The University has a fund which provides support for large bids. You can find further information on the Large Bid Fund and guidance how to apply here:
https://www.research-strategy.admin.cam.ac.uk/research-funding/support-large-bid-preparation
The team in the Research Strategy Ofiice can assist you, as we are aware the application process can be time consuming. The RSO can offer support with facilitation, coordination and input into large complex bids, particularly to promote cross-disciplinary grant applications.
Please get in touch if you are interested and we can help.
Cambridge Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Program 2024-25 call for online courses
A core objective of the collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the Mastercard Foundation is to create educational opportunities for African scholars, with a focus on climate resilience and sustainability. This includes two specific sub-elements of support for individual scholars:
(i) The enrolment of 500 young scholars from Africa to undertake master’s degrees at the University of Cambridge (from 2022 to 2030); and
(ii) The enrolment of 500 learners on online certificate and diploma programs, focused on the skills needs of early and mid-career professionals, to help develop the knowledge and capabilities which will enable them to pursue careers that drive climate resilience and sustainability on the continent.
While there are some existing online certificate and diploma courses that might respond to this need, the Mastercard Foundation programme at Cambridge provides opportunities for colleagues in Departments and Faculties to develop new courses. These are expected to respond to evidence-based assessments of demand for such programmes and would ideally be developed in collaboration with partners on the African continent. Funding from the Mastercard Foundation will provide scholarships to cover the enrolment costs (and stipends, if needed) for candidates from Africa. There are also funds to support course development costs.
This is a call for proposals from those who may wish to develop new courses to apply for funds to support this activity; up to £10,000 are available for each proposal. Those who are running existing courses which meet the overall objectives of the programme are also asked to respond to this call, in order to confirm the eligibility of these courses for the scholarships for African candidates.
This document provides further details on the programme, its intended target population, and procedure for developing new proposals. All new programmes will be expected to follow the normal procedures for course development, which are managed by the Educational Quality and Policy Office (https://www.educationalpolicy.admin.cam.ac.uk/new-modified-courses/new-t...).
Target population
The expectation is that these courses will target young people and professionals in Africa who are either early or mid-career to better prepare them to make substantive contributions to tackle climate change and sustainability challenges on the African continent. It is hoped that these courses will address gaps in provision especially for ‘working practitioners’ – young people who have, for example, already established momentum with a social venture or in their careers, for whom a non-residential and part-time online learning option may provide opportunities for self-development and skills to enhance impact and scale. The Mastercard Foundation programme emphasises a focus on inclusion, especially in relation to gender, internally displaced and refugee populations, and those who are differently abled.
Co-creation
Courses should be demand-driven, and there is also an opportunity to deepen engagement with government agencies, NGOs and companies to co-develop programmes that respond concretely to real needs. An element of co-creation to take account of the local context will help to ensure that proposed courses respond to the needs and contexts of the target population, while also recognising that situations are likely to vary across various regions on the African continent. Co-development of courses will also ensure the longer-term sustainability of these programmes beyond the funded period of the Cambridge Mastercard Foundation programme. Courses will also need to consider their overall business case, which is likely to include the enrolment of learners from other parts of the world. Course proposals will be subject to the normal internal scrutiny of academic and financial cases.
The call
In order to facilitate the development of new courses in response to this opportunity, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Program at the University of Cambridge is inviting colleagues from institutions within the University of Cambridge to submit proposals for support for course development, up to a maximum of £10,000. Eligible costs include staff time and travel, and any other justifiable course development expenses. For existing courses, these expenses can include ways in which course details need to adapt to the needs of the overall themes of the programme, and for their delivery to learners in Africa.
Colleagues are invited to respond to this call with a two-page summary of their proposed course, including the names of any potential external partners, to be submitted by Monday 3rd February 2025. The two-page summary should also include a proposed budget and timeline for course development activity. Proposals will need to be supported by Heads of Institution, to indicate their in-principle support of the proposed courses.
Submission format (two pages)
Title of course
Is this an existing course? Yes/No. If yes, please provide details of the existing course.
Brief description
• How does the course align to the climate resilience and sustainability theme?
• What skills will the course build?
• How do these skills equip learners to be better prepared to deal with the climate crisis and the challenges of sustainability?
• How will you assess the demand for this course?
• Length of course
• When will the course be ready for delivery? (the latest start date is academic year 2029-30).
Admissions and selection process for participants
• How will the online course be advertised?
• What mechanisms will be put in place to reach the widest range of countries and participants? The Mastercard Foundation programme emphasises a focus on inclusion, especially in relation to gender, internally displaced and refugee populations, and those who are living with disabilities. in terms of countries and priority groups are reached.
• What will be the selection criteria (e.g. minimum academic requirements or work experience)?
• How will the team run the application and selection process in a fair and inclusive manner?
Co-creation
• What is your partner institution (if any) for the co-development of the course? Please name individuals, if possible.
• Provide a brief description of how the team will integrate these partners in the co-creation (and delivery) of the course.
Expected costing
• Proposal development (up to £10,000) – please include a budget with key items of expenditure.
• Estimated cost per scholar on course (fees and stipend)
Deadline for submission: 3rd February 2025.
Submissions to: collaborative@mastercardfoundation.fund.cam.ac.uk
Response from internal approval process expected: March 2025.
Please note that if you are considering a new course, you will be expected to follow the University’s approval process:
https://www.educationalpolicy.admin.cam.ac.uk/new-modified-courses/new-t...
Restricted Call: Rosetrees Trust Interdisciplinary Award 2025 (Internal deadline: 7th January 2025)
The Rosetrees Trust has announce its Interdisciplinary Award 2025. The primary focus of the 2025 Award is to fund interdisciplinary research aimed at exploring the mechanisms of environmental impacts on public and human health. Applications can relate to any disease or medical condition that affects a significant proportion of the population and must include details on how the research can result in patient benefit within 5-10 years. Proposals should be interdisciplinary and must involve two lead applicants: a clinical specialist (clinician/clinician scientists, surgeons/ surgical scientists) and a non-clinical specialist with expertise in molecular biology, computing, engineering and mathematics or another relevant discipline.
Proposals are invited for projects with a value of up to £330,000 over 3 years, which can be used to support directly incurred costs relating to any aspect of the proposed research. The eligibility criterion of being a "tenured academic" refers to having either a permanent research contract OR a research contract that will outlast the Rosetrees grant. Moreover, this contract (either permanent or outlasting the grant) can be a clinical contract.
For further information about the scheme, please refer to the attached call text and the FAQs.
University Internal Selection Process
UK Institutions can submit a maximum of one application as the lead institution, so an internal selection process will be set up according to University’s restricted calls policy.
To take part in the internal selection process, please submit your nomination(s) via our online form by 7th January 2025 (if asked to log-in, please use your Raven details).
Applicants will need to have the following information ready to complete the online form submission (please note that forms cannot be saved and returned to):
- A project summary (max 800 words) covering the following:
- The interdisciplinary nature of the project
- The translational impact of the research
- The experience and track record of the lead applicants
- Two letters of support with one from each Head of Department of the two PIs, confirming their support for the project and that the lead department is happy to host the project should it be successful.
The internal review panel will assess applications against the following criteria, which are taken from the funder’s criteria for the preliminary application.
- Importance of research question being asked
- Track record of the PIs
- Potential for long-term translation
Funder deadlines
Preliminary application: 3rd March 2025
Full application (invite only): June 2025
If you have any queries, please contact us at researchstrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Documents
