Applications for BACD-Castang Fellowship 2027 (Round Five) now open
BACD is pleased to call for applications to Round 5 of the BACD-Castang Fellowship Programme for 2027.
Fellowships are available to UK-based candidates from a relevant professional discipline (i.e. within neurodisability-related health care, education, social care, or research).
The Fellowship programme includes:
- Individual mentoring from a member or collaborator of the BACD SRG
- Interactive learning workshops about key childhood neurodisability research topics, methodologies, and funding streams
- An intensive grant sprint experience, where candidates iteratively present and develop their grant applications with support from expert clinicians, practitioners, methodologists, and BACD-Castang Fellowship peers
- Multidisciplinary networking with experienced childhood neurodisability researchers and collaboration with BACD-Castang Fellowship peers.
- National opportunities to disseminate Fellowship outputs and raise their professional profile within the childhood neurodisability research community.
Fellowships include financial support up to the value of £1,000 for each successful candidate to cover:
- standard class travel to Sheffield on 9th March 2027 and return on 11th March 2027 (to be booked in advance by the BACD office)
- B&B accommodation at the Royal Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel on 9th & 10th March 2027
- lunch and dinner on 9th and 10th March (conference gala dinner on 10th March)
- registration to the BACD Annual Scientific Meeting on 11 March 2027
- Castang Foundation funding will be held and administered by BACD. Unused funds will be retained by BACD.
Castang Foundation funding will be held and administered by BACD. Unused funds will be retained by BACD.
Over the course of the Fellowship, successful candidates will:
- Generate specific, agreed outputs that advance their own childhood neurodisability research programme, BACD strategic research priorities, and nationally agreed research priorities within the childhood neurodisability community
- Develop their skills in leading childhood neurodisability research
- Develop their identity, confidence, and national and international profile as a childhood neurodisability research leader
- Develop their knowledge of research funders’ priorities and expectations
Eligibility
- The Fellowship is open to all multi-disciplinary candidates based in the UK
- You must be available to attend the in-person Fellowship event which will takes place Tuesday 9th-Thursday 11th March 2027 inclusive in Sheffield. There is no option to attend virtually. Please do not apply if you are not able to attend these dates in person.
Key Dates
| Submission Deadline | 5pm, 12th November 2026 |
| Decision and feedback sent to applicants | By 20th November 2026 |
| Five online workshops | Week beginning 11th January 2027 Week beginning 1st February 2027 Remaining dates June, Sept, Dec tbc |
| In-Person Fellowship event in Sheffield | Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, and Thursday 11th March 2027 |
To Apply you must submit the following to Kelly Robinson by 5pm, 12 November 2026:
- Application form (see below)
- Short CV
- Covering Letter
- Reference
For full guidance on the Fellowship Round 5 and for the application form see below
Fellowship Round 5 Guidance
Fellowship Round 5 Application Form
