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Important notice: Changes to Research Council funding schemes

Due to the recent decision by the government to cut the research capital budget, and to a lesser extent, the research resource budget, several RCUK bodies have announced important changes that affect researchers at Goldsmiths.

Justin Davin-Smith from the Research Office explains some of the changes to Research Council funding schemes:

Each of the Research Councils have produced a Delivery Plan to explain their strategy in light of these changes to the budget. I have outlined the key points (and most relevant) below, but have also given the links to each delivery plan should you wish to read about their strategies in more depth.

ESRC

The ESRC has announced some changes to current funding schemes in its Delivery Plan 2011 - 2015. Key changes for potential applicants to note are:

  • Termination of existing small grants, postdoctoral fellowships and mid career development fellowships schemes on 1 February 2011. All applications received by the Schemes closing date will be processed.
  • The increased lower threshold for standard grants to £200,000 from spring 2011. Applications for standard grants up to £200,000 will be accepted until 1 February 2011.
  • The introduction of a new Future Leaders Scheme for early career researchers in spring 2011.

AHRC

The AHRC’s new thematic programmes – Digital Transformations, Translating Cultures, Care for the Future and Science in Culture, as well as the Connected Communities programme delivered in collaboration with other Research Councils – will receive enhanced support.

They reflect the ways in which modern research is changing with the impact of new technologies, the rise of cross-disciplinary work, the increase in international and multi-agency funding, and the growing interaction between HEIs, non-academic partners and the general public. The programmes will develop interdisciplinary research, cross-institutional partnerships and engagement between with private, public and voluntary sector organisations that use this research.

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.

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 will be communicated through the Je-S helpdesk.

In addition, there may be some delay in processing applications after 1 March while transfer to the new system takes place. Any post-award amendment requests received after 28 January will be held until after 1 April. Deadlines for issuing and returning final reports and final expenditure statements which are due between 1 Feb and 31 March may also be extended.

EPSRC

The EPSRC annual programme spend decreases in real terms by 2014/2015. Changes include:

  • Maintaining funding for high priority research at the expense of the breadth and volume of research.
  • Stopping support for project studentships on research grants
  • Stopping support for dedicated public engagement activity earlier than intended.

Research Council Delivery Plans can be accessed through the following links: