Dozens of Early Career Researchers have already benefitted from ZERO Institute Travel Bursaries less than a year after the programme launched in June 2025.
Recipients have collectively travelled across Europe, North America and Asia to attend conferences, collaborate on research, develop technical skills and build international networks within the zero-carbon energy space.
“The ZERO Institute ECR travel award has been a critical enabling factor in expanding my research network, accelerating high-quality research outputs, and positioning the project for future external funding and long-term impact in zero-carbon ocean energy.”
— Chenying Liu
Bursary recipients are undertaking research that supports the transition to a zero-carbon economy across a wide range of disciplines and departments.
Some are addressing challenges in the built environment, including climate resilience of buildings, residential energy demand across different national contexts, cooling strategies for energy-intensive data centres, and approaches to building decarbonisation in the global south. Others are working on modelling and optimising electric vehicle charging and associated energy demand.
Many researchers have a focus on advanced materials and energy technologies including alternative battery materials, iron-based superconductors for nuclear fusion, and ocean-based energy harvesting. Another project investigates the mechanical properties of steels to support the continued safe operation of nuclear power plants.
Zirui Song at the 6th EruoMOF conference on Metal Organic Frameworks
Further work includes economic modelling of the UK’s carbon budgets and developing methods to improve the quality of citizen-generated climate data.
“Overall, the bursary provided an excellent opportunity to expand my professional network, disseminate my research outcomes, and strengthen my academic profile. … this activity … has significantly contributed to my development as an early-career researcher and to the advancement of my current project.”
— Ruiying Shu
The ZERO Institute Early Career Researcher ECR Travel & Conference Bursaries are offered to Oxford University researchers on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Microgrants are awarded to researchers early in their career (less than 10 years since completion of their last degree) developing research that drives innovative solutions for a zero-carbon energy system.
Marcel Seger presenting at the 20th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems & Technology
So far, 32 awards have been granted to early career researchers from myriad departments including Engineering Science, Materials, Chemistry, Computer Science, the Institute for New Economic Thinking, the Environmental Change Institute and the wider School of Geography and Environment and with a 50/50 gender split across the awardees.
Overall, our Travel Bursary programme is enabling early-career researchers to engage internationally, strengthen their research, and contribute to global challenges in energy, climate and sustainability.