1. Using Technology to Find Funding Opportunities Dr John Burden Research Support Services

2. Why use technology to find funding? Success in getting research funding is always a bit of a lottery You can make success more likely though Giving yourself time to write the proposal properly is Rule #1 Match research to funder Using technology to get advance warning of funding schemes and deadlines will play a big part in getting enough time Get information about funder and scheme specifications It will also let you find funding outside the mainstream

3. Finding Funding Research Fortnight Register via front page of Research Support Services website Regular email of funding opportunities Custom search Small/Obscure funders (ECR) Major Funders Sign up for electronic updates Advance notice of deadlines Advance notice of non-standard calls

4. Finding Funding Research Support Services Manage funding applications for University Help with identifying funding & proposal development Experience of working with funders – what do they want? RSS staff in every department TALK TO US EARLY!

5. Sources of Funding Research Councils Largest funders of research in the UK. Each has own area of research but there are also cross-council themes AHRC Arts & Humanities BBSRC Non-clinical life sciences, exploitation of biological systems EPSRCEngineering, Physical Sciences, Maths ESRCSocial Sciences MRC Improving human health, clinical/non-clinical science, translation into practice NERC Understanding natural world STFCAstronomy & Particle Physics

6. European Union Funding European Funding EU Framework Programme 7 (FP7) funds research to support a “dynamic, competitive, knowledge based economy” in the European Union Research needs “European Added Value” – transnationality 4 themes, each with many different calls for funding throughout the year Cooperation – Collaborative research across Europe Ideas – Researcher led proposals judged by scientific excellence (ERC) People – Research mobility & development “Marie-Curie” Capacities – Research infrastructure Complicated – get plenty of advice – UKRO Training and West Midlands European Service

7. Charities & Foundations Royal SocietyPersonal Fellowships, Innovation schemes, Infrastructure & mobility. Very competitive (<10%). Leverhulme TrustGrants & Fellowships, Research & Travel, very prestigious/competitive British AcademyArts & Humanities, Social Sciences Wellcome Trust Major funder of biomedical research, all aspects of biomedical science, clinical & non-clinical, range of awards for all career stages + history of medicine Other CharitiesMany charities fund research – specific, problem solving, partial funding Industry Sponsored Fellowships – AXA, BUPA, Toshiba, Novo Nordisk etc

8. Public Sector funding Direct funding for research from Government departments Risk averse, fast return, problem solving Under pressure in current climate National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funds NHS & Social care research Improving patient care within a short time of completion.

9. Writing a successful proposal Allow sufficient time – Rushed proposals show Funder Documentation – Read guidelines and rules and stick to them Match to funder mission & strategic priorities Well written, detailed & clear Use input from others – Academics, Fellows, Peers, RSS, non-specialists Excellent research, value for money, high impact, well presented General Guidelines