Academic Research Grants
Below we have highlighted grants for which planetary scientists with permanent positions may be eligible to apply. Postdoctoral researchers may also be eligible in some cases - please be sure to follow the links provided for further information regarding application deadlines, procedures and eligibility.
Leverhulme Research Project Grants
Offering up to £500,000 over five years for research on a topic of the applicant’s choice. Grants cover salary and research costs directly associated with the project.
The Leverhulme Trust favours applications that surmount traditional disciplinary academic boundaries and involve a willingness to take appropriate degrees of risk in setting research objectives. Furthermore, as part of the application the candidate will be required to highlight why the Leverhulme Trust is the most appropriate agency for the support of their project.
Candidates must already be employed by the institution at which the grant will be held and if on a fixed contract, the contract must run for at least the period over which the grant will run.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-project-grants/eligibility
Offering up to £500,000 over five years for research on a topic of the applicant’s choice. Grants cover salary and research costs directly associated with the project.
The Leverhulme Trust favours applications that surmount traditional disciplinary academic boundaries and involve a willingness to take appropriate degrees of risk in setting research objectives. Furthermore, as part of the application the candidate will be required to highlight why the Leverhulme Trust is the most appropriate agency for the support of their project.
Candidates must already be employed by the institution at which the grant will be held and if on a fixed contract, the contract must run for at least the period over which the grant will run.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-project-grants/eligibility
Leverhulme Research Leadership Awards
Supporting talented researchers who have successfully launched a university career but who need to build a research team to address a distinct research problem. Between £800,000 and £1 million over four to five years for staff salaries and associated research costs.
The Leverhulme Trust favours applications that surmount traditional disciplinary academic boundaries and involve a willingness to take appropriate degrees of risk in setting research objectives. Furthermore, as part of the application the candidate will be required to highlight why the Leverhulme Trust is the most appropriate agency for the support of their project. Candidates will have held a university post for at least two years but will not yet have developed their academic career such that the trajectory of their research contribution has become firmly established. Each institution is limited to one bid only.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-leadership-awards
Supporting talented researchers who have successfully launched a university career but who need to build a research team to address a distinct research problem. Between £800,000 and £1 million over four to five years for staff salaries and associated research costs.
The Leverhulme Trust favours applications that surmount traditional disciplinary academic boundaries and involve a willingness to take appropriate degrees of risk in setting research objectives. Furthermore, as part of the application the candidate will be required to highlight why the Leverhulme Trust is the most appropriate agency for the support of their project. Candidates will have held a university post for at least two years but will not yet have developed their academic career such that the trajectory of their research contribution has become firmly established. Each institution is limited to one bid only.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-leadership-awards
Leverhulme Research Fellowship
Fellowships providing experienced researchers, particularly those prevented by routine duties, the opportunity to conduct a programme of research in all subject areas except disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals.
The fellowships provide research expenses over and above normal living costs and/or provide a contribution towards reasonable replacement costs or loss of earnings up to £55,000 over 3 to 24 months.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate experience and academic background sufficient to confirm their ability to complete the proposed research and may not be registered for a degree or doctoral studies.
Number awarded varies but in 2018 they anticipate ~95 fellowships will be awarded.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-fellowships
Fellowships providing experienced researchers, particularly those prevented by routine duties, the opportunity to conduct a programme of research in all subject areas except disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals.
The fellowships provide research expenses over and above normal living costs and/or provide a contribution towards reasonable replacement costs or loss of earnings up to £55,000 over 3 to 24 months.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate experience and academic background sufficient to confirm their ability to complete the proposed research and may not be registered for a degree or doctoral studies.
Number awarded varies but in 2018 they anticipate ~95 fellowships will be awarded.
Further information: https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/funding/grant-schemes/research-fellowships
Daphne Jackson Trust Research Fellowship
Fellowships awarded to researchers in STEM subjects who have had a career break for family, caring or health reasons and wish to return to research.
The awards are typically for a duration of up to two years, part-time.
Candidates must be a resident of the UK with the right to remain in the UK indefinitely, have at least 3 years of research experience and/or a PhD and have had a career break of two or more years (for family, caring or health reasons).
Number awarded varies each year.
Further information: http://www.daphnejackson.org/fellowships/
Fellowships awarded to researchers in STEM subjects who have had a career break for family, caring or health reasons and wish to return to research.
The awards are typically for a duration of up to two years, part-time.
Candidates must be a resident of the UK with the right to remain in the UK indefinitely, have at least 3 years of research experience and/or a PhD and have had a career break of two or more years (for family, caring or health reasons).
Number awarded varies each year.
Further information: http://www.daphnejackson.org/fellowships/
UKSA Aurora
This scheme is open to academics and individual scientists from the UK or overseas, working at UK Research Organisations, for proposals to fund:
· Fellowships to develop promising early career researchers or allow existing academics to discipline-hop
· Post Doctorate Research Assistants
· Studentships
· Support for academics to participate in international science teams to exploit data from future missions such as the NASA InSight mission
Further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/announcement-of-opportunity-aurora-science-2018
This scheme is open to academics and individual scientists from the UK or overseas, working at UK Research Organisations, for proposals to fund:
· Fellowships to develop promising early career researchers or allow existing academics to discipline-hop
· Post Doctorate Research Assistants
· Studentships
· Support for academics to participate in international science teams to exploit data from future missions such as the NASA InSight mission
Further information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/announcement-of-opportunity-aurora-science-2018
Royal Astronomical Society Grants for Studies
Grants of £250 to £5,000 to support researchers in the field of astronomy and geophysics for study or research projects, undergraduate bursaries, purchase of instruments, development of instruments, meetings and travel.
Any Fellow of the RAS may apply for a grant although it is normally expected that the candidate will provide evidence of application for matching funding from other sources.
Further information https://ras.ac.uk/awards-and-grants/grants-for-studies-overview
Grants of £250 to £5,000 to support researchers in the field of astronomy and geophysics for study or research projects, undergraduate bursaries, purchase of instruments, development of instruments, meetings and travel.
Any Fellow of the RAS may apply for a grant although it is normally expected that the candidate will provide evidence of application for matching funding from other sources.
Further information https://ras.ac.uk/awards-and-grants/grants-for-studies-overview