SSRP Funding

SSRP Funds

The Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Centre of Excellence funds University of Sussex interdisciplinary research projects focused on identifying trade-offs and synergies among the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the last six years, SSRP has catalysed research that provides Science for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whilst navigating the intricate web of interactions among and driving synergies between them. With 58 seed fund projects and 30 externally funded projects under its belt, SSRP continues to support excellent research and actionable solutions that have real-world impact.

The SSRP Impact Fund is accessible to existing or previously funded SSRP projects. The fund aims to accelerate impact and further engagement with these projects. 

Last year, we also re-launched our Visiting Fellowship Fund, designed to build collaborations with partner organisations and strengthen the international research network of SSRP and the University. Awards for this fund are limited to £3,000 and applications are particularly encouraged from those not yet involved in SSRP activities, and those from DAC listed countries.

SSRP supports sustainability research with impact at the regional, national and international levels. It has a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and cross-school cooperation. Aimed at fostering collaboration and catalysing research aligned with SSRP’s five thematic areas, projects funded by SSRP contribute to one or more of the following themes:

  • Ecosystems, rights, and justice
  • Planetary health
  • South Coast sustainability
  • Sustainable climate and food systems
  • Sustainability frontiers

SSRP will assist successful applicants by pre-identifying promising calls and providing guidance to researchers seeking to align their projects with relevant external funding opportunities. 

SSRP Impact Fund (open now)

The Sussex Sustainability Research Programme (SSRP) Impact Fund is designed to provide short-turnaround funds for SSRP-funded faculty to generate additional impact from their SSRP funded research. The fund is open to PIs, Co-Is and postdocs associated with SSRP-funded projects.

The fund will support impact and engagement activities that build and strengthen relationships and seek to accelerate the impact being generated from SSRP-funded research projects. Funding could be used for a range of activities, including but not limited to:

  • developing policy recommendations/documents with external partners
  • collaborative meetings overseas (noting that the visiting fellowship scheme will cover financing colleagues from overseas to visit Sussex)
  • research-based training for external partners
  • Short-term employment of research assistant to enhance impact
  • special Journal Issues
  • costs of organising special sessions on an SSRP topic at a national or international conference; cost of attending a conference to present SSRP results
  • costs of visits to key stakeholders and presenting SSRP results.

Funding

We envisage grants will be in the region of £1,000-2,000 for a period of up to 6 months. The upper limit of funding applications is £5,000 in exceptional circumstances (e.g. for unanticipated Special Journal Issue costs). Carry-over of funds into the next financial year (after 31st July 2025) will not be permitted. The deadline to apply is 31 March 2025.

Applications are assessed as they are received and a decision is usually made within two to four weeks. 

Ineligible costs
  • conference attendance
  • impact and engagement activities costs requested in the original SSRP funding application
  • hosting of overseas visiting fellows at Sussex (to be covered by SSRP Fellowship Fund).
Review criteria
  • evidence of need by project partners
  • evidence of how the proposed activity fits within a planned, sustained and strategic approach to engagement
  • demonstration of additionality to previous SSRP-funded activities.
Reporting requirements

Successful applicants will be expected to submit a very brief report on progress and outcomes to date. Reports will be expected after six months or at the end of the funding period.

SSRP Visiting Fellowship Fund (open now)

Our Visiting Fellowship Fund is designed to build collaborations with partner organisations and strengthen the international research network of SSRP and the University. Applications are encouraged from those not yet involved in SSRP activities, those from DAC listed countries and those working on collaborative research activities that specifically address research to help achieve the global sustainability goals for humanity and the environment. 

Overseas colleagues are invited to Sussex to work on outputs from joint research activities. Possible outputs may include, but are not limited to:

  • research proposals;
  • journal articles or other academic outputs;
  • policy briefs or other policy-relevant outputs;
  • and a lecture or seminar.

Proposed SSRP Visiting Fellows should be nominated by a Sussex applicant. The applicant is expected to have developed a clear plan for collaborative research outputs with the nominee, and the nominee should have agreed arrangements to cover their absence from their home institution.

Funding

Awards for this fund are limited to £3,000 and carry-over of funds into the next financial year (after 31st July 2024) will not be permitted. Funding under this scheme will cover the following for the Visiting Fellow:

  • Travel
  • Accommodation
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Subsistence (in line with the University’s set rates)
Ineligible costs

Because this fund is intended to foster substantive research collaboration, unfortunately it cannot be used to underwrite Visiting Fellows’ conference participation or their independent fieldwork. This fund will not pay:

  • Salary costs;
  • Consumables;
  • Equipment for the Visiting Fellow.

Further information can be found in the SSRP Visiting Fellowship Fund Guidance Document [DOCX 313.76KB].

Application process

To apply for the SSRP Impact fund, please complete this form and send it to SSRP Programme Manager, Sephora Imomoh, at s.m.imomoh@sussex.ac.uk. 

To apply for the SSRP Visiting Fellowship fund, please complete this form and send it to Sephora at the above email address.

Applications submitted after the deadline and incomplete applications will not be considered for this round of funding. The Director of SSRP may also invite applications.

Applications will be reviewed by the SSRP Directorate. These funds are available for SSRP-associated projects only. The deadline to apply is 31 March 2025.

Review criteria
  • rationale for collaboration between the applicant and nominee
  • appropriateness and likelihood of expected outcomes
  • importance of research questions underpinning the collaboration
  • value for money
  • importance of fellowship for the host School

Further information

If you would like to discuss your applications, give an early indication of intention to apply or have any further questions, please contact Sephora Imomoh, SSRP Senior Programme Manager, at s.m.imomoh@sussex.ac.uk.