Do you have an idea for a project or event that could support your development as well as the development of others? The University recognises the importance of researchers having a choice in how they develop their transferable skills and the Researcher-Led Initiative fund supports this.
So what is it? The Researcher-Led Initiative Fund is available for specific projects/activities/events initiated by University of Edinburgh research students or research staff, for the benefit of groups of researchers at a School, research unit or research group level. The aim of the fund is to allow researchers themselves to have a greater input into the ways in which they are supported and developed, giving them the opportunity to think more creatively and proactively. The maximum total amount available to any one submission is £3,000, though many of the funded projects will be for amounts much lower than this.
The fund has many benefits, it can create the opportunity for interdisciplinary work, allow the development of ideas and projects, with the potential for wider public engagement, promote and encourage student and staff interaction, help build and engage research communities and networks and allow potential research collaborations, that wouldn’t necessarily happen otherwise. Feedback from previous applications highlighted the positive impact of being able to develop something from start to finish and how the skills acquired could be applied in their current and future work.
The initiatives must be in keeping with the researcher development agenda of professional and career development however this can take many forms. Previous funded initiatives include: writing groups/retreats; the establishment and/or promotion of postgrad and research staff societies; public communication events; conferences; seminar series; and much more. A short overview of previous successful projects is available from our website.
The fund has 2 rounds each year (June / December) with the next round closing on 2nd December 2013.
For further information visit: www.ed.ac.uk/iad/researcher-led
