since June 2022)

• Accepted for publication after your thesis submission date if you have completed your Commonwealth Scholarship

• Entered for the awards for the first time. If you have entered the Research Impact Awards in previous years, you may enter again this year, but you must submit a different article.

How to apply

To enter, you must complete the application form and upload a pre-publication final copy of your article in PDF format (including proof of acceptance if not yet published) as part of your application.

You can view a PDF copy of the application form to prepare your answers before applying.

Entries submitted without this documentation will not be considered.

The deadline for entries is 23:59 (BST) on Sunday 30 July 2023.

The Taylor & Francis CSC Research Implementation and Uptake award stream 

Eligibility

To enter the 2023 Taylor & Francis CSC Research Implementation and Uptake award stream, you must have completed your CSC funded PhD 6-10 years prior to the awards opening (i.e. submitted your thesis between 1 June 2013 and 1 June 2018).

Your article must be:

• An original research paper published, or accepted for publication, in a recognised peer-reviewed journal of international or regional acclaim

• Sole- or first authored by you. Where author contributions are equal, please indicate this in your application.

• Published within the last 5 years of the awards opening (i.e. since June 2017)

• Entered for the awards for the first time. If you have entered the Research Impact Awards in previous years, you may enter again this year, but you must submit a different article

How to apply

To enter, you must complete the application form and upload a pre-publication final copy of your article in PDF format (including proof of acceptance if not yet published) as part of your application.

Entries submitted without this documentation will not be considered.

The deadline for entries is 23:59 (BST) on Sunday 30 July 2023.

Terms and conditions for all entrants

Failure to comply with the terms as set out and to provide all information as requested may prevent your entry from being judged in the competition.

The awards will be judged by a panel of experts and advisers appointed by the CSC.

The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Should no entries be deemed suitable, the award(s) will not be given.

All entrants with relevant research publications will be considered for the annual topical prize.

The award winner(s), and highly commended entrants should be willing to provide a photograph of themselves and to participate in relevant promotional coverage and opportunities which may be undertaken by the CSC and the Taylor & Francis Group.

The award winner(s) should be willing to take part in and/or deliver a webinar on their research as part of the CSC’s Development in Action webinar series. Full details will be provided to winner(s). The webinar(s) for the stream and topical winner(s) are currently scheduled for January and February 2024.

The award winner(s) for the Research Output award stream and topical prize will be awarded a conference grant to attend and participate in an academic conference or research event they would otherwise not be able to attend. To receive the grant, winner(s) must submit a grant application. The grant funds must be used by 31 March 2024. Grant funds not used by this date will be forfeited.

The CSC will use award entries as part of its Evaluation and Monitoring programme, and all entrants should be willing to allow the CSC to include material in reports and on its website.

If you have any questions, please email alumni@cscuk.org.uk