Demand managed funding calls
In most cases a demand managed funding opportunity, scheme or call has a restriction on the number of applications an institution can submit, often referred to as a cap. In other cases, funding bodies may encourage institutions to monitor the quality of applications and limit the number of applications to a given call, often with the aim of maximising the success rate of those applications while minimising resource strain. The University may also choose to demand manage calls where a significant host contribution is a condition of the call (matched funding), or where the funding may transition to a permanent post.
When demand management is required, the University will coordinate an internal peer review process to identify the application, or applications, most suitable for the call. The process is intended to reduce burden and limit bureaucracy where possible, whilst still meeting the funding call requirements. Feedback and support will be provided whenever possible.
For application advice, and finding funding, including calls where there is no institutional cap, please contact the Research Business Development team who will provide support.
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Research funding, demand managed by Research and Innovation Services (RIS):
- EPSRC Mathematical Open, Open plus and Postdoctoral Fellowships. EPSRC expect organisations to select through an inclusive process, the most suitable candidates for these fellowships. Peer review systems within each school will operate, to ensure that only the highest quality applications are selected and supported though to submission.
- ESRC new investigator grants. ESRC expect to see only a limited number of applications from any single research organisation. Peer review systems within each school will operate, to ensure that only the highest quality applications are selected and supported though to submission.
- EPSRC Strategic infrastructure outlines The University will take a strategic approach to this call. Please liaise with your internal 'School Strategic Equipment Working Group' contact on how to seek approval to submit an application via the group. This is an open call with an institutional cap of six applications per year (June to June).
- Royal Society - Faraday International Accelerated Fellowships. Aimed at the most talented mid-career research leaders (STEM) coming to the UK. This is a fast track route that will require a rationale over the standard Faraday route. Schools will be required to submit a proposal for VPRCI approval. Internal nominations can be submitted at any point, Schools are asked to submit their nomination at least two weeks prior to the Royal Society review point to be included in that round. Open.
- Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellowships. These fellowships aim to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers, but who have a proven record of research. This call is demand managed due to the significant amount of matched funding. The internal deadline for school nomination is closed.
- MRC Doctoral Landscape Awards. Apply for funding to deliver doctoral training in any area of Medical Research Council (MRC) remit. This funding opportunity will support the development of a highly skilled workforce equipped to address medical research and innovation challenges across a range of careers. The University may submit only one application as lead. Internal deadline is closed.
- AHRC Design Generators (delayed!). Funding to combine design-led interventions with arts and humanities methodologies to make positive contributions to the green transition. The lead research organisation may make a total of two applications for this programme, but each application must be substantively different in both partnership team and project objectives. The internal deadline for the lead applicant is 23 February 2026.
- Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarships. This triennial call aims to fund up to 30 Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships in an interdisciplinary priority research area for that institution. Includes home students (18), overseas students (6) and additional funding for up to six students from underrepresented groups to undertake a research master’s degree plus PhD, with awards of up to £5m for nine years. The University may submit only one application as lead but may partner in multiple applications, provided they are in different disciplinary areas. The internal deadline for lead applicants is closed.
- BBSRC Mid-range Equipment ALERT 2025. Apply for equipment between £200,000 and £1.5 million including VAT within the BBSRC biosciences remit. It is recommended that equipment proposals are discussed at the School Strategic Equipment Working Group, items will be prioritised given the limited budget available. The project lead is invited to apply internally by closed.
- The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Research Leadership Scheme. The goal of the scheme is to develop the next generation of research leaders in Scotland, equipped to lead major disciplinary research bids that address critical scientific and societal challenges. The University can submit up to three nominations. The internal deadline for school nomination is noon, 11 December 2025.
Eligible candidates wishing to apply should contact the Director of Research within their chosen host school in the first instance and in good time, to find out more information about the internal selection process, documents, and links required for internal application selection or nomination.
Directors of Research can check 'DoR RIS Shared' Microsoft Teams or contact ris@st-andrews.ac.uk for further information.
The Demand management calendar (PDF) provides an overview of the estimated timings for each known call to enable applicants and Directors of Research to plan their funding application and internal review process accordingly. It should be noted that this schedule is based on historical information so is only a guide. Sponsors may change these times and new schemes may be added at short notice. Please refer to the sponsors' own web pages for up-to-date information on individual calls.
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- Research and Innovation Services (RIS) identifies the demand managed funding call.
- RIS electronically disseminates the call information and deadlines to the relevant Schools and departments (via the Director of Research and the Head of School), Research Business Development(RBD) and Financial Advice and Support (FAS).
- If required, RIS will coordinate an internal review panel, consisting of members from the Peer Review College.
- Internal selection application forms are submitted to RIS for the internal review by the given internal selection deadline.
- RIS ensures that all requested information is provided and undertakes preliminary eligibility checks.
- Where an internal process is required, RIS distributes the bids to the internal review panel for their consideration.
- The internal review panel meeting is held, chaired by the Vice-Principal (Research, Collections and Innovation), or a member of the Research Excellence Board (REB) or Principal's Office to discuss the applications.
- The nominating School or Applicant, RBD and FAS are informed of the outcome of the internal review process.
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Many externally funded calls are repeated on a regular basis, with varying frequencies; some calls are open multiple times each year, some are open once per year and some are open every two or three years. A list of calls which are routinely demand managed due to institutional caps or significant institutional commitment are listed below. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and some ad hoc calls will require demand management.
The Demand management calendar (PDF) provides an overview of the estimated timings for each known call to enable applicants and Directors of Research to plan their funding application and internal review process accordingly. Note that the calendar has accessibility issues - if you need the content in an alternative format, please contact ris@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Annual Calls
- Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships (ECRF)
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF)
- STFC Stephen Hawking Fellowships (managed by school contact)
- STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowships (managed at school level)
- NERC Discovery Science - Pushing the Frontiers
- The Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowships
- The Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships (3 rounds per year)
- The Royal Society Faraday International Accelerated Fellowships(3 rounds per year)
- AXA post-doctoral Fellowships
- AXA Chairs
- NIHR Global Health Research Professorships
Less frequent calls
- Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarships (Every 3 years; next 2026)
- Leverhulme Research Centres (Every 3 years; next 2027)
- Leverhulme Research Leadership Awards (Every 3 years; next 2028)
- British Academy Global Professorships (Even Years; 2026, 2028 etc.)
Other
- Equipment calls - please contact FAS to identify your School Strategic Equipment Working Group member.
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RIS facilitate a number of schemes to enable St Andrews researchers to deliver high-quality research, impact and innovation. Current calls are listed on the research support webpages and on the impact funding webpages.
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There are some prizes and awards that require pre-approval from the Vice-Principal (Research, Collections and Innovation) and may also require to be submitted centrally. The relevant Director of Research and Head of School will be advised of the process and invited to nomination a candidate.
The following prizes and awards are restricted in the number of applications or by invitation only and therefore require pre-approval/submission via the Vice-Principal (Research, Collections and Innovation)
- Philip Leverhulme Prize
- Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom
- Simons Investigator Awards
- Royal Society Wolfson Fellowship (3 rounds per year)
Eligible candidates wishing to apply must contact the Director of Research within their chosen host school in good time, to find out more information about the internal nomination process.
Directors of Research can check 'DoR RIS Shared' Microsoft Teams for current information or contact ris@st-andrews.ac.uk.