Academic research funding
Securing academic research funding is competitive but crucial.
- Academic research funding
- Beyond academia: options for researchers
Securing academic research funding
Academic research funding may be competitive to attain but it’s not impossible.
Read our guidance all about finding funding for your research.
Academic research funding
The ability to generate funding is highly regarded within academia and outside of it. Securing funding will be crucial to establishing and maintaining an academic career.
Sources of research funding
There are many ways to find funding. Below are some examples but note that this is not an exhaustive list, only a starting point.
Your institution, industry and LinkedIn are also valuable places to ask about and find research funding.
UK Government Funding
In the UK, public money is allocated to academic research by seven UK Research Councils.
Other UK government departments and agencies may offer research funding for projects connected to the scope of the department.
Global resources
Europe resources
Learned and professional societies
Charities and trusts
USA
How to write a research proposal
- Keep your research proposal focused: tailor your proposed research to the funding body’s area of interest. If you are submitting a proposal response in a call for submissions, it needs to address the challenge and fit the remit.
- Be persuasive: have a gripping story and grab the reviewers’ attention.
- Formulate a strong hypothesis: so that your proposal is seen as credible. Potentially evaluate other hypotheses against your chosen one.
- Fine tune the details: to convince your reviewers that you are an expert in your field and that you have thoroughly thought through your proposal.
- Be clear about the methodology you will use.
- Be informed in your field: about the research area, literature, funding sources, competition, potential panel members, references.
- Be realistic: in terms of the scope of your proposed work, findings and costings – who can help you put together a realistic budget?
- Demonstrate your planning skills: use charts, diagrams or other systems to visually demonstrate how you have planned your research proposal.
- Including preliminary data can show you have the technical ability and technology to generate and interpret the data required and your proposed approach (this may not be applicable to all research areas).
- Edit constantly: there must be no spelling or grammatical errors as this can generate doubt on your competencies.
- Ask colleagues for feedback
- Attend a course on applying for grant funding – many universities run these.
- Give yourself plenty of time – don’t be late to a proposal deadline! This will not give a good impression. There may also be a peer review process internally to improve your application using the expertise of experienced staff.
- Follow any guidelines specified to the letter.
Things to takeaway
- The ability to generate funding is highly regarded within academia and outside of it. Securing funding will be crucial to establishing and maintaining an academic career.
- Keep your research proposal focused: tailor your proposed research to the funding body’s area of interest.
- Many researchers who have moved into non-research roles find that they can use their skills and innovative thinking to enhance their roles and generate meaningful impact.