Research Development
We provide support to Heriot-Watt University researchers develop, construct and cost research proposals to a wide variety of funders:
- we work flexibly to provide the level of support required by each individual or group
- we provide information on funding policy, funding opportunities, indicators of success for particular schemes
- we run an annual programme of events on particular aspects of research or research funders
- we support development of research proposal including mock panels, interviews
- we coordinate internal selection, for example where the University can only submit a limited number of applications, and development of strategic bids
- we provide support on external submission systems including approvals
- we set up your awards and provide information on the process.
Please get in touch with us if you are interested in applying for a research grant: researchdevelopment@hw.ac.uk
External Fellowship Candidates
If you’re an external candidate interested in applying for a Fellowship to be hosted at Heriot-Watt University, you must apply initially via the Heriot-Watt University Fellowship College. The Fellowship College does not provide funds - successful applicants to the Fellowship College ultimately apply to one of the many external funders who fund fellowships e.g. UKRI, Royal Society, British Academy.
Note: if you are an internal candidate, you can find all the information you need on the Research Development Team Sharepoint.
Your first step should be to identify a suitable mentor at Heriot-Watt University and start discussing your proposed research and the scheme(s)/funder(s) you wish to apply to. Having a mentor at the University is a pre-requisite for all applications to our internal Fellowship College.
You then submit a short outline application to our Fellowship College which will be reviewed by a panel of senior academics. There may also be an informal interview stage which most applicants find extremely valuable.
Fellowship College - internal deadlines 2023/24
- 29 May 2023
- 28 August 2023
- 27 November 2023
- 26 February 2024
If approval is given for your full application to proceed, you’ll be supported by your Mentor and the Research Development Team to prepare your full application/budget for internal approval and submission to the funder.
Preparing a quality Fellowship application is a significant undertaking – outline applications from external candidates should be made to a Fellowship College deadline which is at least 6 months in advance of the funder deadline, but earlier applications are welcome.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships
Specific guidance for those wishing to apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships to be hosted at Heriot-Watt University:
We expect the funder’s deadline to be 13 September 2023. As a first step you should identify a supervisor here at the University. Please start discussion with your proposed supervisor as soon as possible, and together prepare your outline application for submission to the Heriot-Watt University Fellowship College, for the internal deadline of 29 May 2023.
For further information about the Fellowship College, dates for our regular briefing sessions or to be emailed an application pack please, email fellowships@hw.ac.uk and cc your mentor (or supervisor if a MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship).