The IRDF is open to all members of the research community, including, but not limited to, staff involved in Interdisciplinary Research Spotlight leadership teams.

A single Principal Investigator should be identified but each project must have at least one Co-I from a different Faculty.

Applicants should normally be a University employee in an academic post, or be the holder of an externally funded fellowship. Staff on non-academic contracts are eligible to apply as co-leads if they would be eligible to be included on an externally funded interdisciplinary research project application. All applicants must have at least 12 months left to run on their employment contract or Fellowship as of 1st August 2024.

Applications must be made via the IRDF application form.

The maximum page limits on the application form must not be exceeded. Any material beyond these page limits will not be considered.

Single line spacing can be used and the font should be no smaller than 11pt Arial.

Please note that all applications must include endorsements from the Heads of Department of each applicant (PI and Co-Is).

The Head of Department of the PI should also outline how the project supports Departmental and University strategy, including in relation to the Spotlights.

Completed applications should be emailed by the Principal Investigator to SpotlightsRDF@warwick.ac.uk by 1pm on 16 September 2024.

Before applying, please read our full Terms and Conditions regarding eligibility and eligible costs.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel nominated by the PVC Research.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Scope: alignment with one or more of the Interdisciplinary Research Spotlights and potential to enhance or complement the activities of the Spotlight/s
• Interdisciplinarity of the proposed collaboration, including generation of novel partnerships with the potential to enhance Warwick’s research profile
• Importance: proposed project’s relevance to global challenges and funder priorities
• Clarity of objectives and methodology
• Capacity to deliver on project aims
• Pathway to external funding applications
• Viability of the project activities in the funding period
• Value for money

The following conditions apply to all IRDF awards:

General

• Awards are non-repayable grants (except in the case of conferences or other events which make a profit).

• Projects can start from 1 August 2024 and must be completed by 31 July 2025 as funds are not available past this date and unspent funds cannot be rolled forward.

• Appropriate ethical approval has been sought and granted where necessary.

• Collaborations should aim to be inclusive.

• There must be no significant additional space or equipment implications that cannot be accommodated within the Department(s) involved.

• Awards are non-repayable grants (except in the case of conferences or other events which make a profit).

• Projects can start from 1 August 2024 and must be completed by 31 July 2025 as funds are not available past this date and unspent funds cannot be rolled forward.

• Collaborations should aim to be inclusive.

• There must be no significant additional space or equipment implications that cannot be accommodated within the Department(s) involved.

Funding limits

The IRDF will normally award up to a maximum of £15,000; the minimum is £5,000. The panel will consider bids up to a value of £25,000 in exceptional circumstances. However, each application will be evaluated by value for money as well as other criteria. Therefore, the costs requested should be fully justified.

Eligible costs

• Eligible costs include direct staff costs, consumables, travel, accommodation and all other items required for the project.
• Equipment requests will not be supported other than in very exceptional circumstances. Any requests for specialist equipment should be fully justified by the Head of department as well as the applicant. Building and refurbishment costs are ineligible under this scheme.
• The IRDF will not support requests for PI or Co-I time, estates and indirect costs. These costs should not be included in the budget.
• If any advice is needed on costing, please contact the R&IS team.
  
  

Epigeum Research Integrity Training

The University takes seriously its commitment towards the provision of a healthy research culture for all staff, students and research participants. Applicants to SIRDF are therefore strongly encouraged to undertake either the full or condensed version of the Epigeum Research Integrity Training which can be accessed here. Please note that completion of this training will be reviewed when applying for any future internal funds.

Reporting Requirements

• All successful applicants will be required to provide a brief report within one month of the end of the funding period. This report should detail the use of the funds, achievement of outputs from the award, how the activities have contributed to the Spotlights, future plans to build on the work done and further funding applications made or planned.
• A second report will be required one year after the end of the funding period in order to further assess outputs from the IRDF grant.
• Report forms will be made available shortly.