Events and Initiatives
We collaborate with colleagues across the University of Glasgow to curate a programme of creative research initiatives that transcend College boundaries and proactively support the development of a broad range of ambitious and innovative proposals, from targeted fellowships to international consortia tackling broad societal challenges. Our events are available only for UofG staff or, in limited instances, to those applying for awards to bring them to UofG.
Our Core Offer
Mastering the Key 15
Research grant applications are structured pieces of writing that aim to persuade grant panellists that your project idea – it’s vision, deliverability, and people – are nothing less than flawless. Whilst LLM tools can be used to shortcut document structuring, they cannot replace the reflection on research project conceptualisation that only the researcher can do. This workshop offers a hands-on introduction to The Key 15 approach to grant writing, a proven framework designed to help researchers critically appraise their research project structure as they write, enabling them to not only craft proposals that work to capture grant reviewers’ attention, but also to form coherent, deliverable projects.
Funding Call Information Sessions
We coordinate information sessions to provide the UofG research community with information on thematic and strategic funding opportunities. These sessions are designed to help researchers decide if a particular call might be right for them, gain feedback on project concepts and learn about any support available for bid development.
Research Development Community of Practice
We coordinate the University of Glasgow Research Development Community of Practice. This CoP provides a peer support environment for sharing insights, information and experience across our research professional community. Combining a Teams channel for queries that pop up daily and in-person sessions focussed on targeted topics of interest, the CoP offers colleagues different pathways for support and developing their knowledge base.
Specialised Support for Fellowship Development
Ignite
Our team works closely with the Fellowships Development Team to deliver the Ignite programme, a structured development programme designed to support researchers to develop and draft fellowship applications.
Future Leaders Fellowships
In addition to coordinating the demand-management process for Future Leader Fellowship candidates, we provide bespoke support to our selected candidates.
European Research Council
In collaboration with the Overseas Team and College Research Support Offices, we deliver a programme of support for researchers interested in ERC Starter, Consolidated and Advanced Grants.
Past Events
September 9, 2026: ERC Starting Grant - Developing Your CV and Track Record
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 9 from 10 AM - 11:30 AM GMT+1
Description: The CV and Track Record sections of the ERC Starting Grant application provide a vital opportunity to demonstrate your potential as an independent researcher and future research leader. This interactive workshop will help prospective applicants understand what the ERC is looking for and develop a strategic approach to presenting their achievements and career progression. Through a combination of guidance, discussion, and active learning activities, you will explore the ERC's expectations around excellence, independence, and leadership potential. You will have structured time to map out and reflect on individual achievements, identify key evidence for inclusion, and begin shaping a coherent narrative that showcases you strengths and readiness for an ERC Starting Grant.
Note: Registration for this event is limited to UofG ERC applicants who registered their interest in research development support for their application before August 5th.
September 8, 2026: NERC RESET Collaboration Workshop
Date/Time: Tuesday, September 8 from 10 AM - 12:30 PM
Description: This session explores the NERC-Defra co-funded Resilient Economy and Security through Ecosystem Transitions (RESET) programme and potential collaborations at the University. During the session, we will provide an overview of the NERC RESET programme and recent updates to NERC's curiosity-driven portfolio, as well as invite those to engage in collaborative networking around the current NERC RESET strategic funding opportunity. This event will allow our NERC-remit colleagues to explore project ideas, spark connections and surface new cross-College connections through a facilitated workshop centred around this collaboration-intensive call. Join us as we explore connections across skills, knowledges, experiences and networks as we dive into all things NERC RESET.
Note: Registration for this event is limited to University of Glasgow staff only.
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerc-reset-collaboration-workshop-tickets-1998533950846
September 3, 2026: Good Practice in Supporting Grant Interview Preparation
Date/Time: Thursday, September 3 from 1:30 PM - 3 PM
Description: Exploring good practice guidance for those of us supporting researchers to prepare for funder interviews. Over the past few months we have been developing good practice guidance for those of us supporting researchers to prepare for funder interviews. From epic diary wrangling to debriefing and identifying where additional support might be useful, mock interviews require a wide range of operational and conceptual input. In this companion session, we will hear from academic colleagues, about what they found helpful and/or surprising about the process of preparing for an interview, as well as top tips from recent mock interview organisers. Join us to share your learning, ask questions, and find out what has worked well (or less well) for colleagues across the institution.
Note: Registration for this event is limited to members of the University of Glasgow Research Development Community of Practice
August 20, 2026: ERC Starting Grant - Mastering the Key 15
Date/Time: Thursday, August 20th from 9:30am-11:30am (UK time)
Description: A fun, informative and hands-on introduction to The Key 15 approach to grant writing to help to shape your next ERC StG application.
Note: Registration for this event is limited to UofG ERC applicants who registered their interest in research development support for their application before August 5th.
August 17, 2026: ERC Standard Grant 2026 at UofG: Framing for ERC
Date/Time: Monday, August 17 • 12 PM - 1 PM GMT+1
Description: This session on “Framing your proposal for the ERC” is aimed at those planning to apply for the ERC Starting Grant this October 2026. In this brief, one hour session, the EU and Strategic Research Initiatives teams will guide participants through an opportunity to frame their ERC idea for a small selection of other equivalent funding opportunities, in order to better stress test the core logic of their ‘Why ERC?’ argument. Come along for a quick-fire chance to look at your proposal from a different perspective and make sure that those ERC reviewers don’t doubt for a minute that your idea has come to the right funder!
Note: Registration for this event is limited to UofG ERC applicants who registered their interest in research development support for their application before August 5th.