‘Seed-Corn’ Research Fund 2010/2011
Submissions Invited from UK and Irish University Researchers
Closing Date: Friday 30 April 2010
Guidelines for Applicants
Purpose of Seed-Corn Fund
The fund provides a small research grant on a ‘seed-corn’ basis to enable logistics, supply chain and public transport/planning researchers based at UK and Republic of Ireland universities to explore issues of current, practical and academic interest. Preference will be given to projects, which aim to investigate or improve current practice.
The grant aims to assist researchers exploring new and emerging (research) areas in the hope that this will lead to the development of larger scale projects which will be able to attract further funding from other commercial and public sources. With this objective in mind, it is unlikely that the funding for any one project under this scheme will exceed £7,500 other than in exceptional cases.
In recent years the CILT(UK) has supported research on subjects as diverse as Humanitarian Aid, the Foot and Mouth Crisis, Logistics Workers Skills and Rail Freight Growth. The 20-09-10 grants were awarded to researchers at the University of Surrey and the University of Hull.
Details of the Awards and previous reports are available on CILT web site: www.ciltuk.org.uk/pages/seedcornfund
Applications must include the following:
- Objectives of the project
- Context - relevant literature, industrial setting
- Methodology to be used - data sources, analysis, etc
- Deliverables from the project and likely benefits
- Dissemination and exploitation of results
- Funds requested and the use to which they will be put (see notes below)
- Details of the research group or individual
- Programme of work and timing
- Risk Analysis to project success e.g. access to data.
Please note:
- If the applicant is an inexperienced researcher it is recommended that they seek a mentor for the duration of the project. Details to be included in the proposal.
- Funding software licences and laptops must be justified
- Funds will not include conference attendance unless considered essential to the development of the research
Time Scale and Expected Outcomes
Successful applicants will receive notification of funding by July 2010. The project will start no later than 1 October 2010 and last for one year. Progress reports will be requested in May and November which will demonstrate progress against the original proposal and highlight any deviations. An abstract should be submitted to the Logistics Research Network Conference, September 2011. The final report should be submitted for CILT(UK) approval by mid November 2011. Details of the final report format will be sent to the successful researchers with the offer letter.
Applications should be limited to four pages of A4 and sent by email AND hard copy to:
Sarah Skinns, Account Executive, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK), Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, Northants NN17 4AX.
Email: sarah.skinns@ciltuk.org.uk Tel: 01536 750166