Funding

The University's Research Information website contains information about the various tools and sources of support available to the University of Cambridge's research community at all stages of the research life cycle, such as finding potential collaborators and identifying sources of funding.

If you are planning to apply for research funding see:

• University information about applying for research funding 
• Departmental information about research funding and grant management 

University Information about Research Funding 

Some of the University's Centres & Institutes and Strategic Research Intitiatives and Networks supply updates about relevant opportunities to their members and contacts, through websites, newsletters and emails.  

Information about searching for research funding can be found on the University's Research Information website:

Dimensions

Dimensions for Universities is a web-based tool developed to help universities and academics to analyse and understand the funding landscape. It provides a range of search options, including a search based on an abstract or other paragraph of text which is designed to help academics find other researchers in their field; faciltates comparison with other institutions and enable departments to respond to queries about past or present funding in particular areas. 

Research Professional Funding Opportunities Database

The Research Professional Funding Opportunities Database offers researchers the opportunity to search for research funding in all disciplines from a wide range of sponsors in the UK and overseas. All funding information in the database is pre-screened for eligibility for UK researchers. The University of Cambridge subscribes to Research Professional services and use is therefore free of charge for all University members. To register see the Research Professional website.

Research Operations office (ROO)

The Research Operations Office website provides comprehensive information about securing and administering sponsored research funding, including:

• Costing research projects:
  
• What is Full Economic Costing?
• X5
• Training
• Applying for Funding:
  • Application Procedures
  • Pre-checks by ROO
  • Successful and Unsuccessful Applications
  • EC Application Process
  • Research Councils Application Process
  • Risk Assessment Guidelines
  • Restricted Calls for Funding
  • Letters of Support from VC or Pro-VC
  • Policies for Applying for Funding

• Research Contracts:
  • Introduction to Contracts
  • Types of Contracts
  • The Process
  • Contracts Team
  • Glossary
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Policies for Research Contracts
• Managing Research Projects:
  • Research Projects from Start to End
  • Managing EC Funding
  • Audit requirements
  • Transferring an Award
  • Banking Information
  • Policies for Managing Research
  • Research Ethics
  • Research Data Management
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Due Diligence
• Major Funders:
  • Research Councils UK
  • Charities and Trusts
  • Government and Departments
  • European Funding
  • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
  • Research Professional Funding Opportunities Database
• Policies - A to Z 

Research Strategy Office (RSO)

The Research Strategy Office (RSO) supports the work of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, the Heads of the Schools and the University of Cambridge's Research Policy Committee in devising and implementing research strategies and policies to increase and enhance the University's standing as a world-leading institution.

The Research Strategy Office team also works with researchers to help develop collaborative inter-disciplinary research activity, facilitate the development of institutional relationships with major research and industrial funders, support the University's submission to the REF, oversee certain strategically important cross-School grants, and coordinate the University's restricted calls process.

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Departmental Information about Research Funding

A brief summary of how to apply for research funding:

1. If you are planning to apply for research funding you should contact our Finance Administrator as soon as possible.
2. To initiate the application you will need to complete an Application Intent Form;  please note, if you are based in the Cambridge Cancer Trials Centre (CCTC), you will also need to complete a Grant proforma for CCTC applications.
3. The Finance Administrator will then work with you to prepare your application and will ensure that the application is accurately costed, including an accurate estimation of the directly allocated costs.
4. Your application is then considered by the Head of Department, or Deputy Head of Department in the Head's absence.
5. After departmental approval, the application must be checked and approved by the University’s Research Operations Office (ROO) prior to submission to the funding body. 

For more detailed information about making a grant application and the procedures for managing expenditure associated with research grants see:

• External Funding - Application Timeline - outlines the steps involved and timeline for applying for research funding
• Departmental Procedures for managing grant expenditure - includes information about:

• Making a grant application
• New grants
• Ongoing grants
• Staffing issues, including adverts and appointments

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