New Initiatives Fund 2012/13

Applications have now closed for the 2012/13 New Initiatives Fund.  Further information will be available here in September 2013 on application dates for the next academic year.

Each year the University sets aside funding to support the personal, professional and career development of its early-career researchers.  For 2012/13, £5k was made available for activity planned and managed by researchers (PGRs and postdoctoral research staff). This could be anything from a careers or public engagement event to an industry visit or even launching your own journal.  The main proviso with this funding is that we can't fund something directly related to your research (e.g. conferences or technical training).  It is anticipated that most bids will be for activity that benefits groups of researchers from more than one College. 

Call for applications relating to knowledge exchange and research impact

This year, we have seen an increase in applications for funding to carry out knowledge exchange and public engagement activity. To support this, we are piloting a one-off call for applications of this nature, with a closing date of 14 April.  This fund is to encourage the exchange of knowledge, people and expertise between users of research and academia, in order to support creation of impact from Glasgow research. Funding of up to £1000 is available for knowledge-exchange projects led by early-career researchers (i.e. PGR or research staff), relating to their area of research, which will help to enhance its impact. Applications from groups of researchers are encouraged.  Funding is also available for research students and postdoctoral research staff to undertake secondments to a non-academic organisation lasting between one week and up to three months.  The aim of these secondments is to help create opportunities for Glasgow’s research to have cultural, economic or social benefit.  Examples of this include placements which:

• Create new research collaborations and a better understanding of working practices between academic or non-academic partners. 
• Allow new technologies or processes to be used in industry
• Provide opportunities for research to feed into policy or practice
• Help to embed an awareness and understanding of the impact agenda within the researcher community and allow researchers to develop skills in this area

Applications will be ranked on the following:
• Ambition and scale:  Applications from groups of researchers are encouraged and the committee will consider whether whether the proposed initiative links into larger networks (either within the university or externally) and whether it provides knowledge exchange experience for a larger group of researchers, rather than a single individual.
• Intention for two-way engagement with the public in research projects, rather than simple one-way dissemination.   

Awardees will be required to take part in a follow-up event and evaluation, to share what impact this initiative has had on the organisation they have worked with or on their own research (or that of their research group, centre, School etc.). Evaluation will include consideration of follow-up activities as well as new networks which have been established as a result of this activity. 

How to apply:
1.  Make sure that your bid clearly demonstrates how it is of career development benefit to researchers or how it will help to create cultural, economic or social impact from research being undertaken at the University of Glasgow.  Write in clear English, avoiding technical or subject-specific language.
2.  Have a look at projects that have been funded in the past
3.  Get in touch to discuss your idea with Elizabeth Adams, prior to submission. 
4.  Complete the New initiatives application form 

How decisions are made:
Decisions are made by the Researcher Development Committee which is made up of representatives from across the university, including the four colleges, the careers service, PGR office and the Learning and Teaching Centre.  It is chaired by Professor Steve Beaumont, Vice Principal, Research and Enteprise. 

You will hear a response within one week of the meeting date.

If you receive funding:
A member of University staff should be appointed as the budget holder.
Download our Guide to organising events to help you with planning your event.
You will be required to submit a short evaluation report, one month after your event.  We will provide you with a template for this.