Small Research Grants for Projects Relating to Social Integration

11 February 2016
The Institute of Advanced Studies has teamed up with The Challenge, regarded as the UK's leading charity for building a more integrated society, to provide seed funding for projects concerned with social integration. A total of £30,000 is available, although it is unlikely that any individual award of more than £15,000 will be funded. The funding can be used for any purpose that would advance the research, and is aimed at A&H, SHS and SSEES academic staff.

The general aim is to produce academic work that will help The Challenge in their work. Projects could include conceptual explorations into the nature of social mixing; studies of the costs and benefits (broadly conceived) of social mixing; measures of social mixing; policy proposals for improving social mixing; or any other creative study that could help improve social mixing in the UK. Literature reviews, applications of existing research, novel applications of existing data sets, or trials of new methods are all welcomed, as are other methodologies. Particular priority areas for study include Education (schools and universities), Housing, Employment, Health, Immigration, Radicalisation, and Leisure, but we will consider applications in any policy area.

It is envisaged that these initial studies may well lead to a longer term collaborative partnership with The Challenge leading to external funding applications.

Proposals should not exceed 1000 words (excluding references) and be accompanied by the CVs of the investigators. The deadline is Monday March 7th, 2016, at 5.00 pm. Completed applications should be sent to Dania Herrera. If a project includes payment for teaching buyout this must be approved in principle by the Head of the relevant department before the application is made.

An initial progress report will be needed within three months of the award, with a final report at the end of the project, which should be no longer than one year after the start.

The following will be taken into account in assessing proposals:

1. Contribution to the goals of The Challenge

2. Originality and strength of project

3. Feasibility of undertaking research in the time available (preference may be given to projects that will be completed by the end of the calendar year)

4. Capacity for scaling up for application for external funding

Any enquiries please contact Jo Wolff (j.wolff@ucl.ac.uk)