Leverhulme Centenary Research Centres 2027
The Leverhulme Centenary Research Centres 2027 call will open in February 2027 with an Outline deadline in June 2027. The Leverhulme Trust have confirmed that they do not intend to put in place any disciplinary restrictions so, to give the selected bid ample time to develop a strong application, the University will run our internal selection process over the coming months. The ‘Where to pitch your big idea?’ session, held in April, included a focus on the Leverhulme Research Centre scheme and we would urge applicants who were unable to attend to review the event slides and recording (focus on Leverhulme Research Centres from 11:55 – 30:10).
Scheme Information
- The University of Glasgow is permitted to lead ONE application. This means we are putting in place demand management.
- While we anticipate being able to partner on multiple submissions to the scheme, the specific rules around this are not yet known, and a process may need to be initiated when the scheme opens in February 2027.
- In the past, Leverhulme Research Centres have required significant in-kind contributions from the Schools and Colleges involved in the bid. Both Lead Applicants and those intending to Co-Lead on a bid submitted by another institution should use the ‘2027 Leverhulme Centres Financial Briefing’ to better understand in-kind contribution drivers and to support discussions with external partners.
University of Glasgow Selection Process and Timings
We are using a three-stage process, with all stages being mandatory. This approach is designed to:
- Ensure fair and equitable access to research support for all applicants.
- Provide feedback on proposals, identify opportunities for collaboration, and connect applicants with relevant expertise from across the University.
- Enable Schools and Colleges to maintain strategic oversight of applications.
As part of this process:
- A Statement of Support will be coordinated by College Research Offices and submitted alongside the Internal Application Form to demonstrate that the selected proposal has the necessary strategic and financial support.
- An Institutional Selection Panel, chaired by Chris Pearce and including representation from each College, will review applications and select the proposal that will be submitted to the Leverhulme Trust.
- The selected proposal will then be provided with further research and bid development support in preparation for the Leverhulme Trust deadline in June 2027.
- By making a final institutional decision by early February, applicants who are not selected will have sufficient time to explore opportunities to join proposals led by other institutions.
In-kind commitments are also likely to be required for proposals on which the University is a partner. To ensure that Schools and Colleges are aware of any potential commitments, please complete this Notice of Intent for any applications you intend to partner on by Wednesday, 31 March 2027: LEVERHULME RESEARCH CENTRES 2027 - NOTICE OF INTENT UofG Co-Lead – Fill in form
Key Dates:
| Action | Deadline (all times UK) |
|---|---|
| Process announcement circulated to College Research Offices | Tuesday, 11 August 2026 |
| Applicants submit short EoI via MS Forms | 4pm on Thursday, 08 October 2026 |
| Online pitching and feedback session | Anticipated for week beginning 26th October 2026 |
| Applicants submit internal application forms (MS Word doc) | 4pm on Thursday, 03 December 2026 |
| Institutional panel to select UofG-led application | Week beginning 25th January 2027 |
| Applicants informed of decision | Friday, 05 February 2027 |
| Scheme opens | February 2027 |
| Outline proposal deadline | June 2027 |
Notice of Intent to Partner Form
LEVERHULME RESEARCH CENTRES 2027 - NOTICE OF INTENT UofG Co-Lead – Fill in form
Stage 2: Expression of Interest (EoI) Form
LEVERHULME RESEARCH CENTRES 2027 - UofG lead – Fill in form
Stage 3: Internal Application Forms
2027 Leverhulme Centres Internal Application Form
2027 Leverhulme Centres Statement of Support Form
STAGE ONE: MANDATORY DISCUSSION WITH COLLEGE RESEARCH OFFICE
Our internal demand management process will not include a College-level sift, however Colleges may have specific expectations and priorities. It is therefore vital that prospective applicants contact their College Research Office for preliminary advice before developing an application.
- CoAH: Jen Barrett, Jen.Barrett@glasgow.ac.uk
- CoSE: Suzannah Turner, Suzannah.Turner@glasgow.ac.uk
- CoSS: Mary Margaret McRae, MaryMargaret.McRae@glasgow.ac.uk
- MVLS: Sofia Apollonov, Sofia.Apollonov@glasgow.ac.uk
STAGE TWO: MANDATORY EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Following discussions with their College Research Office, interested Lead Applicants are required to submit a preliminary expression of interest:
- EOI Form link: LEVERHULME RESEARCH CENTRES 2027 - UofG lead – Fill in form. This expression of interest will be used to gauge interest in this opportunity and will not be assessed, however you will not be able to proceed further in the internal process without completing it.
- EOI Deadline: 4pm (UK time) on Thursday, 08 October 2026
- Submitted EOIs will be invited to a two-hour online pitching and feedback session likely to be scheduled for the week beginning 26th October 2026. This is optional but recommended. Applicants can nominate a deputy/team member to attend in their stead. This session is an opportunity to present ideas in development. This will not contribute to the final selection process.
STAGE THREE: MANDATORY INTERNAL APPLICATION
The internal application includes two forms, an Internal Application Form and a Statement of Support.
- Lead Applicants should complete the 2027 Leverhulme Centres Internal Application Form
- College Research Offices will support completion of the 2027 Leverhulme Centres Statement of Support Form including coordinating approvals from the relevant Schools and Colleges.
- The Lead Applicant must send both completed forms in one email to researchinitiatives@glasgow.ac.uk.
- Internal Application Deadline: 4pm (UK time) on Thursday, 03 December 2026.
- The completed forms will be considered by an institutional selection panel who will be responsible for selecting the final UofG bid.
- The outcome will be shared with applicants by 5th February 2027
Use of AI in Application Development
Applications submitted to internal demand management and quality management processes at the University of Glasgow are expected to comply with the University of Glasgow's Generative AI Guidance for Researchers and the Funders joint statement: use of generative AI tools in funding applications and assessment.
All applicants should review these documents and are responsible for ensuring any application they submit complies with the guidance and parameters provided. Key points we would like to highlight from these resources include:
- Any use of generative AI tools must be accompanied by critical analysis and oversight on the part of the user
- Work that is not your own effort or is without appropriately transparent acknowledgement of sources or tools used (e.g. work submitted that is the product of Generative AI) does not meet crucial requirements for assessment or academic/research integrity
- Applicants must not use generative AI tools to generate an entire application, or sections of an application, without human involvement
- Reviewers must not input our confidential funding applications into generative AI tools to develop their reviews