How to put togethera strong application to the

Researcher-Led Initiative (RLI) fund

Sarah R-HDoctoral School

www.sussex.ac.uk/doctoralschool/internal/rli

3-steps to a strong

application:

1. Read and

understand the

guidance notes

2. Address all the

criteria in your

application

3. Submit your

application

on time

Read and understand the guidance notes

• Scope of the fund• Expected award amount• Deadline for

applications• Criteria for applications• Application process• Selection process• Terms and conditions of

awards

Address all the criteria in your application

Clearly show how your initiative

meets the criteria

• How it will boost the professional

development of researchers

• How it is cross-or interdisciplinary

• How it appeals to researchers

across career stages

• How it is innovative

Submit your application

on time

Current cycle deadline: Tuesday 30th April 2013

Allow time for:• Getting support statement

from your DODS• Proofreading• Getting accurate costings• Input from other parties

How the RLI fund operates

• Panel considers all applications after deadline• Allocation of funds: panel considers all

applications in that round, and budget available

• Applicants informed of outcome within 4 weeks of closing date

• Successful? Doctoral School opens a budget code for your project

Possible

outcomes

1. Successful - accepted2. Partially successful - offered partial

funding, with explanation and advice3. Revise & resubmit – feedback on

application with advice on how to improve it

4. Unsuccessful - rejected

Winning initiatives…

• Broad appeal across disciplines / schools• Benefit researchers at different career stages• Involve collaboration across departments• Request only partial funding– co-sponsors; other resources

• Showed outreach – Outside of Sussex or non-academics

• Potential to lead onto something else• Have a legacy: website, resources

Lesser applications…

• Lack signs of being innovative• Application incomplete / unclear• Unreasonable budgets– catering & speakers fees, ‘wages’

• Aimed at undergraduates or PGTs• School-based / departmental event• Event off-campus (costly) for no

discernible reason• Requested funds to be transferred

to personal bank account