Our Research Fund supports members with limited access to research funds to start new projects, particularly those working in less well-funded institutes, those in developing countries and early career researchers.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You are an RSC member (AMRSC or above) at the time of the application deadline. Please note that it is not sufficient to have only applied for membership – you must have already been admitted. Membership applications can take up to 2 months to process and approve. If you have any questions, please contact our Membership team.
- You hold an independent research post.
- You must not be currently holding another active Research Fund grant.
- Current Research Enablement Grant holders may not apply for a Research Fund to support the same project. If, as a Research Enablement Grant holder, you apply to the Research Fund for a different project, reviewers will consider the application in the context of your current Research Enablement Grant.
- Applications are limited to one per department and require support from your Head of Department.
Please ensure you read our terms & conditions fully before you begin your application. Our Frequently Asked Questions document also provides further details about eligibility and the application process.
Institutions are encouraged to allow the maximum number of applicants they can over a 12 month period. If an unsuccessful applicant from the previous round wishes to apply again, their new application should be substantially different than the previous.
What can I request funding for?
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The scheme provides up to £4000 of funding for 12 months, covering:
- Chemicals and/or equipment
- Consumables
- Licences for specialist software required for the project
- Equipment repairs not covered by University funds
- Equipment access, for example at a synchrotron facility
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- Travel costs
- Salary contributions
- Departmental overheads (including office equipment)
- Costs for the dissemination of the work (including conference attendance and publication costs)
- Funding also should not replace or reduce institutional or funding agency support.
Application timelines
| Applications open | 6 June 2022 |
| Application close | 11 July 2022 1400 BST |
| Initial screening decisions | Week commencing 25 July 2022 |
| Funding decisions | By end of September 2022 |
The next round of applications open in November, with applications communicated in March 2023.
Assessment criteria
All applications will undergo an initial screening by staff. Applications will be rejected at this stage if:
- You do not meet our eligibility criteria (see above).
- Your application is incomplete.
- Your application does not adhere to length limits instructed in the application system.
- Your funding request exceeds the £4000 limit.
All remaining applications will undergo peer review by our reviewers. Final funding decisions will then be overseen by:
- Professor Andy Cammidge, University of East Anglia
- Professor John Dean, Northumbria University
- Professor Alison Hulme, University of Edinburgh
Our reviewers will assess applications on:
| Quality of science | Reviewers will assess novelty and scientific impact of the proposed project. |
| Feasibility of proposal | Your proposal must be clearly written and costed, and must be feasible to complete in a 12 month timeframe. |
| Situation of the applicant | We will prioritise those with limited access to research funding or a short term gap in funding which is impacting a specific project. |
| Impact of the funding | Reviewers will assess how completion of your project will benefit your career. Examples include promotion/new position prospects or chances for further funding. |
For full details, please see our terms & conditions or contact us using the form below.
Funding
- Email:
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Funding
- Email:
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