phd futures: changing research landscape

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Changing research landscape: where are the opportunities? Vera Barron Research Funding Manager © Copyright rests with the authors. Please cite appropriately.

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This presentation covers the research funding landscape. There is also information on funding sources for early career researchers. © Copyright rests with authors. Please cite appropriately.

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Page 1: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Changing research landscape: where are the opportunities?

Vera BarronResearch Funding Manager

© Copyright rests with the authors. Please cite appropriately.

Page 2: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Purpose of presentation

1. Look at the latest developments in the research funding landscape

2. Provide you with an overview of research funding opportunities after the completion of your period of study

3. Overview of the grant application process: relevant funds; costing and hints & tips for good proposal writing

4. Questions and discussion

Page 3: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Who are the Funding Team and what do we do?

• Promotion of opportunities and calls• Identification of appropriate funding programmes

for your individual idea• Proposal preparation and development• Search for suitable project partners• Budget preparation• Liaising with project partners• Liaising with relevant funding bodies• Internal approval process• Proposal submission• Post award advice and guidance

Page 4: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Changing funding landscape

• Economic crisis and Government debt

• Low interest rates

• 30% reduction in financial contributions to charities

• Increase in applications to funding bodies

= competition tighter than ever

• Originality and excellence

• Understanding of funders’ objectives and priorities

• Approaching funders in advance to ensure your project fit with the scheme

Page 5: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Funding for postgraduate studies

• The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

http://www.cscuk.org.uk/

• The Overseas Research Students Award Scheme

http://www.orsas.ac.uk/

• UK-China Scholarship for Excellence

[email protected]

• Graduate Prospects

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/funding_my_further_study.htm

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/institutional_funding.htm

• International Office

Page 6: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

External funding opportunities – types of funder

Research Councils (RCs)• AHRC, ESRC, EPSRC, NECR, BBSRC, MRC and STFC

EU Commission• FP7 Programme (Cooperation, Ideas and People specific

programmes, Lifelong Learning, TEMPUS)

Trusts and charities• The British Academy• Leverhulme Trust• Wellcome Trust• Royal Society• Medical Charities and Trusts

UK Government• KTP scheme – co-sponsored by both RCs, the Govt & industrial/public

bodies• Knowledge Catalyst – AHRC• National Institute for Health Research

Industry

Page 7: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Beginning of your research career…

Early CareerFirst project as a P.I. and a time limit from 1st appointment or award of PhD. Often contain additional support such as mentoring from a senior colleague and

funds for career development activities such as training • ESRC/EPSRC - First Grant • AHRC – Early Career Researcher Grant (not

intended to support individual scholarship i.e. should have an RA or Co-I, up to £200k, up to 5 years)

• Nuffield Foundation – New Career Development Partnerships (role of senior colleague crucial – a “partnership”)

Page 8: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Beginning of your research career…

Small Grants & pilot studiesSeveral schemes fund smaller scale research projects (perhaps travel costs only) and can usually be used for preliminary/feasibility work too.

• British Academy - Small Research Grants (up to £7500)• Nuffield Foundation – Social Science Small Grants

Scheme (up to £7500)• ESRC/EPSRC – Small Grant (£15k - £100k)

Page 9: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Beginning of your research career…

Standard Research Grants These are open to any idea within the funders subject

remit and are often intended for a collaborative approach e.g. Principal investigator + Co-investigator (internal or external) or P.I. + RA.

• Research Councils - Standard Grants (responsive mode and also specific Calls for Proposals

• British Academy – BARDA (£15-£150k, 3 years, FEC)

• Leverhulme Trust – Research Grant (up to £250k, 2-3 years, research staff plus investigator replacement costs, not FEC)

Page 10: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

EU funded research

International research funds

• Framework 7 – Social Science & Humanities theme

(Annual Work Programme, will move to large projects, min. of 3 EU

partners – in practice many more) • HERA – Humanities European Research Area

(brings together national research funding agencies (AHRC) to coordinate European research partnerships)

• UK funds with an international element – for example ESRC, British Academy have bi-lateral agreements with overseas funders and some allow overseas co-investigators

• COST programme – networking of researchers

Page 11: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Developing a good application

1) The schemes offer both opportunities and restrictions which will help you shape your bid – make sure your application fits the aims of the call

2) Think about the following when drafting:WHAT? The research aim, questions & objectivesWHY? The context, the “gap” & the business caseHOW? Research methodology, work-plan, rolesWHO? Who will be interested? Target audience/s

RESULT? Outputs and deliverables

Key point: COHERENCE: a ‘golden thread’ that links the above

Page 12: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Developing a good application

3) Within the above, ensure the following are evidenced as these are the assessment criteria common to all funders:

• Promise of excellent research/work you wish to do• Value to potential users• Convincing ability to deliver the work• A well managed project• Value for money

Key point: BALANCE: all of these should be demonstrated. An idea might be excellent but the bid must also show how it will be delivered etc…

Page 13: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Future training sessions

1. Research Funding for Beginners - October 2010

2. Designing a research project and successful project application – October/November 2010

3. Introduction to project costing and budget development – November 2010

© Copyright rests with the authors. Please cite appropriately.

Page 14: PhD Futures: Changing research landscape

Hints and tips for success

• Do your research!

• Approach your research proposal from the funder’s point of view? (why should they want to fund it?)

• Consider what is unique/innovative about your proposal?

• Discuss it with your tutor / parents / friends / colleagues if possible – they may offer very useful suggestions for improvements

• Persevere!