Personnel
Research & Project Leave Scheme
Research & Project Leave Scheme
Research and Project Leave Scheme – updated October 2011
1. Time period covered by this call for applications:
• Semesters 1 and 2 (2012/2013)
• Semester 1 (2013/2014)
2. Aims of the scheme:
The aim of the scheme is to encourage and support members of staff to complete a project, research project or output which will make a significant contribution to the strategic aims of the Institute, Department or Service and to the University.The project is likely to be work that is already in progress and needs to be supported to reach a conclusion, major milestone or other specific output.
3. Outcomes:
3.1. The period of leave must result in a major output of relevance to the research strategy of the University and Institute, Department or Service.
Indicative outputs include:
• completion of a significant peer-reviewed paper, monograph, exhibition, book (or other published output, according to discipline);
• undertaking original research which will lead to a major published output or its equivalent. The timescale and the proposed publisher (or equivalent) should be indicated in the application, together with information about whether a contract has been secured;
• undertaking a major study visit, resulting in a published output, which will make a contribution to strategic development of the University or Institute, Department or Service. Plans for publication or output will be expected;
• developing a new system (e.g. for a professional service) or a significant project to translate contract research, policy-making work, or professional activity into a scholarly output;
• combining completion of a published output with production of a significant application for external research funding.Please note: this list is indicative and not exhaustive, but all funded bids will need to demonstrate an output which contributes to the University’s strategic aims and to the individual’s Institute, Department or Service.
3.2. The outcomes must be definable and measurable.
3.3 This scheme is not intended to be used for pursuit or completion of masters or MPhil/PhD study. (see the University’s staff development policy for available assistance with postgraduate study).
3.4 Heads of Institutes, Departments or Services must have considered supporting the project from within their own resources. Only if this is not possible should an application be submitted to the Scheme. The reasons for support being unavailable should be defined within the application.
4. Support available under this scheme:
Support available under the Scheme can include:
• financial support to release the applicant from normal duties – this may be full- or part- time for a period of up to one semester; or, under exceptional circumstances, part-time only for a period up to two semesters.
• financial support to buy additional staffing to assist with the project; this might be administrative, technical or research support;
• travel, subsistence and accommodation costs associated with the proposal and not normally encountered in the course of the applicant’s work. Such costs must be justified fully in the proposal; the proposal should also identify any other funding sources that will contribute towards costs;
• attendance at specialist conferences or courses directly relevant to the project will also be considered, provided that other funding sources for these have already been explored.
• the Scheme cannot be used for the purchase of capital equipment or computers.
• applications will be welcomed where there is other external or internal funding to match, exceed or contribute to the project proposal.
5. Mentor support
Successful applicants will be allocated a mentor for the duration of the leave; this person will be trained to provide support and guidance. Recipients of support through the Scheme will be invited to act as mentors to future successful applicants.
6. Reporting and dissemination
6.1 Successful applicants will be required to make regular progress reports to their Head of Institute, Department or Service. A final report will be required and a summary of leave outcomes will be reported to the appropriate University committees.
6.2 Successful applicants will be expected to deliver, as a minimum, a seminar to staff at the conclusion of the period of leave. Other forms of dissemination should be identified within the application.
7. Application process
7.1 Applications should be made on the Research and Project Leave Form and submitted to the Head of Personnel. This form is a Word file. Applicants should type in the boxes (which will expand to fit the text). Word limits must be observed.
7.2 The application must include;
• a project plan with significant milestones clearly identified.
• references to journals or other publications that have provided the background to the project
• a copy of an up- to- date CV for the applicant
• a clear statement of the funding being sought, based on full economic costing of the salary cost element and any other expenditure
• a signed supporting statement from the Head of institute/department/service; the statement must include an explanation of the relevance of the proposal to the Institute, Departmental or Service strategic research plan and take account of the practical feasibility of achieving the applicant’s release from normal duties. The Head should also nominate the mentor in this statement
7.3 All applications will be considered by the Research and Project Leave Panel which will comprise:
• Deputy Vice Chancellor (Chair)
• The Registrar (or nominee)
• Two Heads of Academic Institute
• Head of a Support Department who is a member of Executive Management Board
• Head of Research Development If a member of the panel is also the Head of the institute/service where one of the applicants is located, the discussion will take place in the absence of the relevant Head.
7.4 Applications will be considered against the following criteria:
• Relevance of proposal to University and/or Institute research strategies or departmental/service development strategies.
• Assessment of the likely quality of research outcomes (expected to be, at least, of national interest/significance) or project outcome (for Departments or Services).
• Assessment of the quality and likely effectiveness of proposed dissemination.
• Assessment of the feasibility of achieving the proposal within the proposed timescale.
• Accuracy of any proposed costings.
• Matched/subsidiary funding available
The Vice Chancellor will make the final decision on recommendations from the Research and Project Leave Scheme Panel. Successful applications will be announced to all staff with details of the projects to be undertaken.
7.5 The closing date for the current round of applications will be 28 November 2011 at noon.All successful and unsuccessful applicants and their Heads of Institute/Department/Service will be informed of the outcome by 23 December 2011.