Endorsement Reject-Review

[caez87]

I applied for the first stage of the Global Talent Visa on January 17th for endorsement through the British Academy.

I applied in the Exceptional Talent category and received a letter from the chair of one of the reputable UK research organizations, which is one of the requirements in that category.

I received an email from Home Office on 23 January. It is said; British Academy have advised, that upon initial review, my application may be better suited for review under the Exceptional Promise category.

Do you think this is good or bad? Because in my reference letters and general application form was also prepared for the Exceptional Talent category and the mail from the Home Office also said that I did not need to revise my application and that it could be applied for Promise Category.

Another question, how long does Stage 1 take for the endorsement?

Many thanks for your replies.

[lolo2]

The eligibility criteria from the British Academy for the route.British Academy - GTV route 4: peer review

The exceptional talent (or leader) category has additional mandatory requirements than the exceptional promise, based on your research experience and achievements. It seems the BA considered you fit better within the promise category.

It doesn't have any impact or make any difference in terms of the GTV conditions.

[meself2]

It slows down the route to ILR a bit (5 years for promise, 3 for talent), but can't recall any other disadvantages from the top of my head.

[lolo2]

No, this is not the case when the British Academy endorses the application.

OP can apply for ILR after three years no matter the endorsement is approved as a leader or as a promise.

The five-years rule applies when the endorsement is given as an exceptional promise by Arts Council England or Tech Nation. Global Talent Visa - ILR

[meself2]

Apologies, that's on me then.

[caez87]

Thank you very much for the answers, I have already learned that there is no serious difference in the Talent or Promise category after receiving the visa. Actually, what I want to ask is whether this will affect the result my application.

Because my reference letters and my personal statement were always prepared according to the Talent category. The Home Office did not ask me to revise my application separately, they just asked me to confirm that they would consider my application in the Promise category. I am worried that my application will be rejected for this reason. Some people say that such an email is a good sign, but I am not sure. Thanks!

[lolo2]

the Home Office also said that I did not need to revise my application and that it could be applied for Promise Category.

What they're saying is that they will assess your application as an exceptional promise instead of exceptional leader using the same documents you submitted, and you don't need to do anything else. It doesn't mean they will reject your application.

I would say you don't need to worry about the category just wait for the outcome. If they asked to confirm this path you have to respond accordingly.

[caez87]

the Home Office also said that I did not need to revise my application and that it could be applied for Promise Category.

What they're saying is that they will assess your application as an exceptional promise instead of exceptional leader using the same documents you submitted, and you don't need to do anything else. It doesn't mean they will reject your application.

I would say you don't need to worry about the category just wait for the outcome. If they asked to confirm this path you have to respond accordingly.

Yes, I confirmed it clearly, but I added more information in my responding email about why I applied for Talent Category and why I am confused about it (I have asked the Home Office to forward these added information to the British Academy, but I don't know if they will do so)

As you said, I am waiting for the result. Today is the 12th day from the first submission.

[caez87]

My endorsement application was rejected by British Academy.

The reason is only the lack of enough track record and publication record for peer review route. I completed my PhD in UK and returned to Turkey in 2019.

Although the difficult academic conditions in Turkey and Covid-19 pandemic, I published 1 monograph, 1 SSCI-Q2 articles, 5 other articles, 10 conference papers within 3 years. When I checked some of successful candidate's CV, my CV is completely better than others.

So, I submitted review form, is there any possibility of new decision? I don't expect anything from review but I don't know if I do the new application, it will be sucessful. Because I cannot change my CV completely, I may add only 1 or 2 articles.

[econ89]

Are you employed? Or have a research post?

[caez87]

I am employed and I have a seperate research post. Problem is only publication track record. Reviewers satisfied reference letters and my potential contribution to UK academic life.

[econ89]

Are you employed in uk? Or somewhere else? Which category did you apply for?

[caez87]

No Turkey, as i said i don't have any problem about research post or employment issue.

I meet mandatory requirements. Problem is about reviewer's decision that my publication track record is not strong enough.

Peer Review-Route 4 Stage 1 Endorsement-British Academy

[econ89]

I hope it is approved during the review but if it is not you can apply again when you have another 1-2 publications

[econ89]

What field is your specialisation? And what field did you apply for endorsement?

[caez87]

What field is your specialisation? And what field did you apply for endorsement?

I applied Political Science field but my specialisation is Turkish Politics. My reference letter came from professor who is well-known scholar on Turkish Politics. Reviewers satisfied my Reference letter and my potential contribution to UK academic life, but they are not satisfied only publication track record according to my career stage. However, I know that some of the applicants whose CV worse than mine, received endorsement.

[econ89]

Yes I also read about people with just a post doc job offer after PhD and no substantial publications who received endorsement.
Was your reference letter by a uk professor?

[econ89]

Any update on your review?

[caez87]

Any update on your review?

No, still I am waiting. This is the 22nd day after review request and the deadline for review result will be on 23 March (review outcome should be within 28 calendar days).

I don't understand why it took long. Because as far as I read from the Home Office's guidelines, they are looking for technical mistakes (like missing documents) rather than a re-evaluation of the content. So, most of the candidates received the review outcome 1 or 2 weeks.

[econ89]

I hope all works well

[econ89]

My stage 1 application was also rejected from the British Academy so I’ve also decided to apply for review as their main concern is that I don’t meet the criteria for being an active researcher although I am employed by the uk government and leading one of their research programmes.

The application decision also states ‘the applicant did not demonstrate that the applicant is undertaking independent research to demonstrate exceptional talent, hence was not deemed to satisfy the criteria to be passed for peer review under exceptional promise’

They are contracting their own statements, I applied for exceptional promise.