Graduate School Application to the Enhancing Research Culture Fund

We are delighted to announce that the Graduate School's Research Culture Fund of up to £5000 for cross-University projects is available again in 2023-2024. Please note, this fund is for initiatives which will potentially benefit postgraduate research students in All Faculties. (Each faculty has its own fund if your idea would be for students in your home faculty only - please contact your F/DDPGR for information.) We are now inviting applications from students and staff which can be made via this form by the deadline of Wednesday 22 November 2023, 12pm.
 

Projects might be for one-off events that bring people together or designed to establish longer term or repeatable initiatives. You may apply for small or large amounts, and we will look at a range of projects that the panel feels will contribute the most to the postgraduate research student experience.

Criterion 1

Projects can involve:

• Improving access to and participation in research, including postgraduate research study, for people from currently underrepresented groups;
• Furthering open research practices;
• Improving research conduct and reproducibility;
• Tackling bullying and harassment;
• Improving research leadership skills across all career stages;
• Creating routes for collaboration and exchange with businesses, third sector organisations and government;
• Securing and supporting the careers of researchers and associated professions;
• Diversifying recruitment, reward and recognition approaches at all career stages;
• Delivering new approaches to public dialogue and community-led research.

Each year, students are asked to reflect on the research culture in response to questions in the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES). Research culture includes a whole range of activities, events, feelings, communications and interactions, but you should consider the following statements from the PRES when making an application:

Criterion 2 

6.1: I have access to a good range of seminars in my research area
6.2: I have frequent opportunities to discuss my research with other researchers including research students
6.3: The research community in my research area influences my work
6.4: I am aware of opportunities to become involved in the wider research community, beyond my department   

In the application, please demonstrate how your proposal will enhance research culture at Portsmouth and raise awareness of the community, activities and resources that exist here in support of postgraduate research. Student-led applications that place student needs and wishes at the heart of the initiatives are particularly welcome, although you are strongly encouraged to discuss your proposal with your supervisor and/or DDPGR before applying. Academic and professional services staff applicants should include evidence of student involvement in the design of their proposals. Applications should address how the proposal meets some of the elements of Criteria 1 and 2,  and have PGRSs as exclusive or primary beneficiaries.

Depending on the nature of the proposal, it may also be helpful to engage other academic or professional services colleagues whose participation is necessary for the success of the initiative. Applicants should also indicate how the success of the proposals may be measured.