Rules and Criteria for the Research Fund

1. Research Funds are awarded by the Research Fund Committee, which is authorised to make a limited number of awards in any one year to a maximum of £2000 to be used, for example, for the purchase of chemicals and/or equipment for research in chemistry or chemistry-related work, or for running expenses in connection with chemical education research. 
2. Applications are limited to one per department and MUST be submitted through the head of that department. 
3. Preference is given to those working in less well-endowed institutions and to those supporting their own research.   When allocating grants, preference is given to 'pump-priming' inventive applications.    
4. Persons employed as research students will not be considered for funding. 
5. Applicants must be members of the Royal Society of Chemistry, though non-member school teachers may apply. 
6. Applicants are required to provide information on:
   i. The nature of the research in which he or she desires to engage and of the scientific or educational results expected to follow therefrom.    
   ii. Where the research is to be carried out   
   iii. The approximate full cost of the research and, as far as possible, detailed breakdown of the manner in which it is proposed to spend any grant that may be awarded. This should include quantities and costs for each item.   
   iv. What sources of financial assistance are normally available to the applicant for research; the results of applications to such sources; and the reasons if no such applications have been made.
7. Applicants carrying out research under supervision are required to have their applications signed by their Supervisor.  
8. All applicants will be required to provide the names of two referees (in addition to that of the Supervisor where Regulation 7 is applicable).   Normally, at least one of the referees should work in a different institution to the applicant and in the case of overseas applicants; it would be helpful if one referee lived in the UK. 
9. Each grantee will be required to provide a report of approximately 1000 words on the progress of the research, together with a detailed statement of expenditure.   The report should begin with a summary of the main conclusions of the research.   The report itself should include an outline of the work done, techniques used, results obtained, conclusions reached and a judgement of the success or otherwise of the project, together with prospects for future development. 
10. When two or more persons make a joint application, it must be stated who will be responsible for providing the report, for receiving and disbursing the money and for the general conduct of the research. 
11. For chemical research, it is expected that the grant will normally be used for the purchase of equipment (glassware, etc.) and chemicals. 
12. The Fund is designed for use by the applicant for his or her personal research; the work must NOT be undertaken by a research student on behalf of the applicant.   Furthermore, undergraduate or postgraduate coursework cannot be supported from the grant. 
13. Under the usual conditions of funding, NO portion of the grant may be used for personal expenses such as the payment of an assistant or research student and WILL NOT normally be used for the purchase of books or subscriptions to journals or magazines.   Only in exceptional circumstances, and specifically to aid the furtherance of the research programme, may a portion of the grant be used for travel; details must be explicitly identified in the application. 
14. All papers or publications describing investigations conducted with the aid of an RSC Research Fund grant must contain acknowledgement of that fact.   One reprint of each such publication should be submitted with the final report (see Regulation 9) or as soon as possible thereafter. 
15. A grant will not normally be awarded to the same applicant for more than three consecutive years. 
16. The Council reserves the right to modify the size of grants in accordance with the sums annually accruing to the Fund. 
17. The Council has the power to alter the above Regulations and to attach any grant other conditions it may deem desirable.