The University of Sheffield
The School of Education

Sources of research-related funding in the School of Education

There are four sources of funds available in the School for research-related activity
(e.g. attendance at Conferences etc.)

The Learned Societies fund has now been delegated to the Departments which will enable a little more flexibility in our ability to respond positively to applications. The criteria for applications for Learned Societies will look to prioritize:

Early career researchers; staff on academic contracts; post-graduate research students. However, staff not on academic contracts will also be supported where possible, where the conference attendance relates to their areas of teaching.

The decision-making process for the award of all the above School-based funds will now be centralized under the overall jurisdiction of the Research Committee and the procedure for all applications to any of the above sources is as follows:

Applications to be forwarded to Helen Cutts, at edufinance@sheffield.ac.uk & k.kitchen@sheffield.ac.uk

Those applications will be considered by a sub-committee of the Research Committee chaired by the Deputy Director of Research during the following specified months within the academic year:

September; December; February; April.

Decisions made at the sub-committee will be reported to the Research Committee. As one would expect funds are very limited and in no way will these meet all our needs. It is the expectation, therefore, that any member of staff who has acquired external funding will utilize those funds where possible before drawing on School-based resources.

We will be looking to preserve funds for allocation across the academic year which will entail some rationing during the early meetings. However, should any individual applications for funding not be met in full during the early part of the year, they would be re-considered at the end of the academic year subject to any remaining funds being available.

In respect of Devolved travel applications, we would hope that staff could spread their entitlement since a fairly even distribution of allowances is assumed across the years. We could otherwise encounter cash-flow difficulties on this account.

Please also see the School’s document ‘Research Funding Guidance’ for more detailed information.

If you have any questions or require any further guidance on submitting your application please contact
Helen Cutts on 0114 2228092 or email edufinance@sheffield.ac.uk