These pages are designed to provide guidance for individuals who would like to apply for research funding.
Thinking of applying for research funding?
If you are interested in applying for research funding, it is necessary to establish the following:
- What do I need?
Consider what costs you could incur whilst carrying out your proposed research. For example, will you travel, do you need additional staff or equipment? Similarly, it is important to identify when you require funding.
- Who should I apply to?
There is an array of sponsors who can offer research funding ( e.g fellowships, research grants or travel funds). Before applying, it necessary to check whether you satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Some of the main sponsors appear on the “Research Grants” link below. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to e-mail research@ames.cam.ac.uk - Faculty's primary e-mail address for general inquiries on research funding and projects.
- When should I apply?
Consult the upcoming deadlines page and links below relating to types of funding for forthcoming deadlines.
Please note however that the application processes for funding schemes are increasingly sponsor specific and it is advisable to email research@ames.cam.ac.uk as early as possible to obtain specific advice on administrative issues.
Available Funding
- Research Grants
A range of funding is available from all major sponsors.
This information is being updated.
AHSS pages on this can be found here: Research Grant Schemes | Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (cam.ac.uk).
The AHSS also has a section dedicated to Internal Funding competitions: Internal Funding | Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (cam.ac.uk).
- Early Career Schemes
Fellowships and research grants from the AHRC, British Academy, EC, ESRC and Leverhulme Trust.
For information on sponsors and funding opportunities please see the link: Early Career Schemes.
- Fellowships and Research Leave Schemes
Fellowships from the AHRC, British Academy, ESRC, Leverhulme Trust and Wellcome Trust. This information is being updated.
- Internal Research Funding
Some sponsors provide block funding to the University. Competitions for funding are then staged either by the centre or by the Schools. This information is being updated.
- Conference and Travel Funding
Funding is available within the University for conference support and to cover travel costs. This information is being updated.
Contact Us
Help is available in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies for those wishing to make research grant applications.
At the outset, contact your Head of Department to discuss research ideas.
The Faculty's Research Grant Facilitators, Dr Elizabeth Penner (Elizabeth.Penner@admin.cam.ac.uk) (School’s Research Facilitator for EC and overseas funding) and Dr Anna Cieslik (School’s Research Facilitator for UK funding).
Prof. Hans van de Ven is responsible for "Impact" and can provide academic advice on composing project proposals, read and supply peer-review.
For all general queries relating to research funding, application process, costing or existing grants please e-mail research@ames.cam.ac.uk.
Useful links
Research Professional website (this allows researchers to search for any source of funding eligible to UK institutions. Use of the database is free to all university members however you will be prompted to register).
University Research Operations Office website (this website helps administrative and academic staff to understand the processes and requirements associated with research grants and contracts).
The website explains university’s research policies in full. Two particular policies to note are as those concerning ETHICAL APPROVAL and OPEN ACCESS.
OPEN ACCESS: From 2014 the university is adopting a new policy with regards to open access. The policy has been introduced in order to prepare the University for the next ‘Research Excellence Framework’ (REF) exercise, expected in 2021 and to enable the university to comply with the open access policy of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The policy requires authors to upload their papers/manuscripts (to Cambridge’s institutional repository - Apollo) at the point at which a publisher has accepted the piece of work for publication, i.e. before a Copyright Transfer or Open Access Agreement has been signed with the publisher. HEFCE policy requires manuscripts to be uploaded no later than three months after publisher acceptance. HEFCE policy will enter into force from 1st April 2016; however the university wishes to ensure early adoption of best practice leads to no omissions of REF-eligible research.
The Open Access team within the university will liaise directly with the author to ensure that, once manuscripts are uploaded to the repository, the correct funder-specific open access policies and HEFCE policies are adhered to. Publisher embargoes will be respected.
Full details of the Open Access policy is available here.
Any queries on the policy and how it may affect you as a researcher should be directed to the Open Access team at info@openaccess.cam.ac.uk.
£1 Million sign-off forms (School of the Humanities and Social Sciences):
Applications for research funding that are expected to exceed £1,000,000 must be authorised by the School of the Humanities and Social Sciences before the completed application is submitted for approval by the Research Operations Office.
The School office will review submissions every Tuesday. The School recommends that six weeks is allowed for the School to properly review and communicate decisions to applicants. This must be factored in to your timetable for making an application. Both applicants and the faculty will need to work together to complete the required submission form for the School.
AHSS:
The AHSS website also has a Research Resource Library that contains a number of documents such as Guidance for Aspiring and Current PIs, Funding Guide for Postdoc and Early Career Researchers, as well as information on Narrative CVs, Data Management Plans, etc. The link is here: Research Resource Library | Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (cam.ac.uk)