Latest calls

An up-to-date database is available at Research Professional complete with news and advice on writing proposals. You can access this site from any computer on the Goldsmiths campus. If you want to access the site from off campus you will need to register, which is very easy to do. If you would like any help with registering or with using the site please contact Emmy Harrup on 7770 or by email.

In addition, the Research Office produces a document called Horizons three times a year, which outlines many of the available funding opportunities for research. If you would like to know more about any of these calls, please contact us.

LATEST CALL NEWS

AHRC

Important information for AHRC grant applicants   

In March the AHRC will be moving to a new cross-Council grants processing system as part of completing its transition to the RCUK Shared Services Centre. This is part of a process leading to all Research Councils receiving and processing their grant applications through a common system.

Harmonisation of common processes will allow for greater consistency across the Research Councils and result in efficiency savings which will be channelled into further investment in research.

However, due to the technical complexity of these changes, we need a short period when normal application processes are suspended to ensure that migration of systems can take place quickly and efficiently and overall disruption be kept to an absolute minimum. Applicants will therefore not be able to submit grant proposals through Je-S from 4pm on the 28 Jan, with calls re-opening on 1 March. During this period, they will, however, be able to access the Je-S system, create proposals and complete some sections of the form, although some sections will be unavailable.

Full details are available on this document (pdf 46kb).

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Research Grant (Standard) São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

Guidelines for Research Grant ( Standard Route ) relating to the Memorandum of Understanding between RCUK and FAPESP. 

In 2009 Research Councils UK (RCUK) and FAPESP, the Research Council for the State of São Paulo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to welcome, encourage and support proposals that may cut across our national boundaries and involve international collaborative teams.

The MoU provides for a 'Lead Agency Agreement' whereby the relevant UK Research Council will receive and assess collaborative proposals from eligible institutions on behalf of both organisations. FAPESP nominated experts will be involved with the peer review and decision making processes throughout.

For further information see the RCUK-FAPESP MoU.

This scheme operates to open deadlines.

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UK/Japanese Short-term Fellowship Programme - National Institutes for the Humanities: Enhance your research with up to six months study at The National Institutes for the Humanities in Japan .

Opportunities now exist for current AHRC funded PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and research assistants to undertake short-term placements with the National Institutes for the Humanities (NIHU), Japan during 2011-12 as part of a joint UK/Japan Short-term Fellowship Programme.

Thanks to the AHRC/NIHU Memorandum of Understanding AHRC-funded scholars can have access to the world-class facilities that exist in NIHU facilities. The scholarships can last between three and six months, depending on the time required to complete the proposed research. Each fellowship needs to take place between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012 .

The successful applicants will receive a contribution towards their flights costs and a monthly allowance in addition to their normal monthly stipend paid as part of their award holder funding.

NIHU consists of six Inter-University Research Institutes that support comprehensive academic research on culture and the humanities. Please click on the links below to view information on each institutes activities:

• National Museum of Japanese History
• National Institute of Japanese Literature
• International Research Centre for Japanese Studies
• Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
• National Museum of Ethnology
• National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistic
  

These institutes offer high quality research facilities for scholars with an interest in exploiting the extensive collections they hold.

The AHRC scheme forms part of the NIHU programme of “Inter-institutional and External Joint Research” which aims to foster long-term durable links between countries and institutions engaged in the study of culture and the humanities.  

Closing Dates

Applications must be submitted no later than 17:00 GMT  on  7 April 2011 .

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UK-US Collaborative Funding Opportunity

The Arts and Humanities Research Council of the UK and the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE) of the US National Science Foundation have been collaborating in support of research of mutual interest for several years. A Memorandum of Understanding is in place to encourage interdisciplinary research and facilitate the peer-review and joint-funding of US-UK collaborative research in areas at the intersection of the two agencies’ missions. Prospective Principal Investigators (PIs) should review the programs supported through SBE’s two research divisions, the Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences and Division of Social and Economic Sciences, as well as the AHRC for further information on each of the agency’s areas of support.  Researchers are also encouraged to discuss topics for possible joint support with agency personnel.

If you are interested in US-UK collaborative research opportunities, please review the special guidelines to learn more about the review process and criteria established under the MOU.

Closing Dates

Please refer to the above links to the relevant NSF webpage for information on specific programme deadlines.

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Still being funded:

• Fellowships
• Fellowships - early career researchers
• Follow-on Funding
• Highlight notices
• Library of Congress Scholarship
• NIHU Scholarship
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Research Grants - Early Careers
• Research Grants - Standard
• Research Networking
• São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)
• US Collaborative Funding Opportunity

 

ESRC

Important notice for applicants

We have made some changes to our funding schemes in our Delivery Plan for 2011-2015.

We are have made some changes to our funding schemes. These are detailed in our Delivery Plan for 2011-2015.

The key changes include:

• We no longer have small grants, postdoctoral fellowships and mid-career development fellowships schemes.
• We will introduce a new Future Leaders scheme for early career researchers in spring 2011.
• An increased lower threshold for standard grants of £200,000, and an increased upper threshold of £2million.

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DFID-ESRC growth programme

The ESRC and DFID are partnering in a new programme on economic growth in developing countries.  We are provisionally allocating up to £8.91 million for collaborative research projects under this programme and we expect to fund up to 30 research projects with an average size of £370k (at 100 per cent FEC) and a duration of up to three years. ESRC will administer the programme on behalf of the co-funders. We intend to announce a call for proposals in March 2011.

This scheme is additional to the existing ESRC/DFID joint scheme for research on international development (poverty alleviation), which will be launching the third call for proposals under the second phase of the scheme in June 2011. 

For more information about this competition:

• DFID-ESRC growth programme pre call (PDF, 104Kb)
  

 

The British Academy

New British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship Scheme

Proposals are invited for a new scheme of British Academy Mid-Career Fellowships. The Academy intends, through this scheme, both to support outstanding individual researchers with excellent research proposals, and to support outstanding communicators who will promote public understanding and engagement with humanities and social sciences. The scheme contributes to the Academy’s strategic commitments both to the support of ideas, individuals and intellectual resources and to public engagement and dovetails with the Academy’s new Languages and Quantitative Skills programme.

Aim of the award

The aim of the scheme is to allow successful applicants to obtain time freed from normal teaching and administrative commitments. The time bought by the scheme should be devoted to the completion of a major piece of research and/or to the promotion of a programme of public engagement and communication. Awards will be judged both on the excellence of the research proposed and on the capacity of the applicant to communicate with a broad audience.

Scope of the award

Applicants for the Mid Career Fellowships should be intending to pursue – or, in the case of those applying to support a programme of communication, have pursued – original, independent research in any field of study within the humanities or social sciences. In respect of some of the awards, the Academy will take into account the aim of providing particular support for certain important fields, including modern languages and quantitative and other formal skills. A small proportion of the total number of awards will be offered specifically to contribute to the Academy’s new Languages and Quantitative Skills Programme. All applicants are invited to state how they see their particular programme, whether directly meeting current challenges or not, contributing to the identification of future priorities and challenges.

Eligibility

These Fellowships are awards to individuals employed at UK universities or other UK institutions of higher education, and the Academy is looking particularly to support mid-career scholars. The Academy takes no account of an applicant’s physical age or current status in determining eligibility, but will look to provide opportunities for scholars who have established a significant track record of publication or as an excellent communicator and ‘champion’ in their field, and who are normally within no more than 15 years from the award of their doctorate. In considering eligibility, the Academy will make due allowance for applicants who have had career breaks, and for established scholars who do not have doctorates.

Level of Grant

These Fellowships are covered under the Full Economic Costing (FEC) regime, but the Academy’s contribution to the salary of the Mid-Career Fellow will be capped at £80,000. It is not expected that the total value of an award will exceed £160,000. Awards can be held over a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, beginning in the autumn of 2011.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 9 March 2011 .

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Small Research Grants

This scheme is being phased out after the current call for proposals.

Grants are offered of up to £7,500 for collaborative or individual projects to facilitate initial project planning and development, to support the direct costs of research, and to enable the advancement of research through workshops or by visits by or to partner scholars.

The deadline for submission of applications is 23 March 2011
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Conference Support Grants

This scheme is being phased out after the current call for proposals. 

Grants normally not exceeding £7,500 (but in exceptional circumstances up to £20,000) to promote the dissemination of advanced research. Conference convenors may apply for financial assistance, e.g. to bring key speakers to the UK , or for a wider range of expenses.

The deadline for submission of applications is 16 March 2011
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Overseas Conference Grants

This scheme is being phased out after the current call for proposals 

Grants are available for the travel expenses of a scholar delivering a paper at a conference abroad.

The deadline for submission of applications is 2 March 2011

Conferences starting not earlier than: 1 July 2011

Conferences starting not later than: 31 December 2011

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No calls for proposals are expected to be issued for the British Academy Wolfson Research Professorships during the 2010-11 academic year.

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UK-Latin America and the Caribbean Link Programme

Grants are available to support the development of a joint seminar programme with institutions in Latin America or the Caribbean .

One round annually
Deadline for Submission of Applications: 30 March 2011

Seminars happening on or after: 1 September 2011  

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International Partnerships

Grants are available to support the development of institutional links between the UK and Africa , the Middle East or South Asia .

One round annually
Deadline for Submission of Applications: 30 March 2011

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Newton International Fellowship

The Newton International Fellowship scheme will select the very best early stage post-doctoral researchers from all over the world, and offer support for two years at UK research institutions.

The long-term aim of the scheme is to build a global pool of research leaders and encourage long-term international collaboration with the UK .

The Newton International Fellowships scheme is run by The British Academy and the Royal Society.

The Fellowships cover the broad range of physical, natural and social sciences and the humanities.

They provide grants of £24,000 per annum to cover subsistence and up to £8,000 per annum to cover research expenses, plus a one-off relocation allowance of up to £2,000.

In addition, Newton Fellows may be eligible for follow-up funding of up to £6,000 per annum for up to 10 years following the completion of the Fellowship.

 

The Leverhulme Trust

Philip Leverhulme Prizes

The Prizes commemorate the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of the Founder.

Topics

For the 2011 competition the selected disciplines are:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics;
• Economics;
• Engineering;
• Geography;
• Modern European Languages and Literature;
• Performing and Visual Arts.

The disciplines selected are intentionally broad, and nominations will be considered irrespective of a nominee’s departmental affiliation.

Value

Each Prize has a value of £70,000; use should be made of the award over a two or three year period. Prizes can be used for any purpose which can advance the Prize holder’s research, with the exception of enhancing the Prize holder’s salary.

Deadline: 17 May, 2011

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Visiting Professorships

The objective of these awards is to enable distinguished academics based overseas to spend between three and ten months inclusive at a UK university, primarily in order to enhance the skills of academic staff or the student body within the host institution. It is recognised that Visiting Professors may also wish to use the opportunity to further their own academic interests. The over-riding criteria for selection are first the academic standing and achievements of the visitor in terms of research and teaching, and secondly the ability of the receiving institution to benefit from the imported skills and expertise. Priority will be given to new or recent collaborative ventures.

Value

The sum requested should reflect the individual circumstances of the visitor and the nature and duration of the proposed activities. A maintenance grant up to a level commensurate with the salary of a professor in the relevant field at the receiving institution may be requested. Economy travel costs to and from the UK will also be met. Requests for associated costs, if justified by the programme, may include, for example, travel within the UK , consumables, and essential technical assistance.

Duration

A Visiting Professorship may last for between three and ten months inclusive.

Deadline: 12 May, 2011

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Major Research Fellowships in the Humanities and Social Sciences

These awards enable well-established and distinguished researchers in the disciplines of the Humanities and Social Sciences to devote themselves to a single research project of outstanding originality and significance, capable of completion within two or three years. The award is made to the institution at which the successful Fellow is employed, and takes the form of providing a replacement staff member to cover the period of the Fellowship

Value

The Fellowships fund the salary costs (normally starting at the most junior point of the lecturer scale at the institution concerned) of an individual to undertake the normal duties of the applicant for the duration of the Fellowship.

A Major Research Fellow may be awarded research expenses up to an annual maximum of £5,000. If such funds are required they must be requested in the budget submitted as part of the application procedure.

Duration

The duration of a Fellowship is for two or three years, to start at the beginning of the 2012/13 academic year.

Deadline: 6 May, 2011

 

European Union

International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES)

Marie Curie's International Research Staff Exchange Scheme helps research organisations to set up or strengthen long-term cooperation with others, through a coordinated exchange programme for their staff.

Who can apply?

Public organisations or private bodies with a public mission (e.g. universities, research centres etc) which carry out research can take part in IRSES. Your proposal must include at least two independent participants in at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries PLUS one or more organisations located either in countries with which the EU has an S&T Agreement (a science and technology cooperation agreement) or in countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy.

What does the funding cover?

For each staff member from an EU Member State or Associated Country staying in an eligible Third Country, a fixed monthly allowance to cover mobility costs (including travel costs) will be paid by IRSES.

In exceptional cases, the costs of stays in Europe by staff from certain Third Countries may also be covered.

In all cases, the staff must remain employed by their organisations and are expected to return after the mobility period. Grant Agreements with the Commission are signed for a period of 2-4 years. The maximum duration of the individual staff exchanges will be 12 months.

Which topics can be funded?

Proposals are welcomed from all areas of scientific and technological research that are of interest to the EU with the exception of research areas covered by the EURATOM Treaty.

Who decides?

IRSES proposals are selected in an open competition. Selection is through transparent, independent peer review, based on excellence using a series of predetermined criteria.

Deadline: 17 Mar. 2011

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FP7 ERC advanced investigator grants - social sciences and humanities

Grants are intended to promote substantial advances in the frontiers of knowledge, and to encourage new productive lines of enquiry and new methods and techniques, including unconventional approaches and investigations at the interface between established disciplines. Grants are normally worth up to 2.5 million euros for up to five years; however, an additional 1m euros may be granted.

Website Link

Deadline: 06 Apr. 2011

The Wellcome Trust

Engaging science: arts awards - large projects

The scheme aims to: stimulate interest and debate about biomedical science through the arts; examine the social, cultural and ethical impact of biomedical science; support formal and informal learning; encourage new ways of thinking; encourage interdisciplinary practice and collaborative partnerships in arts, science or education practice. Funding of over £30,000 is available.

Award type Hosting conferences, Directed grants for individual investigators, Directed grants to institutions, research groups etc

Website Link

Deadline:   25 Mar. 2011

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Arts awards - small to medium sized projects

These support imaginative and experimental arts projects that investigate biomedical science. Up to £30,000 is available for up to three years.

Award type Hosting conferences, Directed grants for individual investigators, Directed grants to institutions, research groups etc, Networking/collaboration

Website Link

Deadline:   28 Apr. 2011

 

Daiwa Foundation Awards

Awards of £7,000-£15,000 are available for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together, preferably in the context of an institutional relationship.

What kind of project is eligible?

Daiwa Foundation Awards can cover projects in most academic, professional, arts, cultural and educational fields. Awards seek to encourage the development and sustainability of UK-Japan partnerships between such organisations as museums and art galleries, theatres and performing arts groups, schools and universities, and grassroots and professional bodies. Any project which involves a significant level of collaboration between British and Japanese partners can be considered.

Support for scientific collaborations is separately provided through The Royal Society-Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Joint Project Grants scheme.

What kind of project is not eligible?

Daiwa Foundation Awards cannot be used for:

• any project that does not involve both a British and a Japanese partner
• any project in the field of science
• general appeals
• capital expenditure (eg, building refurbishment, equipment acquisition, etc)
• salary costs or professional fees
• commissions for works of art
• retrospective grants
• replacement of statutory funding
• commercial activities

There are two application deadlines each year, 31 March (for a decision by 31 May) and 30 September (for a decision by 30 November). However, the Foundation encourages applicants to submit their application as early as possible.