The New Connections Programme is a series of research talks at universities across the UK. 

We will be inviting proposals for the 2026 programme from September 2025 onwards.

The New Connections Fund is a BAFTSS scheme supporting early career researchers and academics on fixed-term contracts, encouraging them to broker a fresh relationship with an academic institution. For the 2026 Programme, BAFTSS will provide bursaries of £150 each to enable them to present their research to a new audience. The bursary can be used to cover travel costs and/or academic book purchases. 

To benefit from the scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• hold an active BAFTSS membership 
• be an ECR within 8 years of the PhD being awarded or not be in permanent salaried academic work. 

​These durations should exclude any period of career break, for example for family care, health reasons or reasons consequent upon the COVID-19 pandemic (such as home schooling or time on furlough). 

• not have any prior institutional connection with the chosen host university (such as teaching experience, undergraduate or postgraduate study). This is because we want the Programme to introduce ECRs to new audiences, to help them to network and enhance their CV. 

Applicants are invited to provide the following information on the form below:

• name and email address
• institutional affiliation (if any)
• short biography
• confirmation of your eligibility (please note that this scheme is not open to PhD students)
• title of the research talk
• abstract of up to 100 words
• name of the host institution* and department / research centre / cluster / group (and if relevant, the title of the university’s programme of research papers)
• provisionally agreed date
• provisionally agreed time, location and format of the talk (in-person, online or hybrid)
• name of chair/respondent. We strongly encourage applicants to liaise with the relevant party in advance of the submission

Please note: the talk should primarily showcase the ECR’s own research. Should an online research talk be taking place, in line with the practice of the host institution and/or the circumstances of the participant, the recording of the talk will then be made available on the BAFTSS website. 

For the 2026 programme, there will be two rounds of funding :

• 1st round: talks taking place between January and June 2026
  • Application deadline: 15 December 2025
• 2nd round: talks taking place between September and December 2026
  • Application deadline: 15 June 2026

Please apply using the form below. You can submit any queries to Eve Benhamou. 

Research talks must take place at a UK institution, but we welcome the participation from applicants across and beyond the UK, and whose research explores issues related to diversity and inclusivity across the disciplines represented by BAFTSS (film, television and screen studies).

*For support regarding the choice of host institution and/or respondent, you can contact the BAFTSS SIG convenors (https://www.baftss.org/sigs.html), BAFTSS mentors (via the BAFTSS Early Career Mentoring Scheme, https://www.baftss.org/early-career-mentoring-scheme.html), and/or the BAFTSS Representative for academics on fixed-term contracts and independent researchers (Eve Benhamou). 

BAFTSS Inclusivity Statement
BAFTSS is committed to supporting its members regardless of age, race, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sex, sexuality, ability, body, or ethnic origin. We aim to build a culture in which fairness and inclusion are a fundamental part of everything that we do, and in which diversity is valued and celebrated. This statement reflects our approach to ensuring that our shared community is free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and bullying. We are diverse and inclusive, promoting a strong collegial community through openness, listening and co-operation. 

In support of these values, BAFTSS takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of behaviour that violate the dignity of others. Zero-tolerance means that the Association will never tolerate, condone or ignore bullying, harassment or hate crime of any kind. We recognise that these behaviours can take many forms. They may be carried out face-to-face or through electronic media (cyber bullying); they may be subtle or overt abuses of power. All members of our Association have a collective responsibility to encourage a culture of dignity and respect; to treat others fairly, with courtesy and consideration; and to challenge inappropriate behaviour when it is safe to do so. Academics have a particular responsibility to lead by example, identifying inappropriate cultures and behaviours when these occur and taking prompt action to stop or prevent them. 

We will treat any allegation of harassment (racial or sexual), hate crime, bullying or victimisation seriously, regardless of the seniority of those involved. BAFTSS has developed a set of Guidelines to ensure that we deal with grievances according to principles that are rigorous, fair, structured, sensitive, transparent, neutral and timely.