Internal Research Funding

RETF

The University's Research Endowment Trust Fund (RETF) funding to support the development of promising and ambitious research ideas and emerging initiatives in the University. The Fund is managed by the University Committee for Research & Innovation and allocates money through 3 main schemes.

Applications forms can be found under the relevant sections below when the call opens. Queries should be directed to the Research Deans Office.

University Research Fellowships: Annual call for fellowships to support researchers in arts, humanities and social sciences. They are 1 year in duration and provide £10,000 to cover teaching replacement costs and research expenses.

Open Fund: 1 to 2 calls per year to support projects between £10,000 and £50,000 for up to 2 years.

Strategic funding: For strategically important projects and emerging opportunities for the research theme. Research Deans should be contacted for further information.

Research Travel Grants

Grants are available to assist with the cost of presenting a paper or poster at external conferences and seminars. All academic staff below professorial level zone 2, and all other members of research staff and PhD students whose funding does not cover conference travel are eligible to apply. How to apply (password protected).

Research Infrastructure Fund

Every year, the University makes funding available for research infrastructure that will have a transformative impact on research capability and quality within a defined area of existing or potential research excellence. The fund considers investments of £250,000 or more in the sciences, and £50,000 or more in arts, humanities and social sciences.

An annual call is issued by the University Committee on Research Infrastructure in the late autumn.

NIRD Funding

The National Institute for Research into Dairying (NIRD) Trust Fund is providing approximately £2million per annum until 2024/25 to support research into agriculture and food. This funding will be disbursed as part of existing University funding competitions (e.g. RETF Open Call, Annual Research Infrastructure Fund call), where applications are within the NIRD Fund remit and are of sufficient quality. Alternatively, proposals that have the potential to confer significant strategic gains at national or global level may be submitted direct to the NIRD Trust Steering Group via the Head of School. Further details here.

Health Innovation Partnership (HIP)

There will be opportunities for collaborative funding arising from the Health Innovation Partnership. Please check the HIP website for the latest information.

Studentship schemes

Details of a variety of studentship competitions can be found on the Graduate School website.

Other internal funding

There are potentially other internal funding opportunities depending on external allocations and details will be posted on this page when relevant.

Previously these have included:

• Research England: In previous years, we have been allocated Research England funding in specific areas, including Policy Support and Participatory Research.
• Impact Development funds
• HEIF proof of concept projects.