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Call for applications: Seed Fund to promote a positive research and innovation culture.
Purpose of the Grassroots Seed Fund
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2025/26 Grassroots Research Culture Seed Fund aimed at supporting grassroots initiatives designed to foster a more positive research and innovation culture at UCL.
We invite applications from individuals or teams who are passionate about driving change, in alignment with UCL’s priorities. Applications should focus on removing barriers or optimising enablers to a positive research culture.
This scheme complements existing research culture funding at central and faculty level, recognising that small, locally led changes can often have the most immediate and tangible impact on members of the research community.
– Emma Todd, Director of Research Culture
2025/26 call outline
- A total up to £50,000 is available through this fund.
- Awards of up to £2,000 per initiative are available.
- Open to all UCL staff and doctoral researchers (with a staff sponsor).
- Proposed initiatives should run for a maximum of eight months from 1 December 2025 – 31 July 2026, align with one or more of the five key themes and goals in UCL’s Research Culture Roadmap, and indicate potential for sustainability and scalability.
- Collaborations across UCL faculties and between researchers and UCL Professional Services staff are encouraged.
- Deadline for applications: 5pm, Friday 26 September 2025.
- All costs must be in line with UCL expenditure policy, claimed and processed by 31 July 2026.
Eligibility
Applications are open to UCL staff members including those in academic and research positions, and on professional services contracts, as well as doctoral researchers.
Applications from doctoral researchers will need a staff member as lead applicant. Honorary or visiting lecturers are not eligible to apply but are welcome to collaborate on initiatives.
How to apply
- Before completing and submitting your application, please read the Criteria & Guidance Notes.
- Lead applicants are welcome to apply on behalf of their project team.
- Applications will be evaluated using an adapted version of the Research Culture Prioritisation Framework.
- A completed Research Culture Seed Fund application should be submitted via the online submission form.
Contact
If you have any questions about the Grassroots Research Culture Seed Fund or the application process, please contact the Research Culture team at researchculture@ucl.ac.uk.