The Centre for Equality Research in Brain Sciences is offering funding for small projects on equality issues in the academic community.
We are launching the 2024/25 call of our research fund to support small research projects that aim to advance our understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), within the Faculty and across academia. The deadline for submitting your application is 4 October 2024.
The vision for funded projects
Our vision is that the Faculty of Brain Sciences becomes an internationally recognised hub for research excellence on EDI, with an impactful network of researchers working to promote understanding and solutions regarding EDI challenges in all the fields represented in the Faculty and where possible in collaboration with other fields or industry. As a first step towards this wider goal, the fund will support original work using data (new or existing; quantitative or qualitative) to inform hypotheses or wider considerations in the field of EDI work, with the intention to publish.
The projects should address mechanisms, or effects of inequality, bias and discrimination, and/or address challenges to EDI as these relate to UCL, academia and science and also as they relate to the protected characteristics as outlined by the Equality Act 2010. These include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Projects that address wider issues of inclusion, such as bullying and harassment, may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. The scope can relate to all fields represented in the Faculty of Brain Sciences and will be similar to previous years so the applicants are encouraged to study previously funded projects. Please study the “Guidelines and Reflective Questions” document for detailed description of scope, eligibility and selection criteria.
Scope, eligibility and selection criteria
Guidelines and Reflective Questions.docx
We particularly encourage applications that foster collaboration between Institutes and Divisions across the Faculty, and include Early Career Researchers in the core team. We also particularly encourage projects with co-design and co-delivery elements. We do not fund EDI projects that are primarily about open access costs, or EDI interventions without a clear research aim and potential for publication. Selection of projects will be conducted by the ERB’s academic board, in collaboration with its coproduction partners.
The overall amount of money available in this first round of grants is: £18,000 total.
Applicants can request up to £5,000, but the average funded project is expected to be at about £2000. We are hoping to fund three to five projects. These are relatively small budgets that could support standalone work of an appropriate scope or supplement the EDI research potential of existing research projects, educational activities or other well-funded activities.
Projects are expected to begin by 1 December 2024. Funds must be spent by 31 July 2025.
To apply, please first study the “Guidelines and Reflective Questions” document and then complete and email the application form to the Faculty of Brain Sciences (FBS) EDI Team at fbs.edi@ucl.ac.uk by 4 October 2024.
Application form
No other forms or attachments are needed. Please send any enquiries to the same email address.