Internal funding opportunities

Career Support and Bridging Support Schemes

In certain circumstances, the University can provide continuing support for the employment by the University of contract research staff where outside funding is not immediately available.

The purpose of the Bridging Support Scheme is to enable continued employment of academic-related research staff between fixed-term contracts at the University.

The purpose of the Career Support Scheme is to enable continued employment of long-serving academic-related contract researchers whose research contribution is of particular value to the University.

Both schemes are administered by Personnel Services and further information can be found at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ps/staff/codes/cssbss.shtml.

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CNRS - Oxford Collaboration Scheme (deadline extended to 5 pm, 31 May 2013)

The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the University of Oxford have established the CNRS-Oxford Collaboration Scheme to enhance existing collaborations, and to facilitate the development of new collaborations, between researchers at the two organisations.

The Scheme provides small grants to support

  1. joint research workshops between researchers from CNRS-affiliated units and Oxford to identify and develop new collaborative opportunities; and
  2. short research visits as part of a collaborative activity that researchers from CNRS-affiliated units and Oxford wish to pursue together

The Scheme is open to researchers across all disciplines at CNRS and Oxford.

For application forms and guidelines, as well as further information (including a list of projects funded under the 2012 Round), please see the programme overview.

The call for applications for the 2013 Round opened on 13 March 2013. Please note that the originaly deadline for applications has been extended to 5 pm, Friday 31 May 2013.

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Departmental Funds

Departments usually have some funds available to held fund travel to conferences and for collaborative visits, short-term emergency support etc. Please contact your Departmental Administrator for further information.

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Erasmus funding for academic teaching staff

Erasmus is the European Commission's flagship educational programme for Higher Education students, teachers, and institutions and was introduced with the aim of increasing student mobility within Europe. Erasmus funding is not only available for students but for staff as well. Members of academic teaching staff employed by the University of Oxford may be eligible for funding to undertake a short period of teaching at another institution that participates in Erasmus.

Details about the Erasmus Staff Mobility Scheme can be found at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/personnel/staffinfo/academic/erasmus.  Please note that an agreement between two institutions holding an Erasmus University Charter needs to be in place by the summer before the academic year in which the staff mobility is due to take place.

Further information can be obtained from the Erasmus Co-ordinator (Erasmus@ox.ac.uk).

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EPSRC Additional Sponsorship to Universities (Grants available to support equipment sharing between institutions.

Background

The EPSRC has kindly offered 'Additional Sponsorship for targeted Universities in support of EPSRC delivery plan' through to March 2013 in four areas:

  1. Delivering Impact: Sponsoring Pathways to Impact    
  2. Developing Leaders:  Widening the pool of research experience
  3. Shaping capability:  Bridging the gaps and priming new transformative research
  4. Efficiency and effectiveness: Enhancing equipment sharing between institutions

    The strategic use of this funding allocated to Oxford to support and enhance Oxford’s contribution to the achievement of EPSRC's 'strategic and delivery plan goals' is being overseen by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), in consultation with senior colleagues.

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    Institutional Strategic Support Fund

    The Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF) is a block grant provided to the University, which is managed by a small central committee. The ISSF Committee receives applications for funding from any department in the University. Research projects must fall within the remit of the Wellcome Trust, as well as the strategic remit of biomedical research at Oxford.

    The fund was first awarded in 2011-2012 with a £1.5M grant from Wellcome, to be matched by £1.5M from the University. The fund was recently renewed for 2012-2013 for an additional £1.5M, following a successful first year report to the Trust. Awards in future years will be contingent on the track record of projects funded, as well as continued investment on the part of the Wellcome Trust.

    Information on strategic research priorities, eligibility, procedures, and previous awards can be found on the ISSF website. Any general enquiries about the nature of the fund or applications can be sent to Jennifer Bardsley.

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    John Fell OUP Research Fund

    The John Fell OUP Research Fund is administered by the Planning & Resource Allocation Section. The purpose of the Fund is to foster creativity and a proactive approach to research opportunities in all subject areas, and particularly in interdisciplinary fields. It will make seedcorn and start-up grants, and provide staff and funds to stimulate applications to external agencies. The Fund will thus build on the success of the former Research Development Fund. Please see the John Fell Fund web page for deadlines and further details.
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    Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs)

    These posts are generally affiliated with particular colleges, and are advertised via their websites. Some posts are advertised in the Appointments section of the Gazette and/or in the Research section of the University job site.

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    Medical Research Fund

    The Medical Research Fund supports research conducted in the clinical departments of the Medical Sciences Division through provision of bridging support grants, pilot project grants and start-up funds. Please see the MSD Intranet for further information.

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    NERC Impact Accelerator Fund Pilot (EoI deadline: 9 am, 3 May 2013)

    The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has established a small pilot fund to support activities in the next few months ‘to strengthen interaction between NERC funded science and the business community to accelerate and amplify the impact of NERC science.’

    The University was initially awarded funding to support two (2) types of events as soon as practicable, and no later than 30 June 2013. However, on 15 March 2013, we were advised that NERC has revised the timeframe in which the Impact Accelerator Fund Pilot funds need to be spent. It is likely the grant end date will be mid-December 2013. We have therefore amended the due date for proposals to Friday, 3 May 2013 to allow more time for discussions and planning. Activities will need to take place in time to finalise expenditure and reports to NERC by late 2013.

    Expressions of Interest are invited by 9 am, 3 May 2013 from NERC-funded researchers at Oxford to stage:

    1. An Industry Showcase event in Oxford, to bring together Oxford researchers with collaborators and potential research users in business.

    • The industry day will mix speakers from business outlining the main challenges facing their industries and NERC-funded PIs outlining ways in which their research offers opportunities to work with industry.  NERC wish to see an emphasis ‘on dialogue’ and less “push” than “pull”, i.e. ‘less of academia showing what solutions they have as opposed to business/industry saying what their problems are and academics then showing what might help them.’
    • We aim to involve doctoral students and postdocs by including a poster competition within the event which would focus on the opportunities for business and policy engagement arising from the research.
    • The theme of the day will be chosen to facilitate a blend of research areas.
    • The Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team in Research Services will support the lead PI to organise the event.
    • The outline budget for this event is £9k.

    2. A small number of “impact acceleration seminars” based around existing university networks in the Environmental Sciences.

    • These will be led jointly by university researchers and external partners, to share learning from successful impact strategies, develop collaborative activities and support strategic relationships with impact partners.
    • Outputs are expected to include: poster displays; podcasts and slide presentations from speakers; blog posts on research impacts on challenges facing business; summary reports on key challenges and how research can help to address these. Outcomes are expected to include new links with businesses forged through the events; ideas for new opportunities to engage with business; new research collaborations and consultancy projects.
    • We would welcome proposals from NERC-funded research teams to organise one of these seminars. We are happy to consider events which are already planned, provided they have not yet taken place and meet the broad criteria outlined above. The grant per seminar would normally be £500-£3,000.
    • If you have an event planned or an idea for an event that fits these criteria and would like to discuss it before submitting the proposal, please contact Caroline Bucklow, Knowledge Exchange Officer, Research Services, Wellington Square, in the first instance. Caroline.bucklow@admin.ox.ac.uk or tel. 01865-280441.

     Brief Expressions of Interest are due by 9am, Friday, 3 May 2013, using the relevant Internal EOI form below.

     Documents

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    Oppenheimer Fund (deadline: 12 April 2013)

    The Oppenheimer Fund provides grants to assist the academic exchange of senior members between the University of Oxford and institutions of higher education in South Africa. Grants may be awarded to assist with travel costs and living expenses for a maximum of three months. The next deadline will be 12 April 2013.

    Please see the programme overview for details.

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    Oxford Martin School

    Applications are invited periodically from individuals and groups within Oxford University for grants from the Oxford Martin School.

    For more information about the School, see http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk.

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    Oxford-Canterbury (NZ) Exchange Programme (deadline: 31 July 2013)

    The Oxford-Canterbury Exchange Programme, pursuant to the latest Memorandum of Understanding (240kb) signed by Oxford and Canterbury in 2011, enables academic staff from Oxford University to visit the University of Canterbury for up to 3 months to give lectures to students and contribute generally to the teaching programme. The University of Canterbury now funds all Fellowships with assistance from its Erskine Bequest for eligible departments in the Faculties of Commerce, Engineering and Science.

    Please note: Oxford departments, rather than the central University, will be responsible for meeting the financial commitments agreed to. Also, any Oxford academic thinking of applying for a Fellowship must contact the relevant department at Canterbury and obtain a supporting letter from the Head of Department. Further information on this can be found on the Programme Overview page.

    Deadline: Applications are invited for the 2013 round of funding, and close on 31 July 2013.

    How to apply: Please see the programme overview for guidelines and the application form.
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    Oxford-Princeton Collaborative Research Grants

    The Oxford-Princeton Collaborative Research Grants Program, pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Oxford and Princeton in 2001, provides 'seed-corn' funds supporting interactions between researchers to build the basis for new research projects and to develop proposals for external funding (to help sustain and enlarge collaborative activity).

    In the most recent round (2012), 6 new projects were funded. A listing of the projects funded in 2012, 2011 and 2010 is available.

    The Oxford Grants Committee plans to apply to the John Fell Fund for a further block of funding to enable future calls (in 2013). The Committee is working with Princeton’s Council of International Teaching and Research to evaluate the grants program and make the case for continued funding.

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    Proof of Concept and Seed Funds

    During 1999 Oxford University was awarded one of 15 seed funds that were established as part of the Government's University Challenge Seed Fund Scheme (UCSF). The aim of the Scheme is to fill a funding gap in the UK in the provision of finance for bringing university research discoveries to a point where their commercial usefulness can be demonstrated and the first steps taken to ensure their utility. The Scheme's primary focus is the exploitation of science and engineering research outcomes.

    The UCSF is adminstered by Isis Innovation. Please see the ISIS website for further information.

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    Scholarships and Prizes

    The Sources of Funding web pages include useful information about scholarships and prizes available to undergraduate and graduate students.
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    Contacts

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