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Leverhulme Research Project Grants

Open (ongoing) Human rights and equality Medical research Miscellaneous research Antrim & Newtownabbey Ards & North Down Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Belfast City Causeway Coast and Glens Derry City and Strabane England Fermanagh and Omagh Great Britain Lisburn and Castlereagh Mid and East Antrim Mid Ulster Newry, Mourne and Down Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Large (over £60,000)

Overview

Value and duration

Research Project Grants may be held for up to five years. The maximum grant value is £500,000. The funds requested should be appropriate for the grant duration and the resources required to realise the project’s objectives.

Eligibility

InstitutionsApplicant or Principal InvestigatorFields of study
  • UK universities
  • Other institutions of higher education in the UK
  • Registered charities in the UK which have research capacity equivalent in standing to that of a UK university

And on a trial basis during 2025:

The applicant (Principal Investigator) must take responsibility for directing the grant, and his/her employing institution must also agree to administer the grant.

Eligible applicants will already be employed by the eligible institution or be an academic who has maintained close links with that institution following retirement.

Applications can be submitted by those holding contract research posts provided that their appointment continues for a period at least equal to the span of the requested award.

Up to 3 co-applicants from the same or different institutions may also be included. Includes Overseas applicants.

Applications will be considered in all subject areas except:

  • studies of disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals
  • research that is intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications
   

What the Trust offers

Research Project Grants provide research staff costs for those working directly on the research project and associated research costs. The funds requested should be appropriate for the grant duration and the resources required to realise the project’s objectives.

See Guidance for details on eligible cots for:

  • Research staff costs
  • Teaching replacement costs
  • Associated research costs
  • Salary contribution

Notes

Proposals must reflect the personal vision of the applicant and demonstrate compelling competence in the research design. 

The Trust favours applications that surmount traditional disciplinary academic boundaries and involve a willingness to take appropriate degrees of risk in setting research objectives.

Specific attention is paid to the reasons applicants give in justifying their choice of the Trust as the most appropriate agency to support their project. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to consult the statement on the Leverhulme Trust’s approach to grant-making.

For details of funded projects visit the website here