The purpose of this page is to provide some starting points in a research funding search and also to provide up to date information on new schemes and changes to existing ones.
How the grant application process works in King's College
A Proposal Form for a particular grant or funding scheme can usually be down-loaded directly from the website of the relevant organization. This is the case for most of the organizations presented on this webpage, just click on the links provided.
Before submitting your completed proposal the following steps need to be adhered to:
[1] The Head of Department will need to see and approve your Application.
[2] A Research
Grant/Contract Authorisation Form (RG1) is completed by you and
then forwarded
along with the proposal to The Head of School, or their representative,
to be countersigned.
[3] These documents are then sent to KCL Enterprises (click on KCL link below), who check and complete the costing of the project, in accordance with the rules of the sponsor and College's indirect cost recovery policy.
Examples of Grant Applications: Some members of department with experience in preparing grant proposals have kindly agreed to include here copies of their proposals. [If you would be prepared to include an application of your own here, please advise] :
[1] Ton Coolen : Responsive Mode EPSRC Research Proposal
More shortly !
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KCL enterprises offer guidance and support on the research funding
process. All grant applications from the department go to them for validation.
They are responsible for handling all financial,
administrative, legal aspects of external research funding in the College.
In the section Research Support, one can find information on various matters including funding databases, grant writing resources, "full economic costing" as well as legalese and contact points. Also the RG1 Form is available there. |
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Central Research Fund |
Postgrad Research Funding: Scholarships Office, University of
London, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU.
Grants to assist research projects with incidental expenses, including travel costs; more information in some pdf documents there. Closing dates: October 10, 2005 and March 27, 2006. |
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Various possibilities for scholarships |
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There is a certain amount of funding available for research activities,
such as conference participation, research visitors in the absence of external
funding.
PhD students receive support to travel to conferences, workshops etc and research visits. Mathematics PhD Grant for Research: Ray Streater has secured funds for a scholarship to be awarded to the PhD student who shows most promise in research; we can award up to £ 2000 per year, for up to three years. More details from Ray. |
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Small grants for mathematical visitors. Information: Wilfrid Hodges at QMW. |
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EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
There is a general EPSRC Funding Guide with details of the various schemes and large .doc and .pdf files, a page summarising their Funding Opportunities, and also special pages devoted to their Mathematical Sciences Programme and their Physics Programme.
Calls for proposals (old and new).
Here is a page with all Application Forms, and there is also a useful series of pdf-files
containing
tips on writing proposals, mock panel guidance notes, and similar.
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The majority of research funding by ESPRC is through
Responsive
Mode research grant proposals, which may include funds for PhDs or
Postdocs. Applications submitted electronically or on paper, they are then
forwarded to at least four referees as part
of peer
review assessment.
Innovative proposals + strong support from referees is crucial: you are advised to seek advice from other members of the department with experience of these applications. See Example Responsive Mode proposal. |
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Senior
Research Fellowships for up to 5 years allow full time research.
Closing Date: 10 November 2005.
Springboard Fellowships for tenured researchers; cover replacement salaries (to enable applicants to be released from teaching and other duties), travel and subsistence, etc for periods of between 6 and 12 months; no age limit; Closing Date: 17 September 2004. Advanced Research Fellowships for up to 5 years for postdocs who have between 3 and 10 years experience. Closing Date: 10 November 2005. Hodge Fellowships two fellowships each year to spend 12 months at the IHES. |
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Fellowships |
There are up to 10 Postdoctoral Fellowships each year, in Mathematical Sciences and in Theoretical Physics. Highly competitive.
Closing Date: 18 October 2005 Also the EPSRC supports the European Post-Doctoral Institute via the IHES Next call for applications: Autumn 2004 An alternative way of obtaining funding for a postdoc position is as a Research Assistant on a research project, see above. There is no restriction on nationality and the RA does not have to be named in the proposal. |
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Support (salary costs and travel subsistence) for scientists of acknowledged standing, either from within the UK or abroad, to visit the investigator's organisation. Funding is limited to 12 months per individual; applications must be made by the host organisation in the UK. |
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Up to £20,000 for travel and subsistence, in order to visit recognised centres abroad to study new techniques or to develop collaborations. Proposals must be made at least 12 weeks before the proposed visit. |
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for new lecturers |
Up to £120,000 for investigators submitting their first EPSRC grant
application (as principal investigator).
Eligibility: Applicant must have been appointed to a lecturing appointment within the last 24 months, and normally be within ten years of completing their PhD. One attempt only, but resubmission for consideration as standard research proposal is possible. |
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Mainly managed via Doctoral Training Accounts awarded to the Department. To be eligible for full funding, students must "demonstrate a relevant connection with the UK, usually through residence". The August 2003 edition (which seems to be the latest one) of the DTA-FQAs states that EU citizens are eligible for fees-only awards, non-EU students are not eligible unless they have a "relevant connection to an EU country". See also DTA Information for recent changes. |
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New scheme for international students from India, China, Hong Kong, Russia and the developing world wishing to study in the UK
(a list of eligible countries is available
here).
However, only two PhD awards have been allocated to KCL
(via EPSRC and MRC). The whole scheme is administered by EPSRC.
For further information, see also the Dorothy Hodgkin PPARC page and the Research Councils UK press release. |
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Funding for Masters training funding is provided through Collaborative Training Accounts. No funds are allocated to students directly. |
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Funding for workshops to stimulate research or for training postgraduates. |
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To fund new (e.g. interdisciplinary) research topics and research communities. The network should be based in the UK but can collaborate with others outside the UK. Up to £60k for up to three years of support is available for each network. Network proposals may be submitteed at any point during the year. |
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Applications can only be submitted online on the Royal Society's new electronic Grant Application and Processing (e-GAP) system at https://e-gap.royalsoc.ac.uk; here is
further information about e-GAP.
The website in particular contains a brief overview of
Royal Society Funding,
and a more comprehensive
list of funding schemes
of search-engine type.
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Research project grants:
Up to £15,000, for up to 12 months,
to support research projects of `timeliness and promise’ for scientists at an
early stage of their career or established scientists whishing to change the direction
of their research; some additional eligibility criteria.
Closing dates: 1 November 2005 and 4 April 2006. |
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University Research Fellowships:
Approx 30 fellowships per year. Eligibility: PhD with min two and max seven years' postdoc time by 01-10-06. Length of Tenure: 5 -10 years. Closing date: 11 January 2006. Research Professorships: Long-term support for world class scientists, allowing them to focus on research, roughly until aged 55; 2 awards per year; closing date for 2006 competition to be confirmed. Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowships: These appointments enable academics to concentrate on full-time research, by providing the salary costs of a replacement employed to take over the fellow's teaching and administrative duties. Duration: between one academic term and one year. 7 awards per year. Value: up to £24,820 annual salary plus research expenses up to £2,500. Closing Date: 14 December 2005. Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships: Postdocs targeted at young scientists for whom career flexibility is essential. Allowed on a part-time basis to help match work and family commitments. Approx 10 fellowships available each year. Eligibility: Max. 4 years' postdoc by 01/10/06, submitted PhD by 01/10/06, plus other criteria. Length of Tenure: 4 years guaranteed. Closing date: 8 February 2006. UK Relocation Fellowships: Scheme to help researchers in the UK who wish to move to follow a partner who has changed place of work and moved a significant distance within the UK. The relocating partner does not have to be a scientific researcher. It is expected that the transitional funding provided by the fellowship will allow time for the applicant to apply for long-term support or negotiate a permanent position. Some eligibility conditions. Funding for one, possibly two years according to Lecturer A/B scale, plus research expenses up to £13,000. Closing date: 15 September 2005 |
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Conference grants:
For overseas conference participation, for up to (or for the first) ten days.
Funding covers airfare, £:60 perdiem, registration fee.
Closing dates: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December. Joint Projects: Funding for visits between two teams/individuals, one in the UK, the other abroad (see link for list of countries, Europe included); for two or three years; up to £6,000; Closing Dates: 15 March, 15 June, 15 September, 15 December for most countries. Short Visits to the UK and from the UK: Between one week and three months, to enhance research capabilities of individuals, develop collaborations, participation in international programmes; available for many countries; some conditions apply. Applications should be submitted three months in advance of the intended visit. Closing dates: 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, 1 December. Fellowships: Aimed at young scientists to do research in a different country (to and from the UK), normally from six to twelve months, sometimes up to three years; available only for a few countries. There are Incoming Fellowships from Asia, Incoming Fellowships from the USA and Canada, and Outgoing Fellowships to Australia, Canada and New Zealand; closing dates vary. Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards Scheme aims to give universities additional support to attract key researchers, with great potential or outstanding achievement, to this country or to retain those who might seek to gain higher salaries elsewhere. The focus of the award is salary enhancment, usually by bewteen £10k and £30k per annum, for five years. About 25 awards each year. Closing dates: 18 August and 20 December 2005. |
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Application forms and details of the schemes are available from the
wesite link in the first column.
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Small grants, up to £500, to individual LMS members within
the UK to support a research visit to or from the UK (to work on a
specific projects with named collaborators). Awards normally restricted
to one in each academic year.
Closing dates: 31 August, 31 January and 31 May, with results in month following. |
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To support collaboration between research groups
from at least three locations in the UK who can organise reasonably frequent
regular meetings;
up to a max £1200 for the academic year. (Meetings should be open, and have at least two formal talks on the programme.) Renewable.
Closing dates: 31 August. |
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Up to £500 for exploring potential new collaborations between
mathematicians and non-mathematicians on new applications of mathematics.
The intention is to enable a larger scale application to EPSRC.
Closing dates: 31 January, 31 May and 31 August annually. |
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Travel costs and subsistence up to £1,200 for visitors to the UK giving lectures
in at least three separate institutions. Exceptionally, support provided
for a significant single meeting.
Closing dates: At least three months before the date of the proposed visit; applications will not be considered between mid-June and mid-September. |
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Research visits to or from the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe,
Africa and some Asian countries. The status of other countries will be determined by Programme Committee case by case, but Western Europe, USA and Australia
are excluded. Maximum grants £1,900 (visits to the UK) or £1,200
(visits from the UK).
Closing dates: 31 August and 31 January. |
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For UK conferences where the grant will make a significant contribution
to the viability and success of the meeting. Max. grant £5000. (For
larger amounts see Research Meetings.)
Closing dates: 31 January, 31 May and 31 August annually. |
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Durham Symposia
Ten-day meetings in July with up to 70 participants. Detailed proposals at least two years ahead. Closing dates: by April 2000+n for 2000+(n + 2). LMS Workshop-Symposia Individual workshops and small symposia, no fixed format for these meetings. Grants in the range £4K to £12K. (For smaller amounts see Conference Grants). LMS-EPSRC Short Instructional Courses To provide courses of lectures for postgraduate students. Numbers are limited to 60-70, with up to a quarter of the participants from overseas. Here is pdf-file with notes for organisers. |
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Fellowship |
For women scientists who have had to take a substantial career break because of family commitments. Fellowships are for two years half-time, to allow for ongoing family commitments. See also the Daphne Jackson Trust. |
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Cecil King travel scholarship for PhD students
(or those having recently completed a doctoral degree);
value £5,000 to support a period of study or research
abroad for a typical period of three months.
Closing date: 11 February 2005. |
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Principally for the salary costs of a researcher to work on a specific
significant research project proposed by the applicant. May include
support for research assistants and postgraduate students, as well as
eplacement teaching costs for the applicant.
Value £10k to £250k (for durations of up to 3 years) and up to £500k (for durations of up to 5 years). Closing dates: none for initial application, then 1 September, 1 December, 21 March for full application. |
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To support experienced UK researchers, over 30, particularly those
prevented by routine duties from completing a research project. Between
3 and 24 months duration. Max. £25,000, including a contribution
towards replacement teaching costs. Approximately 90 awards in 2006.
Closing date: 10 November 2005. |
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Funding for up to three years to develop an
international research network.
Value: Awarded individually depending on merits, covers costs of travels, workshops and even the salary of a Network Facilitator. Closing date: None -- applications begin with quick preliminary assessment. |
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For established researchers in the UK aged 30 or over,
to provide a sabbatical period overseas in academic environment, between 3 and 12 months.
Max. £21,000, including travel and replacement teaching costs.
Closing date: 10 November 2005. |
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Support for postgraduate and post-doctoral scholars,
to spend 12 or 24 months with advanced study or research at a centre of learning
overseas (except the USA). Approximately 20 awards annually.
Applicants should have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years
and hold an undergraduate degree from a UK institution; should normally be under aged
30.
Value £15,000 per annum, plus partner allowance, plus air passage. Closing date: Closing date: 10 January 2006. |
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For research initiated before recent retirement of academics aged 59+.
Between 3 and 24 months duration. Max. £20,000. About 30 awards per year. Closing date: in 7 February 2006. |
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Funding to host an internationally distinguished academic from overseas
for between three and ten months, in order to enhance the research of the host institution. The
visitor is expected to offer a short course of 'Leverhulme Lectures'.
Covers salary and travel costs.
Closing dates: 15 May and 15 October annually (result within 5 months). |
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Fellowships |
For those with a proven research record, normally under age 35.
Approximately 35 Fellowships to be offered in 2006. Duration
2 years. The Trust will contribute 50% of each Fellow's total salary costs up to
£20,000 per annum, plus up to £5,000 research expenses.
Closing date: about 14 March 2006. |
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For outstanding scholars whose work has already been recognised at an
international level, normally under age 36.
Approximately 25 Prizes are available in five fields
(including Mathematics and Statistics).
Duration two years, value £50,000. Closing date: around May 2006 (for nominations by HoD); more information available in January. |
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Grants up to £6,000 for new lecturers in Mathematics to
develop innovative research projects in the early stages of their research
careers. 85 awards made in 2005.
Closing date: 27 October 2005 for 2006. |
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Bursaries provide support to enable undergraduates who are considering
research as a career to work in a research laboratory during the summer vacation before their final year.
Normally between six and eight weeks student support, plus a sum for research expenses.
274 bursaries were awarded in Summer 2005.
Closing date: 14 February 2006 for Summer 2006. |
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Grants to help with the childcare costs of student mothers in higher education.
Closing date: next meeting of the board 15 November 2005. |
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Fellowships for a period of two years. Approx. six awards each year
(open to all sciences, but they are keen to get more mathematicians to apply).
Candidates must be in possession, or in the final stages, of a PhD, and preferably less than 30. Open to British, Commonwealth, Irish, Pakistani residents. Application forms from the website. Closing date: 23 February 2006 (results in June 2006). |
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PPARC
(Particle
Physics and Astronomy Reseach Council)
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Standard grants: including Particle Physics Research Grants and also SPG grants; funding for research proposals for up to three years, also postdoc positions.
Rolling grants: funding for projects requiring longer term support. Assessment of applications is through peer review. Applications that are cross-research-council are encouraged. Closing dates depend on type and field. |
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Funds for small, local or 'pilot' projects promoting PPARC science and technology. Projects must be relevant to publicising or teaching the PPARC-funded science areas, including particle physics, cosmology and others. Awards range from £5,000 to £15,000, and the expenditure can go towards materials, salaries and travel & subsistence. The next closing date is 21 October 2005. |
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The Large Awards Scheme provides funds for projects which are expected to have a significant regional or national impact; up to £100,000, plus development awards of around £30,000. The next closing date is 5 November 2005. |
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Postdoctoral and Advanced Fellowships: three resp. five year fellowships to do research, plus generous travel allowance. Closing Date: 13 October 2005.
Senior Research Fellowships: up to three years funding for full-time research for researchers in a permanent post. Closing Date: 13 October 2005. Daphne Jackson Fellowships: aimed at enabling scientists to return to their professions following a career break owing to family commitments. |
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Studentships tenable up to three years awarded via quota allocation to the Department. Nominations of candidates must be submitted to PPARC by 31 July. |
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New scheme for international students from India, China,
Hong Kong, Russia and the developing world wishing to study in the UK
(a list of eligible countries is available
here).
160 PhD awards to be made in late 2005.
Application is via the recipient universities, see the Research Councils UK web page and press release. |
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Postdoc Fellowships |
Approximately 45 fellowships per year in experimental or theoretical particle physics. Normally for 2 years. Applicants usually below the age of 33. Details here. Deadline 5 September 2005. There are also CERN doctoral student and CERN Summer students programmes. |
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European funding organizations
The EU has become a major funder of large collaborative research
projects. [There are a number of people in the department currently
involved in such projects from whom advice may be sought.]
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EU research activities are implemented via multi-annual research Framework Programmes. Currently FP6 |
Research Training Networks: Promotes training-through-research, especially of young researchers, both pre- and post-doctoral level,
within the frame of high quality international collaborative research projects. Networks
normally consist of at least three partners from three different countries.
Conferences and Training Courses: support of series of events or a large conference Marie Curie Fellowships: A variety of individual fellowships. Under FP6, there is funding for Early Stage Training -- closing date 11 February 2004; Post-doctoral Research, now in two Intra-European Fellowships -- closing date 18 February 2004 and Incoming International Fellowships -- closing date 12 February 2004; Promoting Excellence for experienced researchers -- closing date 18 May 2004. |
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Formed by the EU to preserve scientific potential of the NIS partner countries (including Russia) by promoting East-West Scientific co-operation. Supports innovative scientists by funding joint Research Projects, which aim to advance scientific knowledge. Also offers Postdoc Fellowships and Conference Grants. See the INTAS CALLS page. |
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Promotes science at a European level. Offers grants, including for Networks and Conferences. Also funds Exploratory Workshops. |
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Supports development of mathematics in Europe.
ERCOM An EMS committee of Scientific Directors of European Research Centres in the Mathematical Sciences. Has links to vacancies listings. |
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Information on various sources of funding; contains in particular a list of funding possibilities and to a scholarship search engine, which however displays rough results only without registration; a more concise list is contained in the pdf file Sources of Funding for International Students. |
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Commonwealth Scholarships: for one to three years and usually
cover the cost of travel, tuition fees and living expenses.
Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS): for PG students of any nationality, studying full-time for a higher degree as registered research students at British universities. Selection based solely on academic merit and research potential. Awards meet the difference between the home and overseas level of tuition fees only, no maintenance costs. British Marshall Scholarships: open to US citizens under 26 years of age who are graduates of US universities, to undertake study in any subject leading to a degree at a UK university for up to three years. Selection is by regional committee in the USA. The awards cover fares, tuition fees, maintenance, book, thesis and travel allowances. Fulbright Scholarships: open to US graduate students for study in the UK, no age restrictions; awarded for nine months, but renewals for one year can be offered to a limited number of students. British Chevening Scholarships: prestigious awards which enable graduates and young professionals from over 150 overseas countries to study in the UK; see the Chevening website for more information. |
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Other international funding organizations
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Aims to promote mathematics in developing countries via:
[1] Support for individuals for research visits by means of partial travel grants. [2] Partial support to attend conferences organized by developing countries. [3] Support of research partnerships and longer term cooperations with regional centers. |
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Mathematical Union |
Offers (Fields medals and) partial support for international
colloquia (meetings lasting
a week or longer), up to a few thousand Swiss Francs, to be used for travel
or living expenses; more details
here.
Closing Date: 01 November 2004 for meetings to be held in 2005. |
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Scholarships and Fellowships to and from UK to commonwealth countries. |
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1 Million $ per Millenium
Problem are up for grabs. Late-solvers may apply for
Book Fellowships and Research
Scholarships for consolation.
Clay also fund conferences and workships; material should be sent in by 1 August. |
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The webpage contains information on professional opportunities and conferences. |
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AWM offers travel grants to enable women with a work address in the USA to attend research conferences abroad (up to $2,000). Some more specialised types of travel grants are also available. |
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Funding for Scientific Meetings and Networks which have a strong involvement of Developing Regions or Countries |
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Sigma Delta Epsilon (SDE) Fellowships for female graduate students or postdoctoral researchers. Up to $4,000 per application, for equipment, travel, subsistence (but see website for restrictions). Closing Date: 01 December 2004. |
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Funding schemes for specific
countries or regions
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[1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG with its Mercator Programme provides funding for
Visiting Professorships at German universities for typcially
six to twelve months (some teaching is expected).
[2] DAAD: German Academic Exchange Service provides information databases and support for study or research in Germany -- and also for German PhD students taking their PhD in the UK. [3] Alexander von Humboldt Foundation offers fellowships and awards for periods of research in Germany. [4] British Council ARC programme supports exchange visits via contributions to travel and living costs. Project applications of up to two years' duration will be considered; on average £2,500 per annum. No funding of studentships or conferences. |
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Fullbright Commission
Marshall Scholarships |
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French cooperation Programme for Research:
Provides support for Anglo-French conferences, research meetings in the UK. Information: Philippe Mogentale, French Embassy, Education and Language Attache, 23 Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2EL. [philippe.mogentale@ambafrance.org.uk] |
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The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science offers several types of fellowships for research in Japan. |
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Funding for Mathematical
Biology
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Science research council covering mathematical biology, offers
fellowships
and
PhD studentships --
the latter are funded only through university departments -- and
also research grants.
Closing date for fellowships: 15 November each year. |
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Major research funding charity, offering Research Training Fellowships . These are postdoctoral fellowships enabling mathematicians to aquire skills in math-biology, or biologists to aquire mathematical training. However, the Trust is in the process of reviewing its grant funding activities for October 2003 onwards and decisions resulting from this review will be taken in the summer. |
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The European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology webpage |
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