Our Research Workshop Grants are intended to facilitate intellectual and creative interaction and partnership between researchers from different disciplines and from a range of institutions, within the academic community, the public, private and third sectors. 

The grants are intended to encourage and support a Workshop or series of workshops that aim to generate new and innovative research activities. These workshops should lead to the development of new networks or partnerships and new research agendas – such as, a concept for a grant project proposal in the area explored. 

A Workshop sharing completed or existing research would not be eligible under this scheme. The grants also do not cover activities that would have taken place anyway (for example, a project linked to an existing conference).

The maximum sum available for any one project is £1,000 for 6 months. 

What are the objectives?

The key principles of the Research Workshop Grants Scheme are:

• Working with external partners to co-produce research outcomes and generate knowledge exchange across sectors.
• Ensuring that principles and best practices of interdisciplinary working are adopted from the outset, allowing for the development of truly collaborative partnerships which provide solutions to complex challenges.
• Consideration of and contribute to at least one of the seven well-being goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Themes

The scheme invites applications across the following themes:

• Wales Studies: Research about Wales and its relations with the wider world. Applicants should outline how their workshop is relevant to the Welsh context and how it can enhance understanding of key issues in contemporary Wales.
• Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: Applicants should outline the expected benefits of developing new collaborations and the anticipated outcomes of the collaboration e.g. whether it could lead to the development of a research paper or future funding application.
• Early Career Researcher (any discipline): Lead applicants should outline why they consider themselves an Early Career Researcher and the value of the workshop for their field of research and professional development.
• Pathways to Peace:  Applicants should outline how the project will develop a better understanding
  of peace or address specific issues relating to peace. 

Applicants are expected to address the criteria of the theme to which they are applying in their application. 

In addition, applicants will need to outline how they will address specific needs related to EDI, in line with the Society’s commitment to EDI.

Additional themes may also be advertised during certain cycles of the scheme and applicants interested in these themes are advised to consult the guidance for the relevant application cycle for further information on these streams.

Who can apply?

Proposals must involve two or more organisations.

Lead Applicants (the person named on the grant) must be working for an employer based in Wales and will be either:

• a full or part-time academic employed by a Higher Education institution; or
• a full or part-time practitioner or research-active member of staff in the public or third sector with a demonstratable commitment to teaching and research within said institution.

The project team (collaborators) may also include:

• other academic researchers from any discipline
• researchers outside academia
• members of the public or public-facing groups

When do applications open?

The LSW Research Workshop Grants cycle is launched in September every year and successful projects should take place within six months from the date of grant confirmation. Depending on funds availability, LSW might open a second call for applications in January. Successful workshops in this second round are expected to run between March and October in the same year the grant is awarded.

Contact Us

For more information, contact the Researcher Development Team at researcherdevelopment@lsw.wales.ac.uk