Strong partnerships and engagement with the major funders of research are an important strategic focus for the University of Cambridge. The relationships with the relevant programme and portfolio managers of the research funder organisations are managed directly by the departments and researchers. However, Research Councils and some charities and trusts are increasingly proactively engaging with the Universities which are top recipients of their funding to develop stronger mutual relationships and partnerships.
The Research Strategy Office supports the University, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and the Heads of School in coordinating and maintaining institutional relationships with the Research Councils and other major funders of research such as charities and trusts. We support the development of strong and effective partnerships with the research funders by:
- Building a deeper understanding of strategic thinking and priorities of both organisations at the senior level and facilitating an effective dialogue between the two organisations;
- Coordinating University responses to research funder initiatives that require institutional input, alignment with the institutional priorities and development of institutional knowledge, such as institutional proposals and reports, responses to consultations and information requests and similar;
- Organising regular visits and managing and supporting interactions between the two organisations;
- Ensuring that there is effective communication and information sharing and dissemination between the two organisations.
Please contact us at researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk if you would like help in establishing contact with a research funder.