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Researcher-Led Initiative fund applications are now open

Would you like to put together a workshop, event or other activity to enrich the Sussex research community? Then consider applying for the Sussex Researcher School’s Researcher-Led Initiative (RLI) Fund.

In previous years we have supported many successful projects, such as Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks workshops, TED x University of Sussex: Together Apart talks, a Write your PhD story in 100 words competition and more.

For 2024/25, the scheme has been merged with the ECR Seed Fund, securing continued support for PGR and ECR development. It is a great opportunity to develop project management, communication and organisational skills and support the researcher community.

How does it work?

Postgraduate and early career researchers (broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at grades 6-8) at Sussex are encouraged to apply with a project that falls within one of the four categories below:

• research culture, including EDI and wellbeing
• interdisciplinarity and internal collaboration
• public engagement and external collaboration
• researcher training and career development 

Successful applicants are awarded up to £1000 to complete their project within the academic year. Funds must be spent before the end of financial year on 15 July 2025, with any remaining budget returned to the Sussex Researcher School.

Once funded, activities are organised by the award recipients. Support, where needed, should be provided by your School’s Research and Enterprise Coordinator (REC) for PGRs, or School research support staff for ECRs.

Recipients must submit a short evaluation report after their activity has taken place, and may be asked to share their experiences at a Summer of Research or Sussex Researcher School (SRS) event.

How to apply?

To apply simply fill out the application form, selecting the category that best fits your project. Please ensure that you have read the RLI Fund webpage and strand guidance notes in full before completing your application. 

For further information, visit the Sussex Researcher School’s RLI fund webpage as well as the previous application examples webpage, which may help with your own application process.

Applications are reviewed by a panel after the call for applications closes, and a decision made within four weeks of the closing date. Membership of the selection panel is drawn from the SRS and Sussex’s academic community.

Applications close at 12pm noon on Monday 4 November 2024