Criteria for Applications
The Collaborative Small Grants Scheme is intended to help foster inter-disciplinary or cross-institutional working and, therefore, one of the main criteria for selection is that applications must involve at least two individuals (including the principal applicant) working collaboratively across different subject disciplines, academic institutions and/or sectors. There is no restriction on the type of small project that will be considered, although it must involve innovative use of intermediate or advanced level quantitative methods and it should be of direct relevance to members of the Applied Quantitative Methods Network in Scotland. Proposals that include the use of a Scottish dataset and that include a policy or applied element to the work are particularly encouraged.
Examples of how this Small Grants Scheme might be used include:
- seed-corn funding to conduct a small-scale feasibility or pilot study to develop a new research methodology with a view to developing a larger-scale grant application;
- secondary analysis of an existing Scottish dataset for publication in a peer-reviewed journal;
- conducting a small, self-contained research project with a particular policy or practice focus;
- working collaboratively to develop a set of knowledge exchange materials around the use of one or more methodological approaches;
- establishing a series of seminars or knowledge exchange events involving both academic and non-academic participants;
- developing a teaching module, training event or workshop that demonstrates the application and use of an advanced quantitative method.
All applications must demonstrate that funding is sought for a clearly defined, discrete project or initiative, which will have an identifiable outcome that makes a direct contribution to the overarching aim of the Applied Quantitative Methods Network, which is to build capacity in quantitative methods amongst the Scottish social science community. Examples of this may include contributing to a training event, producing an article for the AQMeNtion newsletter, developing a teaching resource that can be shared, holding a seminar or lecture or publishing details about a specific methodology.
Please note that this scheme is outwith the scope of fEC and can only cover direct costs. More information on items of expenditure that can be applied for are contained in section 3 of the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
Where the principal applicant is an early career researcher (for example, within 5 years of completing their PhD and/or within 5 years of their first academic position) they should include details of a mentor who will support and advise them during the course of the project. A letter of support from the mentor should also be included along with the proposal.
The period of the award may vary, but it is not expected to exceed 6 months. An End of Award report will be expected which provides evidence of the impact the project has had (see terms and conditions for further details).
