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Follow these guidelines when considering your application:

Write clear research aims

Be clear in your funding application about what research question or challenge your project will solve. What opportunity will it unlock? Remember, the funding is not just about money – the purpose of the research and what it will achieve is key.

Ask yourself questions on what the funding will be spent on and articulate this in the application, for example:

  • What is special about the research and where is this funding going to take the work.
  • What will it deliver in the field and for society?
  • Explore opportunities to work together. Who are the co-applicants, collaborators and colleagues and what are each contributing to strengthen the application?
  • Consider if it will it help you apply your research in another context, or enable an international comparison.

Communicate the unique selling points

Think about:

  • What is special about the research and where is this funding going to take the work.
  • What will it deliver in the field and for society?
  • Who are the co-applicants, collaborators and colleagues and what each individual is going to contribute to strengthen the application?

Collaborate with other academics

The easiest way to get your first grant is to collaborate on someone else’s project:

  • Ask your collaborator to review your draft application.
  • Explore opportunities to work together.

Understand the funder

This involves understanding their strategic objectives:

  • Read their guidelines carefully and ensure your application embodies the spirit and language of the funder’s own ambitions whilst adhering to the rules and guidance of the competition;
  • Talk to the programme manager about the current opportunity.
  • Talk to colleagues in the Research Development Team, who can help to gather background information and help you cost, focus and develop your proposal.
  • Get support from your colleagues.
  • Keep an eye out for funding made available within the University – we have a number of schemes available throughout the year to help develop ideas and partnerships.
  • Leverage funding from your Research Director, Head of School or Associate Dean (Research & Innovation).
  • Keep asking for support. Whether it be an institutional endorsement of your proposal or a financial contribution.
  • Keep an eye open for grant writing workshops throughout the year.

If you require further assistance, the Research Development team has created a repository of successful grant applications that have been submitted and awarded to Principal Investigators in the institution, we have included applications from as broad a range of funders and schemes as possible. Ulster University staff can request access to the repository via their Research Development Manager when developing their application.

Alternatively, if a staff member has been successfully awarded funding and they wish to give permission for a redacted copy of their application to be included on the Document Repository. Please make your Research Development Manager aware.