We know that identifying sources of research funding, making grant applications and managing awards are major preoccupations for research staff. This page is here to help you every step of the way.

Sources of funding

Guidance and resources to help you find research funding:

Research & Innovation Services
The University team provides information and guidance on research funding opportunities to all academic staff. They support academic staff through the complex process of applying for European Union funding and other international research funding and support the projects once they are awarded. 

Funding opportunities & resources
Information on the variety of funding opportunities available from all research funders.

Research funding guide (password protected)
University publication providing key information on the major research funders and their schemes, application writing tips, internal processes, support and much more.

Research Professional
A leading search engine providing funding news for Research Professionals. Register for regular email updates for funding in your area.

Support and guidance

Research Support Group home page

Research support when developing proposals

Guide to Full Economic Costing

Ethics and governance

The University's Research Code of Practice (PDF - 72kB)

The Ethics Team can provide research staff with information or guidance about the University’s ethical review process.

Research Governance information covering university sponsorship, application to NRES ethics committees and advice on regulatory requirements.

Research Excellence Framework

The University fosters a community of highly-skilled, dynamic researchers who feel positive about their research and about their career prospects. There are many resources available to you and this page aims to act as a directory to some of those resources.

Vodcasts

We have produced an exclusive suite of tailored vodcast resources that will help colleagues to:

• Share knowledge and experiences on major career development issues
• Offer advice and support in achieving research career milestones
• Provide a unique insight into the different career pathways open to research staff

University resources

Academic brochure - page-turning guide

PDF - 916KB

Performance and development review schemes

Job vacancies at the University of Birmingham

External resources

‘Just Higher-ed’: a new academic’s working blog

Vitae’s information and guidance section to help research staff manage their careers

Career Advice Magazine from Science Careers

Career development support from Research Councils UK

The University of Birmingham fully recognises the contribution that researchers make to its success as a leading University. Our Strategic Framework identifies a commitment to attracting, retaining and celebrating talent; growing leadership capacity – specifically research leadership; increasing engagement within and external to the University. These themes clearly align with the Principles of The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

The University attained The HR Excellence in Research Award on September 5th 2011 and was re-accredited in November 2013. This recognises our ongoing commitment to The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. We are now seeking to renew our accreditation for a further 4 years.

The Concordat sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

As part of our commitment to HR Excellence, and following our reaccreditation in November 2013, we have completed a review of our practice against “The Concordat”. Below are a 4 year review, a detailed review of actions against the 2013 – 2015 plan, and a revised plan to 2017. The Action Plan will be monitored by the Researcher Development and Support Operational Working Group reporting to the Research & Knowledge Transfer Committee in collaboration with the HR Leadership Team.

UoB Concordat 4yr Review April 2016 PDF 
Concordat Actions Detailed Review Sept 2015 PDF 
Concordat Action Plan 2015-17 Revised April 2016  PDF

Previous documents can be accessed below:

Concordat Actions Review Summary Sept 2013 PDF
Concordat Actions Detailed Review Sept 2013 PDF
Concordat Revised Action Plan 2013 – 2015 PDF
UoB Concordat Actions June 2011 PDF
UoB Concordat Review Summary June 2011 PDF

The Action Plan will be monitored by HR Leadership Team in collaboration with the Research & Knowledge Transfer Committee.

The 7 Principles of the Concordat:

• recognition of the importance of recruiting, selecting and retaining researchers with the highest potential to achieve excellence in research
• researchers are recognised and valued by their employing organisation as an essential part of their organisation’s human resources and a key component of their overall strategy to develop and deliver world-class research
• researchers are equipped and supported to be adaptable and flexible in an increasingly diverse, mobile, global research environment
• the importance of researchers’ personal and career development and lifelong learning is clearly recognised and promoted at all stages of their career
• individual researchers share the responsibility for and need to proactively engage in their own personal and career development and lifelong learning
• diversity and equality must be promoted in all aspects of the recruitment and career management of researchers
• the sector and all stakeholders will undertake regular and collective review of their progress in strengthening the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK

The full version of the Concordat.