Exploratory research funding webinar

This can happen as you explore different ideas and partnerships during the Connections phase. The emphasis of the research should still be within the theme, and it will be assessed as a completely new application, as will all other applications. Remember that the reviewers will not know the trajectory your initial explorations have taken, so we would suggest explaining this in your application so that they are aware how you have come to your new idea.

If your ideas no longer fall within the theme, please make contact with us and we will help you explore alternative funding options.

This can happen if the focus or approach of the project has changed or if team members do not have the capacity to continue on the same basis.

The important point is that the emphasis of the research should still be within the theme, and it will be assessed as a completely new application, as will all the other applications received at the closing date. Remember that the reviewers will not know the trajectory your initial team would have taken, so we would suggest explaining this in your application so that they are aware how you have developed your team.

If your team has changed because they no longer have the capacity to be involved, but you would still like their input, could they still have a role as a critical friend for the project?

The aim of Exploratory Research Funding is to build communities and scale up previous activities that relate to this theme. This means your project doesn’t need to have been in receipt of Connections Funding, but we are not intending to fund entirely new projects. We would encourage you to first consider connecting with the existing Connections Funding projects to avoid duplication and unnecessary competition. Or be very clear in your application about how your project builds on existing work.

Connections funding focused on bringing together a diverse group of people with a common interest, to discuss and explore potential research questions around that common interest that would take that research further. For example, Connections might provide funding for an academic, an artist and a practitioner to come together for a day or two – a sort of networking and exploratory phase. In this instance the funding could provide the fees for the artist and the practitioner (at their usual rates), perhaps a visit/excursion to a site, the cost of a meeting room and refreshments. The expectation is not for the funding to support a mini research project.

The Exploratory Research Funding is to consolidate the conversations and ideas that have previously been developed into a research project framed around one or a few related research questions. The approach/methodology would be clearly laid out along with a workplan, details of who is involved and a careful costing.

This funding is for research projects - whilst a product, installation or piece of art is acceptable as an output, Exploratory Research funding should not be seen as a source of funding for creative development only, or for knowledge exchange/impact or public engagement activities without a substantial research component.

To be transparent and fair to all applicants you can only submit the information requested. There is an online application form and you can view the questions and word limits via https://www.bristol.ac.uk/brigstow/funding/exploratory-research/exploratory-research-application-questions/. The main body of the funding application is the Case for Support which should be no longer than 2000 words (any additional text will be removed prior to being assessed).

Please do not assume that those assessing your application will be aware of your prior work or even the full context you are or have been working within. So please ensure your application provides a full description of the project as well as the wider context and any previous, relevant work.

£30,000 is the total amount available for this call. The outcome might be a few smaller research projects of varying award amounts, or one project that involves different strands.

You can, but we are looking to support a range of ideas, research questions, approaches and partnerships that one large research project might not deliver. We encourage connecting with existing projects or expanding the partnerships proposed in your Connections funded project.

Yes, we recognise the intellectual input and expertise of professional services staff so they can be listed as the Budget Holder on an application. We don’t have Principal Investigators on Brigstow projects – the project should be co-created and co-produced throughout.

You cannot apply for a project if the team are all PhD  students. You could however be part of a larger team that applies to the Exploratory Research Funding and be paid for your input.

All of Brigstow’s themes will have a focus on human experience and encounters. Given this focus we expect to see arts/humanities researchers and/or social scientists as key members of interdisciplinary research teams. This is not only around the types of methodologies we would expect to see, but also if the proposed project would need someone to develop and coordinate the application for ethical approval (if appropriate).

But we do encourage projects that involve a range of disciplines. You can view the projects we have previously funded, and who was involved, at www.bristol.ac.uk/brigstow/research/.

You can be involved in a project but if you are a full-time member of staff at another university you cannot be paid for your time. The team has to involve a University of Bristol member of staff though.

Brigstow funding is research-led which means you cannot apply to lead or carry out a research project on your own. We support collaborative, co-produced research activities and projects that are co-created from the outset.  We instead suggest taking a look at the Connections Funding teams to see where ideas may align, or reaching out to other relevant researchers and staff at the University to see how your research interests align.

Yes, you can be listed in multiple bids should your expertise be required in them. We encourage you to manage your time accordingly and should both projects be funded you will need to manage your own capacity and involvement.

Yes, you can apply if you were unsuccessful. We advise integrating reviewer feedback from your previous application, or taking a look at other teams funded in the Connections round to see if there is overlap with your ideas.

To be fair and transparent to everyone who wants to apply, we have decided that rather than having a chat with anyone, we will instead capture any (anonymised) questions you might have and our responses here in the FAQs and also answer any other questions at the webinar, a recording of which will be made available online shortly afterwards.