Royal Academy of Engineering 2023 Visiting Professor Funding to Enhance Teaching, Learning, Employability, and Skills, UK

This industry-into-UK academia initiative aims to utilise the experience of Visiting Professors (with backgrounds as industrialists, entrepreneurs, consultants or innovators) to enhance teaching and learning as well as the employability and skills of UK engineering degree students whilst strengthening external partnerships with industry.

The Academy is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages nominations and nominees from women and other groups who are currently under-represented in the Visiting Professors Scheme (such as post-92 universities), as well as recognising the full breadth of engineering and its related subjects.

• Table of Content
• About Royal Academy of Engineering
• Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding
• Aim and Benefits of Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding
• Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding Courses
• Requirements for Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Royal Academy of Engineering

Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding

Aim and Benefits of Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding

This scheme is not intended to support research interactions between industry and universities, for which separate schemes exist. The VP Scheme will however embrace taught masters degrees providing these are accredited as contributing to the educational base for CEng professional qualification.

The intention of the VP scheme is for experienced industrial engineers and entrepreneurs to participate for example in curriculum development, face-to-face teaching or mentoring of engineering undergraduates, or the development of innovative approaches to engineering teaching & learning (such as flipped-classroom, problem-based learning and team working) that recognise that engineering education is not simply the accumulation of knowledge, but should identify with the process of engineering through the stages of creativity, design, and innovation. 

This award (which follows successful application by the UK host university) provides the support necessary for the attendance of the Visiting Professor at the host university for at least 12 days a year to a maximum value of £10,000 a year over three years - a maximum of £30,000 in total.

Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding Courses

• Engineering

Requirements for Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding Qualification

• Applications must be made jointly by the relevant UK host university representative with input from the nominated Visiting Professor (VP).
• The VP can only be funded for one post during the three year award.
• Existing VPs (or those who have completed their 3 year tenure) cannot apply for further funding to continue on for a second term.
• The VP cannot apply if they are already working with the university in any capacity. This is about creating new links and work strands.
• The scheme requires that the VP is able to start their activities with the university between September and November 2022. (Note: the Academy will not provide funding to an individual already working at the university).
• The nominated VP must be an experienced industrialist, entrepreneur or consultant working at an appropriate level within an engineering sector. Engineering is defined in its broadest sense, encompassing a range of diverse fields, including computer science, materials and other related subjects.
• Applicants and their nominated VP must demonstrate their commitment to the objectives of the scheme.
• Visiting Professors must be able to commit a minimum of one day a month on average over the duration of the three-year award, spent engaging with the host university (either virtually or otherwise, equivalent to 12 days a year). Dates are fully flexible to best suit the needs of the university academic unit concerned (for example department, school or faculty of engineering).
• The Academy is committed to diversity and inclusion. It particularly encourages nominations from post-92 universities, and for nominees from groups that are currently under-represented in the scheme and across engineering.
• A university submitting more than one application must submit a strong case for a second application to be successful and is encouraged to ensure that at least one of the VP nominations is from an under-represented group in engineering, such as women and BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups).
• Any applications that are incomplete or do not adhere to the guidelines may be rejected.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor Funding

Expert Review: The full application will receive a minimum of two expert reviews from the Visiting Professors Management Group (VPMG). Reviewers will provide comments against each of the five criteria found in the Essential Guidance document:

A) The programme proposal
B) Implementation plan and finance
C) Impact
D) Teaching and learning modes
E) VP profile and supporting statement

Awards meeting: Applications will then be considered by all of VPMG where the final final decision is taken and the awards are made.

Once these awards are approved the Academic Champion (Lead applicant) is notified of the outcome.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. The University lead must start the process.
2. Register and create a profile via the grant system
3. Read the Essential Applicant Guidance notes above these are necessary to complete your online application.

VP Scheme Essential Guidance Document 2023

For more details visit: Royal Academy of Engineering website.