Policy Support Fund: Evidence-based policy making 

The University has received an additional allocation from Research England’s 21-22 Policy Support Fund (PSF) for research activity that supports evidence-based policy making.

The PSF is intended to support universities in undertaking research with local, regional, national and international structures (including parliament, central government, devolved administrations, local government, health and education bodies, the justice system and other regulatory organisations). In particular, the PSF supports activities that address particular economic and social issues and priorities facing different local areas. 

Targetted Research Areas: The University has identified two priority areas to be supported through this allocation and is seeking applications for policy relevant research under the broad topics of Sustainability and Brexit.  The expectation is that a single award of up to £70k will be made in each of the priority areas.  Applicants must demonstrate that they have consulted widely to generate project ideas and to ensure inclusive engagement with colleagues across campus.

Eligible activities: Funds can be used to support the scaling up of activity already taking place and the pursuit of new directions, with particular attention to local challenges.  Research activity could include: 

• New research working in partnership with policymakers, particularly to better understand local, regional or national challenges;
• Extending and scaling up existing related research activity;
• Facilitating the use of existing research and the exchange of knowledge between universities and policymakers;
• Activity aimed at improving the dialogue between universities and policymakers;
• Activity and training to better equip academics, including postgraduate researchers and early career researchers, to communicate effectively with policymakers;
• Partnerships and collaborations aimed at supporting evidence-based policy making;
• The exchange of people, e.g. staff secondments, contributing towards professional doctorates in policy, joint PhDs etc.

Funding: up to £70k is available for projects which must have completed by 31 March 2022.  We recognise that this is a challenging timeframe but it is a Research England deadline.  Funds can be used to support new projects that would incur costs between mid-December and 31 March 2022 and can also be used to cover costs of eligible activity already incurred between 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022.

Eligibility: The scheme is open to Sussex faculty from all disciplines.  Faculty on fixed-term contracts may apply if they will be employed at Sussex during the proposed funded project period.  Research students are ineligible to apply.  However, postgraduate researchers are eligible to be Co-Investigators.

Further information: is available in the scheme specification and application form.

Deadline: applications must be submitted to research.initiatives@sussex.ac.uk by 12 noon on Monday 22nd November 2020.

Contact

If you would like to discuss your application please contact Debbie Foy, D.Foy@sussex.ac.uk

All costing queries should be directed to Taryn Collins, research.initiatives@sussex.ac.uk