Over the last year we have been reviewing our support for interdisciplinary and co-produced projects, exploring what aspects of it still work for those involved, which parts need rethinking and how we might also better prepare projects to apply for larger-scale funding. The outcome of this reflection is that we will stop providing Seedcorn and Ideas Exchange funding, and instead will develop a different model for support that includes people from the outset in developing themed initiatives at a larger scale.

We are piloting this new model with the theme, Postcolonial natural history collections and museum and archive practices

How does Brigstow Funding now work?

Each funding cycle will be themed around a co-produced topic that will emerge from the collective interests of our community. You can be involved in some, or all stages of the process. We will tailor each thematic cycle to be responsive to the funded teams and any partners. The cycle is broken up into three stages that roughly span a year long process. There will be three cycles within a 2 year period, at points running concurrently.

Stage 1. Collaboration

A series of events including an ideation workshop, excursions and writing circles that help connect interdisciplinary teams who may not have previously met to form ideas around the theme. Or support ideas that might already be bubbling to the surface and to connect those outside of the University with University staff engaged in research or vice versa.

Stage 2. Connections Funding 

Up to five teams will be awarded £1000 and given three months to develop and solidify growing ideas, partnerships and plans that have come out of the collaboration stage. During this time the Brigstow team will be on hand to support you with this process by offering a series of workshops around potential funding schemes, using our toolkits to navigate co-produced research, and thinking about how creative methods can be employed.

Stage 3. Exploratory Research Funding 

Having now been through the idea's development and knowledge exchange stages, teams should be in a position to apply for funding to help them carry out their research project. A pot of funding worth £30 000 will be available to allow one or more of the teams from the Connections Stage to come together, explore common themes and apply to further develop and complete their research project in full. We’ll support the other teams who are unsuccessful in this process to progress their ideas and make bids elsewhere.

How are the themes chosen?

The themes are coproduced with our community responding to the energy and ideas held by you.