We’re excited to launch a new round of Enhancing Research Culture funding, open to all members of our university community, including researchers and academics, technicians, professional services staff, and doctoral students*.
This funding supports projects that help make our Research Culture aims a reality. Whether you have an idea for a local intervention or a university-wide initiative, we want to hear from you.
Projects should align with the ‘Aims’ set out under any one of the pillars of our Research Culture Strategy:
- Career development
- Research recognition
- Collegiality
- Research design
- Open research
- Research ethics & integrity
The deadline to submit your application form is 5pm 28 November 2025. Awards will be issued on week commencing 15 December, and projects must be delivered with all funds spent by 31 July 2026.
A total of £55-60k is available, and applicants may request up to £15k for each project. Applications from individuals funded for two consecutive years from this fund are unlikely to be funded for a third, unless there is substantial evidence of the potential for heightened impact and strong assurances against criteria 4 below.
Applications will be assessed against four key criteria:
- Strategic alignment – a clear contribution to the aims of the Research Culture strategy
- Quality of plan – a well-considered plan with appropriate team members and stakeholder engagement
- Potential for impact – clear anticipated benefits and a plan for evaluating success against the objectives
- Longevity - a clear approach to sustaining, embedding or scaling the activity or its outcomes beyond the funding period
Need help developing your idea?
Informal advice sessions are available - book a short meeting with the Research Culture team or visit our drop-in session (no booking required) on;
- Tuesday 11 November, 1 – 2 pm, East Building 3rd floor mezzanine
- Monday 17th November, 3.30 - 4.30 pm, Wessex House staff hub
Apply now!
Let’s work together to build a research culture that supports everyone to thrive.
*Doctoral student applicants must have the support of a staff member who is willing to manage budgets and ensure oversight of adherence to university processes and procedures.