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. 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 Open 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 application/s 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 application/s 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 between 18 June 2024 and 18 June 2025.
- Philip Leverhulme Prizes 2025. Applications are considered within six broad subject areas each year. Subject areas rotate on a 3-year cycle, no institution may submit more than 3 nominations in any prize subject area. The University invites schools to submit up to two internal nominations by the internal deadline 11 March 2025.
- UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Round 10. The University of St Andrews is permitted to submit 4 applications to this call. Early career applicants should liaise with the host school for details on the internal selection process. The University invites schools to nominate their selected candidate by the internal deadline 11 February 2025.
- Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships 2025/26. Aimed at incoming international senior career researchers. Nominations are put forward by the Vice Chancellor or Institute Director (VPRCI at St Andrews) from the proposed host institution. Normally one nomination is selected per round. There are three rounds per year, nominations received after the internal deadline may be considered for the following round. Applicants should liaise with the host school for details on the internal selection process. The University invites schools to submit round 2 2025 nominations by the internal deadline 20 January 2025.
- BBSRC Industrial doctoral landscape award (IDLA). This call is aimed at external organisations outside of academia, in collaboration with the University. The submitting host University may only act as project lead and subsequent training grant holder on one application. There is no limit on the number of applications organisations can act as a non-lead partner. The academic project lead should advise RIS if the University of St Andrews is to serve as the submitting institution and training grant holder by the internal deadline closed.
- Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships 2025. Eligible candidates wishing to apply for this scheme must submit their details to their chosen host school in the first instance. The scheme aims to provide career development opportunities for those who are at a relatively early stage of their academic careers. The University asks schools to submit their nomination/s by the internal deadline closed.
- BBSRC Mid-range Equipment ALERT24. An institution may submit more than one proposal, however, institutions are encouraged to discuss and prioritise their submissions given the limited budget available. This call is for an item of equipment above £200k, BBSRC will contribute 100% up to £1.5m inc VAT. The project lead is asked to submit a brief statement by the internal deadline of closed.
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) to discuss the applications.
- All applicants, 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.
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)
- AXA post-doctoral Fellowships
- AXA Chairs
- NIHR Global Health Research Professorships
- MRC/BBSRC/NERC Equipment Calls
Less frequent calls
- Leverhulme Research Centres (Every 3 years; next 2027)
- Leverhulme Research Leadership Awards (Every 3 years; next 2025)
- British Academy Global Professorships (Even Years; 2024, 2026 etc.)
- Capital Calls
- Research Centres or hubs
- Postdoctoral Centres
Open calls
- EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure, open call with restrictions
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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.