Jean Cater, Assistant Director

…. scholarships for the purpose of education and research….. Annual expenditure is c. £60M a year across some 14 funding schemes, largely funding research in the UK higher education sector, funding people and their direct research costs, not overheads/FEC William Hesketh Lever ( )

The Leverhulme Trust Board  Clearly defined by the Will  Nine members of Unilever senior management from diverse, international backgrounds meeting 4 times a year  The Trust is, however, an independent and autonomous charity  Experience of spotting potential and quality  Fashion resistant!  Relies on expert peer review

 Research Programmes: up to £1.75M, normally 2 themes chosen – for periods up to 5 years for research teams – 2013 themes “Nature of knots” and “Innovation for sustainable living” - closing date 3 October 2013!  Research Project Grants: normally up to £250k over 2 or 3 years but possible to bid for up to £500k for up to 5 years = At least 75% for research staff salaries (research assistants, postgraduate students) and up to 25% on associated costs Research grants

Fellowships  Study Abroad Studentships: 1 or 2 years for postgraduate study/research abroad  Early Career: 3 year-awards, within 5 years of doctorate - matching funding with host institution  Research: up to 2 years for established researchers, £45,000, replacement costs/research expenses  International Academic Fellowships: up to 1 year for academic staff, £22,000, replacement costs/research expenses  Major Research: 2 or 3 years, for well-established researchers in humanities/social sciences, funding a replacement post during the award – not only for Professors!  Emeritus: up to 2 years for retired academics, £22,000 research expenses

Other awards  International Networks: normally up to £125k and up to 3 years. Explicit justification for why a network is the best mechanism for addressing the chosen research theme and  Visiting Professorships: 3-10 months for distinguished overseas academics to enhance the skills of the UK host institution  Philip Leverhulme Prizes: six subject areas, up to £70k for outstanding early-mid career scholars  Artists in Residence (contrasting disciplines)  Occasional exceptional award schemes – nothing for 2013!

Percentage distribution of funds 2012

 Two-stage process for Research Project Grants, International Networks - c Outline Applications received p.a.  Stage one = peer review (c. 12 weeks and c. 50% success rate)  Positive recommendation → invitation to submit a Detailed Application (3 deadlines a year: September, December, March)  Stage two = detailed applications submitted for peer review to nominated and independent referees → decisions by Trust Board (c. 50% success rate). Therefore, overall c. 25% success rate.  All other schemes (except Visiting Professors) have a one-stage application process, normally annually, with decisions delegated to expert panels See for exact timingswww.leverhulme.ac.uk Application processes

 The originality of the proposed work beyond incremental development and beyond the immediate subject – curiosity-driven research attractive  The removal of barriers between disciplines  Providing support for the gifted individual: outstanding talent, vision, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to take appropriate risks  A refreshing departure from existing working patterns of the applicant or discipline: fresh direction  The responsive mode: the choice of topic lying with the applicant in the vast majority of cases Special attention is given to…

 Quality: excellence of the project and the applicant, clarity of expression, sound methodology, clear strategy for outcomes and dissemination  Why the Leverhulme Trust? Could/would/should this work be funded elsewhere? Maybe not for the Trust!  Original, creative research transcending traditional boundaries welcomed  Respect and reliance on robust peer review: choose referees wisely!  All disciplines are eligible, but the Trust avoids assuming the tasks of other specialist agencies, e.g. medicine and RC priority areas  Responsive mode – 90% plus To sum up…

 The claim to status or significance measured purely in metrics/”impact”/H-indices/institutional standing  The supposition of a hidden agenda/quota system or a preference for certain subjects/types of research  Failure to write in transparent terminology where you are requested to use language for the lay person – avoid jargon!  Lack of clear definition of the research idea, an overly descriptive background/literature review and a lack of a clear research design/methodology: what, why, how! Common errors…..

Recent grants  Multiscale biomechanical investigation of engineered tissue  Landscape dynamics and Bannockburn 1314: scientific answers to historical problems  The molecular logic of gustation in bees  Old wine in new bottles'. English Gascony ( ) for the digital future  Changes in British election news reporting ( )  Stories of subsistence: people and coast over the last 6000 years in the Limfjord, Denmark  Combating young disabled people's worklessness: an international network  Social alienation and uncertain growth: a pre- and post- reform analysis in India

1 Pemberton Row London EC4A 3BG Tel: twitter.com/leverhulmetrust Contact details