The 2022 spring round has now closed. We anticipate the next round to be announced in October 2022.
The aim of the funding
The scheme aims to support recently appointed University Lecturers to provide them with start-up funds, which can help in attracting further external funding. In line with the main goal of the scheme, priority for funding will be given to those University Lecturers who do not already have substantial existing funding. Key criteria for funding will be the quality of the proposed research and its potential to lead to an application to an external funder.
Eligibility
Applicants must be University Lecturers who have been appointed in the last three years. Applicants must be based at Cambridge as the Isaac Newton Trust does not fund research undertaken by PIs based outside the University of Cambridge.
Duration
The research grants are for up to 12 months, and the successful applicants will have 12 months to start the award.
Funding available
Applicants can budget up to £55,000 – where 50% (up to £27,500) will be provided by the Isaac Newton Trust, and the remaining 50% (up to £27,500) must be provided by the hosting Department. The departmental contribution must come from departmental funds, not another research grant. Only directly incurred and directly allocated costs are allowed as eligible expenditure and support can be sought to fund PDRA support, equipment, travel, and ancillary consumables. PI time or student fees are not eligible.
Internal process
Applicants are usually required to submit the following information (exact details for the next round will be confirmed in autumn 2022):
- Proposal with the breakdown of the budget, clearly outlining the amount requested from INT and the match-funding offered by the host department (max 2 pages A4)
- CV and publications, specifying the date the University of Cambridge lectureship commenced/will commence (max 2 pages A4)
- Head of Department support letter, outlining why they recommend the project for funding and confirming that the department will provide 50% of the project cost.
- Information about funding received to date, to include:
- starting packages received when appointed to the lectureship at the University of Cambridge;
- all research funding, including fellowships, to date (to include: the amount, the funder, and start and end dates – if awarded before joining Cambridge, please specify whether the grant has been/will be transferred to the University of Cambridge – and if yes, what amount/percentage of the original grant).
- An explanation of how this proposal relates to your current funding and how it would lead to future large-grant funding (max 1 page A4).
Please note:
- unsuccessful applicants to this scheme cannot apply to the Isaac Newton Trust directly for support for the same project;
- successful applicants cannot apply to the Isaac Newton Trust directly for matching funding for this scheme.