ID054 University-wide research funding implementation and delivery

The Idea

That Keele adopts a university-wide approach to supporting grant/funding applications and research success. To enable this, a large group of research-active staff across Schools and Faculties would be formed. Every time a Keele researcher or research team leads a grant application, a brief A4 describing in lay language and the aim and objectives of the proposal would be sent to the University-wide group where broad feedback would be provided, mainly on other potential Keele researchers or expertise that could be brought in and included in the proposal. This approach would not to be aimed at being prescriptive and deciding whether or not grants can be put forward or not but would be aimed at ensuring that optimal Keele expertise, skills, knowledge and networks are included in the proposal. 

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

The research funding landscape in the UK is rapidly changing, as evidenced by the recent pause of UKRI funding. Furthermore, the recent UKRI communications point to less money being available for smaller PI-led grants, which will most likely favor larger research-intensive Russell group universities. We therefore need to be strategic in future grant applications to ensure that funding bodies and reviewers can see that Keele is best placed to lead cross- and multi-our proposed research endeavours. However, at present, most Keele grant applications are overseen by a handful of individuals within a School/Faculty and there is a missed opportunity to include cross- multi-disciplinary expertise and collaborative networks from across the university that could enhance the breadth and success of grant applications. We are currently not optimising the way that we can work together, as a small university, to increase our research strengths and successes. 

How We Would Implement This Idea

1. Creating a large group of research-active staff across Schools and Faculties, potentially including School Research Directors, Faculty Research Directors and Directors of Research Institutes and Centres. 
2. Every time Raise is informed of an active grant application through the submission of the “Project Initiation Forms”,  the form is distributed to the University-wide group via a SharePoint folder 
3. Members have a 2-week window to feedback on: additional Keele members that could contribute to the proposal, additional funding opportunities, additional external collaborators and partners (clinical, academic, industrial, public) that could strengthen applications.  

What Success Would Look Like

1. Increased number of Keele researchers/collaborations on grant applications 
2. Increased number of cross- multi-disciplinary grant applications 
3. Increased research funding income to Keele 
4. Increased unity and awareness amongst research-active staff