Overview
The Nuffield , the Foundation will run a revised Small Grants Scheme until the end of 2010 or until funds are exhausted – whichever is the sooner.
Individual grants can be made for larger amounts than previously but, as the budget remains unchanged, a smaller number of grants will be made. Under the revised scheme, the Foundation will offer grants of up to £15,000, though budgets are always scrutinised for value for money. They expect the new scheme to be extremely competitive.
The Foundation's Trustees categorise projects within the Small Grants Scheme into those that will develop social science research capacity, either of the PI or of a promising research assistant; small self-contained or pilot social science projects; outstanding small projects in the social sciences.
The Foundation's Trustees categorise projects within the Small Grants Scheme. There is no quota system, and applications may fall into one, or more than one, category. Applicants will need to decide into which category or categories their project falls. These categories are:
- Category 1: Projects which will develop social science research capacity, either of the PI or of a promising research assistant;
- Category 2: Small self-contained or pilot social science projects
- Category 3: Outstanding small projects in the social sciences.
The Small Grants Scheme is open to outstanding research projects (that, like projects funded within categories 1 and 2, fall within the substantive interests of the Foundation). However, only work that receives the highest grading from social science peer reviewers is likely to be funded under this category. Applications should state why the work is outstanding. They expect to fund only a small proportion of applications, so the standard of competition will be extremely high.
Thematic Areas
The Small Grants Scheme is open only to applications for research of substantive interest to the Foundation. This means that it must fall within one or more of the categories below. The application form asks applicants to identify the category into which the research falls, but the Foundation reserves the right to make its own decision about eligibility.
Relevant to Foundation's main research programme areas:
- Children and families
- Education
- Law and society
In addition to proposals that fall within the Foundation's main research programme areas, the Trustees will consider ones addressing:
- Older people and their finances (including pensions and costs of care)
- Government, law-making and constitutional change
- Poverty and Disadvantage
- The UK and Europe, including cross-country comparative research
- Development in Africa
Who can apply
Applicants must work in Higher Education Institutions or Independent Research Institutes.
They make awards only to people who have a post with a permanent contract, or have a research contract with one year to run beyond the planned completion date of the project, in a university or independent research institute in the UK. The grants are administered by the researcher’s institution and are not paid to applicants personally.
Applicants may apply to the Scheme even if they have previously had a Small Grant, but may only hold one Small Grant at any one time.
How to apply
Potential applicants should first read the Guidelines to ascertain whether they and their proposed research are eligible for consideration.
The Scheme does not have a closing date and accept applications throughout the year. They aim to make decisions within twelve weeks, although it may sometimes take a little longer.