Applications are invited to the RSF if: 

• The pilot research will lead to an externally funded research application.
• Exceptionally, the RSF may be able to support the costs of open access publication if the paper derives from College funded research and there was no external funding.
• An applicant does not have access to their own funds for the research.
• There is a clear and demonstrable need for additional support for preparation and submission of a large multi-partner grant.
• Attendance at a networking event (as distinct from a conference) will assist in the development of research networks and partners for early career staff.

The College Research Committee has overall responsibility for the administration of the Fund. However, in order to effect a rapid response, all applications will be circulated electronically to all Committee members, with most weight given to the comments of the relevant Faculty Dean.

Depending on the application, awards may be made as:

1. Small pump-priming grants (max £4k)
2. Matching funds to develop new initiatives. In these cases a prerequisite may be that a proportion of the costs may need to be met by the Department or another funding source (max £4);
3. Venture capital basis - this would result in the sum being paid back over a period of time (max £4K).
4. Support the costs of preparing and submitting a large grant application (typically over £K and involving x partners). The funds will typically be for administrative support in preparing the grant, consultancy and review of the application prior to submission (max £7K)
5. Networking grants to support attendance by early career staff at research networking events (not conferences). This will be limited to one award/eligible staff member (max £1K)

Awards are made on the following conditions:

1. In all cases, options for gaining external funding should be explored through your Research and Business Development Manager.
2. Where appropriate, an award may be made on the basis that a parallel application is made to an external funding body. The application should name any other bodies (both internal and external) to which an application had been made for the same purpose. In the event of the external application being successful, the sum allocated by the RSF should be returned.
3. The grant should not be used for any other purpose other than that stated in the application. The recipients of the award must provide a short report within the time specified on how the grant was used and how it has helped to generate further external support. Outcomes will normally be reported to the College. If an applicant submits a RSF proposal and a Final Report is pending for a previous RSF award then the current application will not be considered until the Final Report is received.
4. The RSF is a limited fund, and aims to support specific initiatives to enhance the likelihood of generating external funding. It will not usually support the provision of academic or research posts, or for providing replacement teaching time (for which NET or departmental support should be sought). In exceptional circumstances, support for short-term casual assistance may be required to complete a specific task or project. If the funding is being used to develop a FP7 proposal in which RHUL are lead then the funds can only be used to cover RHUL participant costs.
5. RSF applications requesting bridge funding to keep a RA, PhD student or other contract staff between contracts will only be supported under exceptional circumstances.
6. Support will not be provided for retrospective expenses incurred for project work
7. Applicants must not duplicate support for work through the RSF that has also been applied for in parallel through external funding sources. If there is any overlap for RSF support with external applications you will need to provide the necessary information to show that funding through the RSF does not duplicate funding through an external source.
8. Applications for support for grant preparation and submission will be expected to clearly demonstrate the requirement for and value of the additional support covered by the application.
9. Applicants for networking grants will have to justify the value of the event to development of their research and to future grant applications.  
10. Support for Publication charges - please note the following guidelines will apply:

    a) You will need to a make strong case for support outlining the strategic interest of the publication request for support well in advance of any deadlines set by publishers and not a few days ahead of needing approval for funding.

    b) You must have explored other options for example approaching the journal for a fee waiver. If you have a current grant which did not include the publication charges and the publication is expected to be after the end date of the project, please discuss with Finance - Post Award whether it may be possible to hold the cost after the grant has ended.

    c) Multiple submissions for RSF support in any one year from one individual or for articles with several authors will get lower priority.

    d) If a publication has authors from other HEIs you must give an indication of the relative contribution to the article by the Royal Holloway staff and explain why the other HEIs are not able to support the Publication cost.

    e) You must ensure the institution is appropriately recognised in any publications to gain maximum benefit in the future Research Excellence Framework (REF).

    f) You must submit request for support well in advance of any deadlines set by publishers and not a few days ahead of needing approval for funding.

There is further information on Open Access Publication charges at Open Access Publication Costs. The Research Information Network (RIN) has also produced a useful guidance document| on open access publication charges. Please also ensure you consult this information before seeking support through the RSF.

The Research Strategy fund encourages interdisciplinary initiatives and will view this positively.

As the objective is to provide pump-priming funds most bids are expected to be for small amounts. In any case no single grant shall exceed £4k; most will be for considerably less than this amount.

For applications to develop large proposals the funding will be typically max £7k.

Networking grants will be limited to one award per year/eligible staff member and will be for a max of £1K. Funding will be only to cover travel and accommodation cost.

In all cases there should be a departmental contribution of at least 10% of the total costs. 

Level of award for Open Access publications will be based on a case by case basis.

Applications must be made on the RSF application form and may be made at any time. The applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee at the meeting dates shown in the deadlines section. If there are no additional queries, applicants will be informed of the outcome after the relevant meeting date. If your application needs to be reviewed urgently and you are not able to wait until the next Research Committee meeting then please ensure you make R&E aware of this and clearly state this in the application form. In such cases the application will be reviewed by e-mail correspondence with the Research Committee members.

1. Part A of the application form must be completed by the applicant.
2. In Question 6 you must provide an indication of the size of the application that will be made to an external funding source as a result of this support, e.g. the amount, duration, staff element.
3. Please give a breakdown of the costs in Question 5, the total cost for the project and the total funding required from RSF less the Departmental support.
4. Part B should be completed by the applicant's Head of Department who should state how the application fits with departmental research plans and indicate the level to which the department is willing to provide financial support for the project. Projects which closely fit the departmental research plan and which have demonstrable financial support from the department are encouraged. 

All applications| together with any other relevant information should be sent to Research Services Officer, Nicola Pressling.|

Applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee. Meetings take place every 5 weeks during term time. The committee requires 7 days to read through RSF proposals therefore applications will need to be submitted by the dates below, in the column entitled RSF application deadline.

Please note that we will shortly provide the dates of the Research Committee meetings for the academic year 2012-13. In the interim please submit applications to Nicola Pressling where your application will be assessed by the committee via email.