Find out about the latest Research Calls and Funding Opportunities.
Calls and OpportunitiesThis section is routinely updated with news and announcements from Research Services, including training dates, new services and upcoming events.
Lancaster has a stated strategic priority of remaining a research-intensive and financially sustainable university.
Lancaster University encourages researchers to undertake the very best research and, where appropriate, to deploy internal ‘match’ funds to support this. Several funders, particularly UKRI, have updated their funding policies recently, bringing greater clarity as to when match funding by institutions is not expected, and highlighting where such contributions will no longer be a factor in the approval and award of research grants. Additional measures on equipment costs also took effect from 1 April 2025 and please see details of the full UKRI announcement details of the full UKRI announcement.
In the light of this new UKRI policy, we have considered our approach to match funding support for externally funded research proposals. We want to emphasise that our community are encouraged to continue to exercise the freedom to apply to the most appropriate funder and associated scheme that best suits their work. The University remains committed to our research endeavours while it is critical that we also address financial sustainability to ensure our future. We strongly support and encourage our researchers to seek financial support for their research from external funders, and in many cases, this is essential for their research to progress and succeed. Further, University support for our research community can be demonstrated in letters of support (when required) without the need for explicit match funding.
Frequent queries still arise about institutional contributions to research funding, particularly in collaborative bids where partners might seek agreement of match funding from all partners for a submission and hence the following is provided by way of guidance in such instances:
The University has a revised due diligence process for research and enterprise activities and a new policy on acceptance of funding for external research and enterprise activities.
Lancaster University places great value on our collaborative partnerships as these enrich our research and teaching. As a responsible research organisation, we need to understand who we are partnering with and assess any reputational, financial and operational risks involved. Additionally, there is increasing emphasis on Trusted Research and Innovation and national security and we are required to have policies and processes for appropriate and proportionate risk-based due diligence on international partnerships and collaborations.
Our due diligence process is designed to assess and mitigate potential risks and provide assurance that partner organisations outside of the UK have the capacity, probity and expertise to carry out the activities requested of them. The RES website had further details on the due diligence process as well as information and guidance on Trusted Research and Innovation, Export Controls and due diligence. RES staff can also provide support and guidance so please contact them for information.
