Research Grants Contracts Office

1. Research Grants & Contracts Office Applying for research funding Louise Botley Research Support Officer Room 353, Malet Street extension 020 7631 6099 l.botley@bbk.ac.uk

2. Summary Making a successful application Major funders and their schemes Sources of information

3. What the funder looks for: High-quality research: an original contribution to knowledge in the field Outputs: what will be the impact of the research? Academic record: evidence of research potential Much of this is applicable to research grant applications in general – so also relevant to when you have your first academic job. Not all funders are the same. General principles - but always be aware of the differences. For PDs potential to go on to a successful academic career Evidence: degree results, any publications, references, Original contribution – ‘High quality’ Awareness of other relevant research in your field Contextualising your work Who is going to use your knowledge?Much of this is applicable to research grant applications in general – so also relevant to when you have your first academic job. Not all funders are the same. General principles - but always be aware of the differences. For PDs potential to go on to a successful academic career Evidence: degree results, any publications, references, Original contribution – ‘High quality’ Awareness of other relevant research in your field Contextualising your work Who is going to use your knowledge?

4. A strong proposal Addresses the funder’s research priorities and the aims of the scheme Clear language without jargon Establishes the context for the research Well-defined aims and objectives Detailed methodology – why these methods? Define your research question and why is it important? How does it relate to research you’ve already done? How does it advance knowledge? What further research might it lead to? Some funders will want to see how you will develop this research in future Define your research question and why is it important? How does it relate to research you’ve already done? How does it advance knowledge? What further research might it lead to? Some funders will want to see how you will develop this research in future

5. A strong proposal (2) Anticipates potential problems – how will you deal with them? Has realistic ambitions Identifies and addresses training needs Specified outputs and dissemination plans Training plans for career development fellowships Dissemination plans – show the impact of the research.Training plans for career development fellowships Dissemination plans – show the impact of the research.

6. Practical points Read all guidelines, terms and conditions Check your eligibility Check application form requirements, e.g. referee reports, signatures, length of proposal Allow plenty of time: check deadlines/method of submission. Electronic submission – may need to set up an account Eligibility of individual and of subject Univ. will need to commit resources – space, sometimes salary, continuation of contract – make early contact with the institution. Follow all requirements as stated – provide all information requested, font size, don’t send extra material .Eligibility of individual and of subject Univ. will need to commit resources – space, sometimes salary, continuation of contract – make early contact with the institution. Follow all requirements as stated – provide all information requested, font size, don’t send extra material .

7. Practical points (2) Choose referees carefully – check they have time. Get the finances right – check with Research Grants Justify costs where appropriate. Get as much feedback on your draft proposal as possible Referees – make sure they’re available, know what’s required. Remind them to do it. Consider changing referees – don’t necessarily use the same ones. Ask your referees to comment on a draft Involve research grants as soon as possible – especially with full economic costing. Referees – make sure they’re available, know what’s required. Remind them to do it. Consider changing referees – don’t necessarily use the same ones. Ask your referees to comment on a draft Involve research grants as soon as possible – especially with full economic costing.

8. Essential contacts Head of Department Research Grants Office Funding agency staff Referees Supervisor Potential mentor Ethics committees

9. Proposal writing guides ESRC – follow ‘How do I’ link on left hand side. AMRC – Click on ‘Our Members’ at the top of screen; ‘A guide to success’ is on the right of the screen. EPSRC: Click on ‘How to Apply’ on right hand side.

10. Types of Funder Research Councils Charities Government bodies Commercial sponsors

11. Arts and Humanities British Academy Leverhulme Trust. Wellcome Trust – History of Medicine Arts and Humanities Research Council – Creative and Performing Arts Panels: Classics, ancient history and archaeology Visual arts and media: practice, history, theory English language and literature Medieval and modern history Modern languages and linguistics Librarianship, information and museum studies Music and performing arts Philosophy, religious studies and law Panels: Classics, ancient history and archaeology Visual arts and media: practice, history, theory English language and literature Medieval and modern history Modern languages and linguistics Librarianship, information and museum studies Music and performing arts Philosophy, religious studies and law

12. British Academy Awards grants in humanities and social sciences (inc. psychology) Postdoctoral fellowships 3 years support for outstanding recent postdoctoral scholars (up to 2 yrs post PhD) Production of single publishable piece of research Closing date 28 February 2004: 518 applications submitted, 38 awards made http://www.britac.ac.uk Samples of written work Success rate 7%Samples of written work Success rate 7%

13. Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship 2 year award – all fields are eligible Trust pays up to 50% of the employment cost, plus research expenses up to £5,000 pa Career development for researchers under the age of 35 with track record. Closing date March www.leverhulme.ac.uk Applicants must have submitted thesis by closing date – in order to stop people applying too early Applicants with no tenured position. Usually exceptions for those over age limit – must have enough time to have academic careerApplicants must have submitted thesis by closing date – in order to stop people applying too early Applicants with no tenured position. Usually exceptions for those over age limit – must have enough time to have academic career

14. Social Sciences Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) British Academy Leverhulme Trust Wellcome Trust – Biomedical Ethics Nuffield Foundation

15. Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Budget of £77m for research in 2004/05 Postdoctoral Fellowship 1 year, immediately on completion of PhD No closing dates Open to all disciplines but preference given to priority areas – economics, quantitative methods. Success rate in 2005: 24%. www.esrc.ac.uk From July 2006, no more than one year of postdoc experience at time of taking up award. Also standard fellowship scheme for 2-3 year period of concentrated research activity. Can include training as well as research Need to have departmental mentor Salary costs plus some support for research expenses.From July 2006, no more than one year of postdoc experience at time of taking up award. Also standard fellowship scheme for 2-3 year period of concentrated research activity. Can include training as well as research Need to have departmental mentor Salary costs plus some support for research expenses.

16. Science and Engineering Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Leverhulme Trust Wellcome Trust – Biomedical Sciences Royal Society

17. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Royal Academy of Engineering/EPSRC Postdoctoral Research Fellowships Awards tenable for 5 years Postdoctoral Fellowships in Mathematical Sciences Tenable for 3 years Postdoctoral Fellowships in Theoretical Physics Deadlines for MS and TP both September. FeCDeadlines for MS and TP both September. FeC

18. Medical Sciences Medical Research Council Wellcome Trust Department of Health/NHS Various medical charities – e.g. British Heart Foundation Interdisciplinary awards with ESRC ESRC/MRC Interdisciplinary Post-doctoral fellowships ESRC/MRC Interdisciplinary Post-doctoral fellowships

19. Medical Research Council Special Training Fellowships in: Bioinformatics, Neuroinformatics, and Computational Biology Health Services & Health of the Public Research Provide support for up to 4 years Placement in another research centre ‘Competitive’ salary, research training support costs, travel, fEC basis. Other fellowships for clinicians Possibility of placement can be in a second UK research centre or in UK Industry Aim of the placement is training, not just collaborative visits. Training which cannot be achieved as effectively within the proposed academic host institution. Applications from individuals with a background in the physical sciences wishing to make the transition into biomedical research may be considered for the Joint MRC/PPARC Research Training Fellowship Deadline was January this year.Other fellowships for clinicians Possibility of placement can be in a second UK research centre or in UK Industry Aim of the placement is training, not just collaborative visits. Training which cannot be achieved as effectively within the proposed academic host institution. Applications from individuals with a background in the physical sciences wishing to make the transition into biomedical research may be considered for the Joint MRC/PPARC Research Training Fellowship Deadline was January this year.

20. Wellcome Trust University Awards Biomedical Sciences Gradual change from fellow to permanent staff member Research Fellowships for up to 3 years Biomedical Ethics programme and History of Medicine programme Salary, research expenses, travel grant Closing dates: 1 Mar., 1 Aug., 1 Dec Other fellowships for clinicians Outline applications must be submitted 6 weeks in advanceOther fellowships for clinicians Outline applications must be submitted 6 weeks in advance

21. Other sources of funding Fellowships for study overseas Visiting fellowships offered by libraries/universities/museums and galleries Travel grants to visit archives/attend conferences Employment on a research grant Study Abroad Studentships – Leverhulme Trust For post-grad and post-doc study 12-24 mnths advanced study or research at a centre of learning (except US) Maintenance allowance of £15k pa plus air fare Not just for learning a language! EPSRC – Hodge Fellowship with Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifque – near Paris (only 2 available) Maths or Theoretical Physics Royal Society – Outgoing Fellowships to Australia, Canada and New Zealand Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme – nominations through the Royal Society.Study Abroad Studentships – Leverhulme Trust For post-grad and post-doc study 12-24 mnths advanced study or research at a centre of learning (except US) Maintenance allowance of £15k pa plus air fare Not just for learning a language! EPSRC – Hodge Fellowship with Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifque – near Paris (only 2 available) Maths or Theoretical Physics Royal Society – Outgoing Fellowships to Australia, Canada and New Zealand Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme – nominations through the Royal Society.

23. Funding Information Funders’ websites Supervisor Research grants website www.bbk.ac.uk/rgco/index.shtml - for faculty specific funding information and list of forthcoming deadlines www.ResearchResearch.com Funders’ websites on later slides. Always go to funders websites as well to check most up to date information, not just on deadlines but also changes in policy, new schemes, information events. Sign up to email newsletters. www.amrc.org.uk – Association of Medical Research Charities - ResearchResearch – University subscribes – only accessible from campus with your ID and password. Search by discipline, type of scheme, type of funder Travel grants, publication grants, grants for postdocs is a category Also guides to grant writing; funding and policy news.Funders’ websites on later slides. Always go to funders websites as well to check most up to date information, not just on deadlines but also changes in policy, new schemes, information events. Sign up to email newsletters. www.amrc.org.uk – Association of Medical Research Charities - ResearchResearch – University subscribes – only accessible from campus with your ID and password. Search by discipline, type of scheme, type of funder Travel grants, publication grants, grants for postdocs is a category Also guides to grant writing; funding and policy news.

25. Useful websites AHRC: www.ahrb.ac.uk/cpa/ ESRC: www.esrc.ac.uk MRC: www.mrc.ac.uk/index/funding/funding-personal_awards/funding-fellowships.htm Royal Academy of Engineering: www.raeng.org.uk/research/researcher/postdoc EPSRC: www.epsrc.ac.uk NERC: www.nerc.ac.uk PPARC: www.pparc.ac.uk

26. Useful websites (2) British Academy: www.britac.ac.uk Leverhulme Trust: www.leverhulme.ac.uk Wellcome Trust: www.wellcome.ac.uk Nuffield Foundation: www.nuffield.org.uk The Royal Society: www.royalsoc.ac.uk Medical Research Charities: www.amrc.org.uk