Researcher Development

Researcher led innovation fund

This fund, managed by the Researcher Development Unit (RDU) is available for specific projects/activities/events initiated by research staff and students for the benefit of groups of researchers within the university. The fund allows researchers themselves to have a greater input into the ways they are supported and developed and to complement the training and development opportunities provided centrally by the RDU.

Researchers should think creatively about initiatives that could be funded, and how they might enhance the research, personal development and career opportunities of themselves and others.

There are three themes:

  • Training – projects, activities and events that develop generic skills of groups of researchers
  • Innovation - projects, activities and events that improve the research environment within a group, department, faculty or the University
  • Knowledge Transfer - projects, activities and events that further the knowledge transfer of research to interested parties outside of academia e.g. mentoring, visits to industrial partners, enagaging with policy makers

Please note that applications to fund academic conference fees/attendance will not be considered.

Dates for funding in 2012/13

Date Theme Max. award per project Total funding available
       

All rounds for funding in the academic year 2012/13 have now closed. Details of future rounds will be published in Sepmtember 2013.

Guidelines for applications

Applications are invited from all researchers at the University of Bath for funding to support short-term, well-defined projects. The following guidelines for applications are provided:

  • The maximum total amount available to any one submission is £1,000 for Training and Innovation, and £2,000 for Knowledge Transfer.
  • Projects that meet any of the following criteria will be looked upon more favourably:
  • Projects receiving match-funding
  • Communication with the public/non specialists or knowledge transfer
  • Multidisciplinary work
  • Enhancing entrepreneurial/enterprise/business skills
  • The proposed activity must be of direct benefit to researchers at Bath and address local needs where appropriate
  • The activity should not duplicate events that are organised centrally e.g. via the Researcher Development Unit, RDSO, Careers Advisory Service, SORTED
  • The funding should only be used for the benefit of groups of researchers, with the exception of mentoring, which may benefit individuals only
  • The fund should not be used for direct financial assistance to individuals
  • We encourage the development of innovative, creative and non-standard approaches to skills development
  • An application form [MS Word, 50KB] should be completed for each request for funding
  • If you wish to seek advice on your draft application please contact Dr Tracey Stead or Dr Jeanette Müller
  • The funding request should be endorsed by the Head of School/Department or Associate Dean for Research or Graduate Studies.
     

Application form requirements

The application form [MS Word, 50KB] requires you to include the following information:

  • The names and contact details of the individual(s) responsible for the event or activity
  • A brief description of the event or activity propose
  • The main aims and objectives of the activity
  • The desired outcomes, and how they will be evaluated
  • Its relevance to the target audience/group and the numbers in that group
  • An outline of the timescales involved
  • Breakdown of expenditure
  • Endorsement by the Head of School/Department or Associate Dean for Research or Graduate Studies.

Process for assessing applications for funding

  • Applications for funding will be considered in line with the dates for funding schedule
  • Applications will be reviewed by the Researcher Development Unit and two further reviewers that may include: members of academic staff, other central services, industrial partners
  • Decision will be made to fund/not to fund/to ask for more specific information, based on the following criteria;
  • Impact and innovation.
  • A clear focus to the activity proposed with specified outcomes
  • The direct benefit to groups of researchers
  • The extent to which proposals address clearly defined local needs and allow for the development of specific approaches and themes that are appropriate to the target audience.
  • The approach to evaluation and (where appropriate) dissemination of outcomes.
  • Value for money

Outcome of your application for funding

  • The decision will be communicated directly to the named applicant within 6 weeks (normally less) of the application deadline.
  • Successful applicants will be required to submit a short evaluation report within one month of completion of the initiative.  It should be no longer than two pages, preferably online, and should include:
  • Background to, and brief description of, the initiative
  • Dates/venue where appropriate
  • Who benefitted from the initiative
  • A summary of the outcomes
  • Any long term impact of the initiative
  • The University Research Student Committee and Research Staff Working Group will receive update reports on fund allocations.
  • Unsuccessful applications may be re-submitted, taking account of any feedback.

Examples of the types of activity which might be funded

  • Entrepreneurial/enterprising projects
  • Collaborations with external partners
  • Developing new applications of your research
  • New links with industrial partners, policy makers, charities etc.
  • Mentoring schemes
  • Development of novel seminar(s)/conference programmes
  • Networking events
  • Development of specific local provision for researchers, e.g. provision of web-based resources
  • A training course, workshop or e-learning resource designed to meet an identified need.
  • Outreach activities, for example, with schools or the general public

Researcher Development Unit
August 2011

 

 
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