SSRP Funding

SSRP Funds

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

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

We have 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 £5,000 and applications are particularly encouraged from those not yet involved in SSRP activities, and those from DAC listed countries. Please apply by Friday 31 March 2023, 17:00 GMT. 

SSRP Impact Fund

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).

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).

Application process

Requests for funds may be submitted at any time using the SSRP Impact Fund Application Form [DOCX 478.88KB]. The Director of SSRP may also invite applications. Applications will be reviewed by the SSRP Secretariat and Directorate and if applicable, members of the SSRP Programme Management Group. These funds are available for SSRP-associated projects only.

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 

We have 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. 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 £5,000 and carry-over of funds into the next financial year (after 31st July 2023) 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 2023 Guidance Document [DOCX 313.74KB].

Application process

Please complete the SSRP Visiting Fellowship Fund Application Form [DOCX 478.23KB] and return to k.hiscock@sussex.ac.uk by Friday 31 March 2023, 17:00 GMT. 

Applications submitted after the deadline and incomplete applications will not be considered for this round of funding. Applications will be reviewed by the SSRP Directorate.

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 Katie Hiscock, SSRP Programme Manager, at k.hiscock@sussex.ac.uk.