I've just applied to study Development Studies at Oxford, and reasonably confident I'll get in, as I already did a year ago, but turned it down when I got a job with an NGO. However, the fees have gone up even more, and now stand at 22K for the 2 year course. There are 2 ESRC quota awards for the department that covers 3 courses, and each dept. can also nominate 1 person for the open competition.

I'm a bit stuck as I graduated around 1 1/2 years ago (with a first in anthropology at durham) and because this is a different course, don't know where to start about writing a proposal. I have a few vague areas I want to look into but nothing that would make me stand out from the rest. What are people's experience of writing proposals for ESRC? Did you just go straight ahead and contact a potential tutor to get help? Am a bit reluctant to do this as I don't think I know enough yet.

Any advice, stories to share etc, would be really appreciated.

It's an MPhil by the way, but the ESRC is a 2+2 (2 years MPhil + 2 years PhD) so thought this would be the best place to post

Hey, basically I think its vitally important you contact potential supervisors ASAP. As you said, they have to nominate one person for the award, and they're unlikely to do this unless you know them, as they will have to work with you for four years. Once you've done that they will then help you put your case for funding together.