The Lancaster University Joy Welch Grants Fund provides an annual opportunity for Lancaster researchers to secure funding for post-doctoral research.

Research across all discipline areas is open to consideration. The total budget for the 2025-26 call is confirmed at £100,000 and a minimum of 12 awards will be made.

Lancaster researchers are invited to apply for small grants which can run for up to 12 months in duration.

Opening date: Monday 5 January

Closing date: Friday 27 February at 5pm

Award announcements: Wednesday 1 April

Eligibility

Any member of Lancaster University’s post-doctoral (or equivalent experience) academic or research staff at any career stage, engaged in a contract that extends beyond the lifetime of the proposed project, is eligible to apply. Where you are not a Principal Investigator (PI) on your current research, your PI/line manager should support your submission.

Only one Joy Welch Grant may be applied for by any one person in each academic year.

Find out more and apply

Further information including Application Criteria, Application Form, and Conditions of Award are available on the Research Services Calls and Opportunities webpage.