The Word on the Leverhulme Street

Some news to emerge from Leverhulme recently:

• The Trust will be extending its online application system to include outline applications for Research Project Grants, International Networks and Artists in Residence from 14 July 2010. You will only be able to submit paper versions until 30 June 2010. For further information available click here.


• Leverhulme reckon they'll be big increase in applications to them from the hungry, the hunted, the poor huddled masses fleeing from the swingeing cuts at the Research Councils. They're batoning down the hatches in anticipation and not running any major initiatives in the foreseeable future.


• However, it will be running its Research Programmes this year, and plan to have the following three streams: 1) Resilience 2 ) Intergenerational Justice, 3) Science and Politics.


• The Director of the Trust, Professor Sir Richard Brook, has confirmed that the Trust has never had to turn down a proposal because of a lack of funds. In fact, the 2008 and 2009 Major Research Fellowship Scheme awarded less than its allocation due to the (perceived) paucity of the proposals it received.


• In light of this the Sciences have had the lion's share of Leverhulme funding in recent years. The Trust feels that there has been a lack of excellent proposals in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and would welcome more in these areas.


• Leverhulme has not bought into the whole Impact thing, nor any crowing about league tables or ratings. So avoid references to the RAE etc in your proposals.