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Enhancing Research & Innovation Cultures Fund

Enhancing Research & Innovation Cultures Fund

The Enhancing Research & Innovation Cultures Fund (ERIC)

The first round of Queen Mary’s Enhancing Research and Innovation Culture (ERIC) fund in 2023/24 funded 18 projects based across our faculties and professional service teams with project leads from all career stages. These many varied projects illustrate how building and sustaining a positive research culture is rooted in collaboration across the QM community.

What is Research Culture?

To help understand what we mean by research culture, we refer to the Royal Society’s definition:

“Research culture encompasses the behaviours, values, expectations, attitudes and norms of our research communities. It influences researchers’ career paths and determines the way that research is conducted and communicated.”

As part of Strategy 2030, QM is dedicated to nurturing a world-class research culture for our entire community, as part of our ambition to be the most inclusive university of its kind, anywhere, by 2030.

ERIC research culture themes

Applications to the second round of the ERIC fund should fall under one of the following four themes:

Theme 1 - Research Leadership

Projects that inspire colleagues to achieve QM’s goals whilst modelling a supportive and entrepreneurial atmosphere that helps others reach their potential. Examples could include mentoring schemes or other career development initiatives, or workshops/training in a targeted skillset.

Examples of projects funded in 2023/24 that fell within this theme include the School of Politics and International Relation’s mentoring scheme for mid-career scholars and underrepresented groups (‘How to Thrive Beyond First Promotion’), and the Doctoral College’s Interdisciplinary Leadership Programme for PGRs.

Theme 2 - Responsible Research & Innovation

Projects that ensure we are conducting rigorous research in an honest, open and responsible way. Projects could concentrate on creating a culture of trust and collegiality, or focus on improving processes to ensure thorough and productive work and encourage innovation.

Examples of projects funded in 2023/24 that fell within this theme include Queen Mary Innovation’s delivery of Impact and Commercialisation Workshops, and the Centre for Creative Collaboration’s Creating Communities of Practice with the Cultural Sector.

Theme 3 - Research Community

Projects that connect colleagues within and outside of QM, and create inclusive environments where everyone can flourish and innovate. Examples could include creating networks based on location, career stage or EDI characteristics.

Examples of projects funded in 2023/24 that fell within this theme include the School of Geography’s REF Research Mentorship Programme, and the Whitechapel Postdoc Forum.

Theme 4 - Research Collaboration

Bringing people together to inspire curiosity and innovation and allow fresh partnerships to develop. This could be through networking events, retreats, lecture series or any format that creates new dialogue about potential research.

Examples of projects funded in 2023/24 that fell within this theme include Writing Workshops and Retreats in the School of English and Drama, and the Cultivating Interdisciplinary Health Humanities project between FMD and HSS.

Please note that the examples given are not exhaustive - there are many other activities that align with these themes.

Funding Streams

The scheme will be open to all researchers and research supporting staff, including PGRs, Postdocs, Early Career Researchers, established researchers, technicians, and any member of staff who supports research or researchers in a professional service department. The scheme will allocate money via two streams:

  1. Grass roots grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects with potential to create particular benefit in their immediate area – this could be as small a unit as a center or a professional services or technical team.
  2. Project grants of up to £30,000 are available for larger pieces of work which will add benefit across a number of teams.

Panel and Assessment Criteria

The assessment panel will be chaired by Professor Tim Warner, in his capacity as a member of the Research & Innovation Board and as the chair of QM’s People, Culture and Environment work-stream as part of preparations for REF 2029. The panel will include a representative from each faculty, as well as representatives from the postdoc and technician communities, and from a professional services department.

The panel will be encouraged to interpret research and innovation culture as broadly as possible and consider the eligibility of each application in that light, as well as consider how proposed projects can support collaboration across QM.

Applications deemed eligible will be assessed against three main criteria:

  1. Rationale: how effectively will the project address a clear research culture need or priority?
  2. Evidence: how effectively will the project measure and evidence its success?
  3. Delivery: can the project and its related spend be completed by 31 July 2025?

 

Applications from successful projects in 2023/2024

Projects awarded ERIC funding in 2023/24 are encouraged to apply to the fund again if they wish to continue or expand their project. Applications will need to complete an additional question in the application form where they detail how an additional grant of ERIC funding will meaningfully advance the impact of their project and justify why funds for its continuation cannot be sought elsewhere.

Application Process and Timelines

Each project supported by the ERIC fund will need to address a clear research culture need or priority and to demonstrate how they will evidence capture and evaluation into its design. This is to allow the research culture team to report back to Research England on how the funds have been spent and how they have advanced research culture at QM.

  • Applications open – Monday 30th September
  • Applications close – Tuesday 12th November (5pm)
  • Panel sessions – in week commencing 9th December
  • Decisions announced – week commencing 16th December

Each project will be required to spend its funding by 31st July 2025 and report back to the research culture team on the project’s results.

All applications should be discussed with your line manager before submission.

To apply, please use this application form.

 

Help with your application

Are you interested in learning more about the ERIC fund and the scope of projects it might fund? Then consider attending one of our two drop-in sessions led by the Research Culture team.

These will take place via MS Teams at the following dates and times:

Thursday 10 October – 13:00-13:45

Thursday 24 October – 11:00-11:45

Please email researchculture@qmul.ac.uk to reserve a space.

If you would like to discuss project ideas informally or have specific questions about how to frame your application, then you can also book a 1-2-1 with a member of the Research Culture team by emailing researchculture@qmul.ac.uk.

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