Annex A: Guidance on Developing the Research Case for the Investigator In order to submit a high quality proposal an investigator usually needs to address some or all of the following challenges: The assembly of a research case that sometimes brings together disparate disciplines with quite different research traditions and cultures. The development of the research proposal is time-consuming, requiring a significant programme of proposal development meetings and liaison with different parts of the university’s administration. For the recruitment and integration of external research partners, it is crucial to demonstrate their role in the research and to develop a strategy for working with them to exploit results. This requires significant liaison meetings and visits to external partners. The demonstration within the research case of substantial university commitment to the proposal and alignment with university strategy. This also requires the investigator to work with a number of bodies within the university to develop a solid strategic and business case for the university commitment. Developing the research case at the core of any proposal is highly individual given the nature of the disciplines involved, the predicted needs of reviewers and the criteria of the call. The development of a case for a large grant requires the elaboration of a research case to be coordinated with other endeavours within the institution. This can be aided through a number of simple practical measures. Establish a series of regular meetings to develop a research case Large grants require the involvement of a large number of people nearly all of whom have very busy diaries. Although ultimately the writing of the proposal will be done by you or with only one or two others you really need to establish a timetable of meetings to gather input for the proposal as early as possible. Ideally, you should extend a broad set of invitations at the outset prior to focusing these meeting as the proposal takes shape. It often makes sense to have large open meeting at a regular time slot supplemented by more focused meetings with particular sub groupings. Involve RGS & Finance in proposal development When establishing the meetings to elaborate a research case you should extend invitations to members of RGS, Finance, IS, Estates or other central services who may need to be involved in the costing of the proposal and the later development of any strategic business case. Early exposure to the research case will allow everyone to understand the rationale for the various resources involved. RGS will usually assign a RBDE to provide support for major proposal development. It is imperative that you start costing a proposal as soon as possible through pFACT as this allows RGS and Finance to aid in the development of a strategic business case.
Annex A: Guidance on Developing the Research Case for the Investigator In order to submit a high quality proposal an investigator usually needs to address some or all of the following challenges: The assembly of a research case that sometimes brings together disparate disciplines with quite different research traditions and cultures. The development of the research proposal is time-consuming, requiring a significant programme of proposal development meetings and liaison with different parts of the university’s administration. For the recruitment and integration of external research partners, it is crucial to demonstrate their role in the research and to develop a strategy for working with them to exploit results. This requires significant liaison meetings and visits to external partners. The demonstration within the research case of substantial university commitment to the proposal and alignment with university strategy. This also requires the investigator to work with a number of bodies within the university to develop a solid strategic and business case for the university commitment. Developing the research case at the core of any proposal is highly individual given the nature of the disciplines involved, the predicted needs of reviewers and the criteria of the call. The development of a case for a large grant requires the elaboration of a research case to be coordinated with other endeavours within the institution. This can be aided through a number of simple practical measures. Establish a series of regular meetings to develop a research case Large grants require the involvement of a large number of people nearly all of whom have very busy diaries. Although ultimately the writing of the proposal will be done by you or with only one or two others you really need to establish a timetable of meetings to gather input for the proposal as early as possible. Ideally, you should extend a broad set of invitations at the outset prior to focusing these meeting as the proposal takes shape. It often makes sense to have large open meeting at a regular time slot supplemented by more focused meetings with particular sub groupings. Involve RGS & Finance in proposal development When establishing the meetings to elaborate a research case you should extend invitations to members of RGS, Finance, IS, Estates or other central services who may need to be involved in the costing of the proposal and the later development of any strategic business case. Early exposure to the research case will allow everyone to understand the rationale for the various resources involved. RGS will usually assign a RBDE to provide support for major proposal development. It is imperative that you start costing a proposal as soon as possible through pFACT as this allows RGS and Finance to aid in the development of a strategic business case.
development-framework-major-and-strategic-bids.docx