The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the BBC will be launching the New Generation Thinkers Scheme next week. The scheme invites applications from academics across arts and humanities disciplines that have a passion for communicating the excitement of modern scholarship to a wider audience and who have an interest in broader cultural debate.

Up to sixty successful applicants will have a chance to develop their programme-making ideas with experienced BBC producers at a series of dedicated workshops and, of these up to ten will become Radio 3’s resident New Generation Thinkers. They will benefit from a unique opportunity to develop their own programmes for BBC Radio 3 and a chance to regularly appear on air.

Producers from BBC Radio 3, BBC Television Arts and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are looking to receive applications from the brightest, early-career academics that have the potential to turn their ground-breaking ideas into sensational broadcasting.

Last year’s winners were Radio 3’s second generation of resident New Generation Thinkers; they received top-level mentoring and advice on how to develop their ideas into viable programme propositions and spent time shadowing the work of presenters and producers alike.  They went on to make their debut appearance on BBC Radio 3’s arts and ideas programme Night Waves, where they spoke about the idea that has been inspired by their research as well as delivering talks at BBC Radio 3’s annual Free Thinking Festival of Ideas, at the Sage, Gateshead.

The scheme will be launched on the AHRC website under Funding Opportunities the week commencing Monday 12 November.

For more information please contact

Danielle Moore-Chick, AHRC: 01793 416021 d.moore-chick@ahrc.ac.uk

BBC Radio 3 – BBC Radio 3 broadcasts classical music, jazz, world music, arts and over 30 new drama programmes a year. As the home of classical music, BBC Radio 3 features more live classical music programming than any other and is the home of the BBC Proms, broadcasting every Prom live and over 600 complete concerts a year. The station is the largest commissioner of new musical works in the country and is committed to supporting new talent; composers, writers and new young performers through schemes such as World Routes Academy, New Generation Artists and New Generation Thinkers.

Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) – The AHRC supports research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. The AHRC makes research awards every year ranging from individual fellowships to major collaborative projects, as well as over 1,100 studentship awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded.