A diagram of the Research Development Timeline can be viewed here: Timeline Diagram

Starting Point A – Funding Call

• Contact RDO with full details of the call and deadline, to discuss feasibility and appropriate plan of support for submission

Starting Point B – Research Idea

• Contact your RDO who will be able to assist you in setting up a RESEARCHConnect funding alert and can facilitate contact with potential internal collaborators

Starting Point C – Invitation to Collaborate

• Contact your RDO with full details of the call and deadline, to discuss feasibility and appropriate plan of support for submission including support for liaison with collaborators/external RDOs.

In all cases:

• Read and understand the funder website & call. Talk to the funder if necessary, they ARE willing to discuss if your proposal is appropriate or not!
  • Send on a 1-2 page outline of your proposed research (helps RDO work out a plan of support for submission)
  • Speak to HoD/Departmental Research Director
  • Is there a cap on the number of applications submitted from an individual institution? Check demand management requirements (if any) with RDO as there may be an internal selection process
  • Your RDO will invite you to complete and return a costing proforma and can provide additional support with budget and resource planning.

Process to develop research proposal >M1

Support can be provided by your RDO for:

• Developing you Case for Support (CfS) taking into account funder guidance
• Support for establishing internal collaborators as well as facilitating contact with external consortium and RDO equivalents
• Draft budget & resource planning including examples of successful budgets and advice on resources
• PI advised consultant guidance on the departmental Peer Review process and identification of a peer reviewer

Proposal development >M2

• Work with your RDO on the processes outlined in the previous section as well as support for institutional approvals and advice regarding institutional letters of support and University Policy & Resources Group (UPRG) match funding/institutional contributions
• Remain in contact with your internal/external consortium collaborators and their RDOs if relevant
• Make use of the bid library for examples of successful proposals
• Get acquainted with funder submission portals i.e. JeS

Your RDO can also provide further support with and signposting for Impact Plans, Data Management Plans & Justification for Resources (JoR)

8 weeks to deadline - proposal finalised > M3

• Contact maintained with RDO to establish additional areas of support required as outlined under Proposal Development including additional funder attachments
• Review the CfS and incorporate any feedback as required
• Ensure Institutional approvals in place in relation to institutional letters of support and UPRG requests for match funding/institutional contributions
• Peer review in place and feedback incorporated
• RDO and RSA will start to add the budget into ACP and to make contact with any collaborators.

3-5 weeks to deadline – submission finalised >M4

• Ensure all sections in the application and on the funder submission portals are complete and correct
• Take into account that on heavily subscribed calls delays on the portal can occur, so plans should be in place to submit as far as possible in advance of the deadline.

1-2 Weeks to deadline – submission imminent >M5

• CfS together with any additional funder-specific attachments and budget completed. Institutional approvals in place.
• PI and RDO should maintain close contact during these final stages however please note it is the responsibility of the PI to submit the proposal.

What happens next?

The funder will review your proposal. The timescale depends on the call/funder. If you are successful, RSO Post-award team will help you manage your grant. Even if you are unsuccessful, you may be able to get feedback from the funder, which you should take on board for future resubmissions or rewrites to another funder.