Pre-award
The Research Services Team (RS) provide assistance to academic colleagues in preparing and submitting funding applications and managing new awards. Their remit includes: understanding and explaining funder requirements; preparing budgets; supporting internal peer review processes; formally submitting and accepting awards on behalf of the University; co-ordinating approvals for new research staff appointments and contracts; arranging internal ethics screening; providing management information on applications and awards.
The School Research Support Manager (RSM) additionally provides strategic research support to the Head of School, Director of Research and School Research Committee.
Research Support Officers (RSO) are usually the primary contact and interface between the RS and the researcher(s) preparing a research funding application. Their primary role is to advise on project costing and the submission requirements to ensure the application complies with University and funder rules. They will also advise on what items you should consider building into your research project design, and direct you to the other parts of the team to provide the specialist input you may need (Knowledge Exchange and Impact, Research IT Support, Business Engagement, etc.).
The research services team also has access to the Faculty Grant Facilitator Team who are available on request to work with academics on large, strategic grants and to support early career researchers. The Grant Facilitator will work alongside the RSO to co-ordinate the grant preparation process and requests for Grant Facilitator assistance should be submitted via the Research Services Team.
Research impact is an increasingly important part of the research landscape. The research team, alongside our dedicated Knowledge Exchange and Impact Officer can assist in the assessment and management of impact requirements within the lifecycle of a research project, both pre and post-award.
Guideline timetable
There are many steps involved in the lifecycle of a research grant from its inception to completion. The exact detail, and sometimes the sequence, can vary from project to project. However, the key elements are similar and an awareness of these steps can help you to develop your application and manage your award successfully, and RSS colleagues are there to assist and advise you at every stage of the lifecycle of your project. The main stages are as follows.
- Bid preparation
- Approval
- Bid submission
- Application decision and handover
- Project commencement
- Project award management
- Project award closure
Guideline timetable for proposals
When you are looking to apply for a grant, the following timetable is recommended as a minimum
Budget under £100k:
| 4 weeks before deadline | Notify Research Office of intention to bid |
| 2 weeks before deadline | Draft proposal and budget for peer review (DA or School review) |
| 1 week before deadline | Peer review comments returned to PI |
| During final week before | Application submitted by PI and School approval deadline |
| Deadline | Approve submission |
Budget between £100k - £1 million:
| 6 weeks before deadline | Notify Research Office of intention to bid |
| 4 weeks before deadline | Draft proposal and budget for peer review (DA or School review) |
| 2 weeks before deadline | Peer review comments returned to PI |
| 1 week before deadline | Application submitted by PI and School Approval |
| Deadline | Approve submission |
Budget over £1m:
| 3 months+ (minimum) | Notify Research Office of intention to bid before deadline |
| 1 month before deadline | Draft proposal and budget for peer review (DA or School review) |
| 3 weeks before deadline | Peer review comments returned to PI |
| 2 weeks before deadline | Approval by Faculty and School |
| 1 week before deadline | Application submitted |
| Deadline | Approve submission |
Costing and pricing
The costing and pricing of a research project application is one of the most important elements of the grant application process that RSS colleagues provide. All applications must be costed by RSS staff to reflect accurate and current costs. Applicants should not recycle previous costings for new applications. The RSS team follows the University cost recovery policy and are expert in costing applications to ensure they comply with funding eligibility guidelines. They have access to specialist costing tools and experience of previous successful applications, and will structure budgets in an appropriate and competitive manner, ensuring principles of Full Economic Costing are followed correctly. In addition there is a specific University policy for the costing and pricing for research contracts classified as ‘business engagement’ contracts, which RSS colleagues are responsible for implementing and will work with you accordingly to ensure these requirements are followed.