phd futures: changing research landscape
DESCRIPTION
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.TRANSCRIPT
Changing research landscape: where are the opportunities?
Vera BarronResearch Funding Manager
© Copyright rests with the authors. Please cite appropriately.
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
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
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
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
• Graduate Prospects
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/funding_my_further_study.htm
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/institutional_funding.htm
• International Office
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
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”)
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)
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)
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
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
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…
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.
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!