Brighton-Sussex Collaborative Research Fund

The CRF will develop joint Brighton-Sussex research projects that enable substantive external research funding proposals and high quality outputs.  The scheme is designed to encourage innovative research through collaborations that would not otherwise have occurred, rather than to consolidate or provide further funding for existing collaborations.

Applications must be from two Principal Investigators, one from each university. The funded collaboration could take the form of a small pilot study or proof-of-concept research.  The scheme is intentionally flexible, recognising that different disciplines have different requirements for research development. This initiative is not intended to underwrite conference hosting, attendance or dissemination, nor should it be used as a bridging fund for current staff on short-term contracts. Priority will be given to new projects and new collaborations rather than extension to existing projects and inter-university relationships that are already established.  Expected outcomes include submission of a joint output and an external grant application within 12 months of the start date of the CRF funded project.

Duration: Projects would normally be expected to begin within 2 months of notification and run for a maximum of 12 months. 

Funding: Funds available for this first round are £30k and it is expected that 3-4 awards of a maximum of £10k each will be made.  Funds could be used for example to support lab based work, primary data collection, archival research, scoping activities, data analysis, practice-based research or web based research. Costs associated with networking and collaboration with external partners beyond Brighton and Sussex are eligible as long as they facilitate the Brighton-Sussex collaboration. If bidding for research assistance, applicants should indicate clearly what the assistant’s work would include

Ineligible costs: Teaching relief and capital equipment are not allowable costs under this initiative.

ELIGIBILITY

• The CRF is open to academic staff from all disciplines and must include an applicant from both the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.
• The CRF scheme welcomes bids from applicants returning from parental leave.
• Staff in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School are employees of the University of Sussex and can collaborate with colleagues from either Brighton or Sussex Universities but must provide evidence of how both Universities will benefit.
• Members of faculty on fixed-term contracts may apply if they are to be employed during the CRF funded project period and also during any externally funded project(s) which would occur after the CRF pump-priming activity.
• Staff on teaching-only contracts and research students are ineligible to apply to the CRF.

Applicants from both Universities are encouraged to read the Tips for applying to Sussex Research Internal Funding Schemes before writing their application.

Deadline: The deadline was Monday 15^th January 2018.  A schedule for round 2 has yet to be determined.