University of Oxford Strategic Innovation Fund

Next Divisional Deadline: 27 March 2026

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SRF) sseeks to accelerate the pace with which strategic research and innovation projects are developed into investable proposals. 

Its purpose is to increase the likelihood of Oxford’s excellent research achieving far-reaching impact, e.g. through attracting substantial external funding, advancing research translation, or driving societal and commercial benefits.

This is a strategic call, and applicants with pan-university bids are strongly encouraged to apply.

The SIF will NOT fund ‘business as usual' activity, overheads, studentship costs or activities that would more appropriately be supported by existing internal or external funding sources (e.g. the John Fell Fund). 

Full guidance on the Strategic Innovation Fund is available on the University's Research Support pages.

Application Process

Applications to the SRF require Divisional approval. Applicants should firstly contact research@law.ox.ac.uk to notify the Research Administration team of their interest in applying to this scheme. It is our preference that you contact us at minimum two weeks prior to your intended date of submission to the Social Sciences Division. The Division requests that applicants complete an Expression of Interest form and that this be sent to kanza.basit@socsci.ox.ac.uk.

Although applications can be sent whenever ready, unless the application is an urgent and extraordinary request the Division will only assess EOIs twice per year, in Hilary Term and Michaelmas Term (the submission deadlines will be Friday Week 4 of the term). The Hilary 2026 Divisional application deadline has been confirmed as 27 March 2026.

EOIs will be reviewed by a Divisional panel. If a project is selected for submission to the SIF, the Division will work with the applicant and Faculty Research Administrators in preparing a full SIF proposal. This will be submitted to SIF once ready and when the Division considers it appropriate.