Research Support Fund – Application Procedure
Application Procedure
- Applications should be made through the following online forms. Applications will normally be decided in about six weeks, but early application is recommended and at least three months should be allowed whenever possible.
– Applications for standard Research Support Fund activities: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EMSRSF/
Closing dates for standard applications are as follows: 10 September, 10 November, 10 January, 10 March and 10 May. Please see the points below for putting together a standard application. - Give details of any other financial support, or applications for support, for instance from home Departments or other grant-giving bodies. The seeking of matched funds is encouraged. Explain why adequate support is not available from well-established sources like the Research Councils. Importance is placed on supporting kinds of activity for which such funding is not available or difficult to obtain.
- A self-contained case for support should be provided. It should not exceed three sides of typescript and should include:
- A financial breakdown with costings and explanations of how the money is to be used.
- An explicit explanation as to why the Edinburgh Mathematical Society is an appropriate funding body.
- It should also cover the following points where applicable:
- “Visitors”. Brief biographical details of the visitor, brief summary of the applicant’s research activities over the last five years, description of the visit and explanation of its purpose.
- “Conferences, Workshops etc”. Description of the purpose and expected size of the meeting, list of invited speakers or participants (if possible). Explain the relationship of the applicant to the organising body. Please see our guidance on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and include a brief statement addressing EDI in your proposal.
- “Publications”. Purpose of the publication and (where appropriate) the main contributors.
- Awards should normally be claimed within three months of the end of the event being supported. The normal claim procedure for recipients is expected to be the following:
- Awardee’s institution pays expenses up front as per the usual institutional procedures.
- After all spending is complete, awardee requests that their institution sends an invoice for the amount spent to the Treasurer, who will arrange payment to the institution.
Notes
The following notes are designed to answer some common questions, and to lay out guidelines to make the most effective use of the Fund, ensuring that it is spread as widely and fairly as possible.
- Applicants are urged to bear in mind that the Research Support Fund currently makes awards totalling about 30,000 pounds per year.
- Highest priority will be given to first time applicants, while low priority will be given to repeat applications (i.e. recurring meeting support, or yearly recurring support for the same visitor/host).
- First time applicants and others who need advice are encouraged to discuss their application with the Research Support Fund Convener before submission.
- Awards will normally be paid to the applicant’s institution.
- An upper limit on awards of 3000 pounds will normally apply for support of conferences.
- An upper limit on awards of 1200 pounds for grants to support research visits will normally apply. However, this maximum will only be given for visits of a substantial duration, and proportionately smaller grants will be made for shorter visits. Additionally, joint applications may be made by applicants at different institutions, where the visitor will spend a significant time at each institutions – such applications will be limited to 1500 pounds. For more precise information, contact the Research Support Fund Convener before submission of an application. These amounts will be reviewed from time to time.
- An upper limit on awards of 3000 pounds per calendar year for each applicant will normally apply. An exception is made when a single application for conference support is made that exceeds this limit.
- The committee will not normally consider applications from individuals for their travel and/or subsistence expenses in connection with attendance at conferences or research visits.
- The Fund will not contribute towards the cost of social events such as receptions, conference dinners etc.
- Awards may not be used to pay institutional overheads (e.g. charges for lecture rooms).
- If a grant is awarded, then a short report on the activity supported should be sent to the EMS. This should include a brief, but complete, financial statement.
- Any profit from any activity supported by the Fund should first of all be used to refund the grant (pro rata with other grant awarding bodies).