Horizons Platform Exploratory Funding

Horizons Platform is designed to promote challenge-led interdisciplinary research and foster collaboration between the University of Leeds and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

As part of this programme, the Horizons Institute are offering participants the opportunity to apply for exploratory funding. This funding is to support the early development of research projects and collaborative teams.

Applications must be received by 5pm, Friday 1 November 2024. We will notify you of the outcome of your application in the week commencing Monday 18 November.

Please note that it may take between 3 to 6 weeks to complete the administrative and financial set-up for projects. Please take this into consideration when specifying the project start date.

Funding information

The Horizons Institute has £40,000 available for this initial round of exploratory funding.

You can apply for funding of £5,000 to £10,000. The funding period is for one year from the project start date.

You must discuss your application with your Faculty Research Manager or support staff to identify any issues related to the feasibility and costings of your project.

Project costings must be reviewed and signed off by your school/faculty finance team. Research proposals must be approved by your Head of School before applications are submitted.

The funding is flexible and designed to promote the development of cross-institutional collaborations and to pump-prime idea development. Further information about accepted costs can be found on the Horizons Platform Funding Information page.

Costings information

Costings should be provided in the proposal to justify the funding request and demonstrate feasibility for project completion. Please ensure that all requested costs are within scope of the project funding.

Please also note the following:

Where funding is requested for travel, applicants should include details of the intended purpose, such as who they will travel to meet and why.
Researchers based at the University of Leeds are required to book their travel through provider Key Travel. When costing your project, please refer to Key Travel for estimated costs.
Where funding is requested for staff time, all contractual issues and appropriate costings must have been discussed with your Faculty Research Office.

Selection process

All proposals received by the deadline will be assessed for eligibility against the essential criteria by a Horizons Institute Research Manager.
All eligible proposals will be assessed against the assessment criteria by the Horizons Institute Interdisciplinary Assessment College.
Proposals will be scored against the three assessment criteria (interdisciplinarity, innovation and collaboration).
A selection panel will meet to review scores and select successful proposals using the scores and feedback provided from peer review.
The selection panel will ensure that there is representation from both the University of Leeds and the University of Witwatersrand, and a range of project areas and disciplines, by using a portfolio approach.
The selection panel will also be observed by an impartial observer to ensure consistency and transparency.

Essential criteria

The proposal must develop research and collaboration within the areas of climate, sustainability and inequality.
The lead applicant must be a colleague on the Horizons Platform programme.
The proposal must demonstrate the development of cross-institutional collaboration.

Please note that although not a requirement for applications for exploratory funding, Horizons Platform Project Funding (up to £250,000) will require inclusion of a colleague from a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). Please consider this when developing collaborations.

Assessment criteria

We recognise that projects and collaborations will be at different stages and may not yet be fully developed. Assessment will therefore be based on the potential of the proposal to generate innovative, interdisciplinary research within the areas of climate, sustainability and inequality and the potential to develop diverse and inclusive research teams.

Proposals will be assessed using the following assessment criteria:

Interdisciplinarity: At this early-stage of project development, we are looking for applicants to demonstrate how the proposal will develop a cross-disciplinary research team and to articulate the potential for interdisciplinary research development.
Innovation: Applicants should evidence the potential of their idea/collaboration to develop innovative challenge-led research.
Collaboration: Applicants should indicate what they will each bring to the proposal and demonstrate how they will develop equitable research collaborations that involve diverse and inclusive research teams.

Further information

Please visit the Horizons Platform page for more information about the programme. If you have any questions, please email the Horizons Institute team at horizons@leeds.ac.uk.