Early Career Researcher Award
We are delighted that this year an Early Career Researcher (ECR) will be awarded the MCWASP Early Career Researcher award sponsored by The Founders’ Company charity the Robert Warner Trust. This award will be awarded for the best paper with an ECR as first author and presenter. The prize will be an award of £1000 plus a trophy and certificate.
The Worshipful Company of Founders was formed in 1365 as a medieval guild; promoting the interests of its members and ensuring high standards of quality and workmanship in articles of bronze and brass. More than 650 years later they continue to support research and education in related disciplines and industries, and support the City of London.
The very roots of the Founders’ Company are embedded in a real concern for supporting education and research in the material sciences and related fields in engineering, for those who need it most.
The Robert Warner Trust is one of the charities administered by The Founders’ Company, supporting education and research in materials science, engineering, and related disciplines. Its purpose is to assist students and early-career professionals through bursaries, awards, and opportunities for engagement with industry, with a particular focus on promoting social mobility and widening participation in these fields.
The Robert Warner Bursary Programme provides financial support of £700 per term to undergraduate students studying at the universities of Birmingham, Manchester, and Imperial. The scheme helps to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing degrees in materials science, engineering, or aerospace, enabling talented individuals from all backgrounds to continue their studies and build careers in industry.
In addition to bursaries, the Trust offers the Cranfield Award for the best MSc and PhD papers at Cranfield University, recognising academic excellence, and the Founders’ Industry Contribution Award, which funds attendance at technical conferences to support professional development.
Bursary holders are invited to take part in industry networking lunches, mentoring sessions, and site visits organised by the Founders’ Industry Committee. These activities provide practical insight into developments across manufacturing and engineering, while strengthening links between education, industry, and the Founders’ community.
The primary definition of an ECR being used to decide eligibility for this award is those with less than 5 years from completion of a doctorate or those still completing a doctorate, allowances will be made for any career breaks due to parenthood, caring, or illness. Researchers without a doctorate with less than 10 years of work experience will also be considered eligible.
Please note that to be eligible for this award you must also submit a paper to the proceedings and be both the main presenter and first author. The award will be judged on the quality of the original submitted paper prior to revisions. Decisions on eligibility and award winners will be made by the local organising and scientific committees.
Best Poster Award
There will also be prizes for the best poster of the two poster sessions and an overall best poster prize, check back for more detail nearer the conference.
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