CDT Research Fund

Budget for wet-lab research that adds value to your PhD project.

We have a modest budget for experimental wet-lab research that generates data to evaluate methods developed in CDT projects, to add value, and impact. It is not a substitute for funding to generate substantial data sets which should be secured though normal research funding routes. This fund is available to Individual MSc and PhD projects and has a fixed annual budget; when it is exhausted applications will be closed until the start of the following academic year.

For the academic year 2024/25 we have £30,000 available in the flexible fund. We welcome applications on an ongoing basis throughout the academic year with a maximum of £5,000 available for any one project though the expectation is that typical awards would be of £1,000-2,000.

Application & Assessment Process

Application to the CDT-BAI RF is to be made by CDT students with support from their supervisory team by completing the online RF application form. Applications will be assessed by the CDT Director and 2 other members of the CDT management group. In case of conflict of interest, substitutions will be made as and when needed.

The aim is for this to be a light-touch process with a decision within 2 weeks of application receipt except in cases where additional information is requested from the applicant by the panel.

Ordinarily we will not consider multiple applications from a CDT student within the same academic year. Previous awards from the RF to a CDT student will be taken into account when considering awards in subsequent years to maximise the equitable distribution of funds amongst CDT research projects.

Conditions of Funding

• The RF is specifically to support experimental research costs.
• Computing costs including hardware, staffing/personnel costs, conference or workshop attendance or travel costs are not eligible costs for the fund.
• Suitable costs include, but are not limited to, sequencing, lab consumables, and imaging costs.
• Awarded funds must be spent by the deadline indicated on the award letter. Deadline extensions will be possible if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent use of the funds by the deadline on application to the CDT Director (for example issues with procurement).
• Unspent funds will be recovered back to the RF funding pool for future use.
• Funds must be spent in accordance with the UKRI Terms and Conditions and relevant University policies and procedures.
• Awarded funds must only be used for the purposes detailed in the application.