The Institute of Advanced Studies: The IAS Research Investment Scheme (RIS)

This pump-priming research fund seeks to ensure that interdisciplinary ideas generated in the IAS, both intra-Birmingham and through collaboration with leading international visitors, are realized and lead to paradigm-shifting 4* outputs, external grant income, impact cases, and long-term research collaborations.

The Scheme has two streams:

(i) RIS-DVF programme that will create long-term collaborative, multidisciplinary research programmes with Distinguished Visiting Fellows leading to co-authored publications, and external grants.

(ii) RIS-post-workshop programme that will allow exciting ideas and conversations from IAS workshops to be explored and tested so as to get preliminary results to seek external support for those ideas.

Deadlines

Please contact Sue Gilligan for further information regarding upcoming application deadlines. 

Project proposals will be reviewed and ranked by a panel of senior experts, chaired by the IAS Director with Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research & KT) having final approval of all projects recommended for funding.  We aim to communicate decisions within one month of the deadline, although this may be longer where external advice is required.

 

RIS-DVF Programme

Proposals will bring together one or more UoB academics with an IAS Distinguished Visiting Fellow to create long-term collaborative, multidisciplinary research programmes. We advise that proposers contact Sue Gilligan with any questions or to discuss ideas and the possibilities for support in the scheme.

Who can apply?

University of Birmingham Academic staff member(s) in association with an approved DVF

Details of Institute of Advanced Studies Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Programme

The Award

A typical award size is £20,000 with funds available to make around five awards per annum. 

Applicants are encouraged to think imaginatively and different approaches within the resource envelope are welcomed

Depending on the proposed work plan, it may be necessary to discuss match funding from the proposer’s school or college, for example if there were plans for a funded PhD studentship.

A research associate model might lend itself better to the research and the scheme goals.  School/College match contributions (or contributions from the DVF or their institution) are welcome and may strengthen an application, but not are essential.

Proposal Requirements

Section 1. This should be 1 – 1.5 pages of A4 (maximum)

 

Project Title:

Applicant(s):

Proposed start date:

The proposal should address the following questions:

1. What is the challenge the project will address why is it important?

2. What is your approach? (include and highlight cross disciplinary aspects)

3. What is the state of the art in this area?

4. What is innovative about your approach? (include risk)

5. What would you do with the project funding?
        -  Brief plan
        -  Outline budget with split between e.g. people, consumables

6. How will this create a long term link between the team?

7. What are your plans for publications and further funding?

 

Section 2. This should be up to 2 pages of A4 (maximum)

 

Main Project lead:

Short up to date CV to include representative grants held and applied for in the past 5 years:  

Names of project team:               

Distinguished Visiting Fellow:  

Link to webpage:

Proposal Assessment Criteria

Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

 

Ambition

Innovation

Cross-disciplinarity (contribution to developing interdisciplinary research at UoB)

Potential for transformative, paradigm shifting, research

Coherence of research plan and future funding plans (Quality)

Fit to Scheme, including embedding a long term collaboration

 Submission Details and Deadlines

Application deadlines

Please contact Sue Gilligan for further information regarding upcoming application deadlines. 

RIS-post-workshop Programme

The programme will allow exciting ideas and conversations from IAS workshops to be explored and tested.  It seeks to support high risk – high reward (potentially paradigm shifting) multidisciplinary projects and provide them with initial funding to test out the ideas and get preliminary results that establish feasibility and will enable grant applications to external funders to continue and fully develop the research.

We advise that proposers contact Sue Gilligan with any questions or to discuss ideas and the possibilities for support in the scheme.

 

Who can apply?

University of Birmingham Academic staff members who have participated in an IAS Workshop and wish to work in collaboration to develop their ideas.  

 The Award

A typical award size is 10K, with funds available to make around five awards per annum. Applicants are encouraged to think imaginatively and different approaches within the resource envelope are welcomed.

 Proposal Requirements

Section 1. This should be 1-1.5 pages of A4 (maximum)

 

Project Title:

Applicants:

Proposed start date:

The proposal should address the following questions:

1.  What is the challenge you will address & why is it important?

2.  What is your approach? (include and highlight cross disciplinary aspects)

3.  What is the state of the art in this area?

4.  What is innovative about your approach? (include risk)

5.  What would you do with the project funding?
        -  Brief plan
        -  Outline budget with split between e.g. people, consumables

6.  How will the work position you to seek further funding? (include any anticipated outputs) 

7. How does this relate to and arise from an IAS workshop?

 

 

Section 2. This should be up to 3 pages of A4 (maximum)

Main Project leads:

Short up to date CVs for the leads, to include representative grants held and applied for in the past 5 years:    

Names of project team:               

Name and date of IAS Workshop:

 Proposal Assessment Criteria

Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

 

Ambition

Innovation

Cross-disciplinarity (contribution to developing interdisciplinary research at UoB)

Potential for transformative (paradigm shifting) research

Coherence of research plan and future funding plans (Quality)

Fit to Scheme

 Submission Details and Deadlines

Application deadlines

Please contact Sue Gilligan for further information regarding upcoming application deadlines. 

 

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