How to apply for research funding

Applying for research funding is a collaborative process. Whether you are applying for a small research grant, a fellowship or a major collaborative award, the Research Support Team can support you from identifying a funding opportunity through to submitting your application.

The exact process varies depending on the funding scheme, but most applications follow the steps below. Please get in touch with us as early as possible so that we can advise you on the process and plan the support you will need.

1. Identify your research needs and find a funding opportunity

Start by thinking about what you want funding to enable you to do and identifying a funding scheme that is a good fit for your research.

You can search our current funding opportunities, use Research Professional, look out for our weekly Funding Opportunities emails, or search directly on funder websites.

Before deciding to apply, read the funder's guidance carefully. Check the eligibility criteria, deadline, funding available, duration of the award and any specific requirements, such as institutional partnerships or internal selection.

Not sure what type of funding you need or which scheme might be suitable? See Identify Your Research Needs or contact the Research Support Team to discuss your plans.

2. Plan ahead and contact us

Starting early gives us the best opportunity to support you in developing a strong application.

Funding applications can involve many different elements alongside the research proposal, including budgets, collaborators, supporting documents and Faculty or University approvals. For this reason, most applications require either 6 or 12 weeks' notice before the funder's deadline.

12 weeks' notice is required for:

• large grants (£200,000+); and
• medium grants involving collaboration.

6 weeks' notice is required for:

• small grants;
• fellowships (excluding postdoctoral fellowships); and
• medium grants without collaboration.

Some funding opportunities follow a different process. If you are unsure which notice period applies to your application, please contact the Research Support Team.

3. Submit your Intention to Apply

Once you have identified a funding opportunity, complete the online Intention to Apply form (Pink Form).

The form asks for key information about your proposed application, including the funding scheme, project, collaborators and expected timeline. This helps us understand your plans, identify any requirements or approvals at an early stage and plan the support you will need.

We will review your Intention to Apply and let you know if we need any further information before your application can move forward.

Please submit the form by the relevant 6- or 12-week internal deadline wherever possible. Applications received after the internal deadline will still be considered, but the support we can provide may be limited and we cannot guarantee that an application can be approved and submitted before the funder's deadline.

4. Develop your application

Once your application has been approved in principle, the Research Support Team will work with you to develop it for submission.

We can support you with:

• developing and refining your application;
• preparing the project budget;
• completing funder forms and application systems;
• coordinating required approvals and supporting documents;
• working with collaborators and other Oxford departments; and
• arranging peer feedback for larger applications, where appropriate.

Your budget should be developed alongside your research proposal. Depending on the project, costs might include researcher salaries, travel, research assistance, equipment, events, workshops and other research expenses.

Some applications may require additional arrangements, such as teaching buyout, new staff appointments, letters of support or agreements with collaborators. Identifying these requirements early gives us time to put the necessary arrangements in place.

Throughout this stage, we will work with you to make sure the application meets the funder's requirements and is ready for University approval.

5. Final approval and submission

Before an external funding application can be submitted, it must complete the University's approval process.

The Research Support Team will carry out final checks, coordinate any required Faculty approvals and finalise the project costing before passing the application to Research Services for review and authorisation.

Research Services may request amendments or further information before approving the application. We will work with you to address these as necessary.

Once all approvals are complete, the application will be submitted to the funder. Depending on the funder and application system, either you or Research Services will make the final submission. We will confirm when your application has been successfully submitted.

6. What happens after submission?

The funder will assess your application and make a decision. Timescales and assessment processes vary between funders, and you may be asked to provide additional information during the review process.

If your application is successful, the award will normally be made to the University of Oxford rather than directly to you. The Research Support Team will work with you and colleagues across the University to put the necessary arrangements in place for your project to begin.

For information about what happens next, see Managing Projects.

You don't need to have a completed proposal before contacting us. If you are thinking about applying for research funding, get in touch with the Research Support Team as early as possible and we can help you plan the next steps.