ReCLAIM - UCD Research Culture - Local Actions, Initiatives and Measures

Applications must be submitted via the (opens in a new window)UCD Research Management System Funding Opportunities page (https://ucd.elements.symplectic.org/GrantTracker/en/Portal/Page/Apply?roundid=74d7873d-a32f-45aa-aab0-b12400a975dd).

Application layout:

• Project Summary  (max 250 words)
• Project Details (max 1,500 words)
• Expected Outcomes (max 500 words)
• Potential for Broader Impact (max 300 words)
• Nature of Collaboration and Justification, if applicable (max 200 words)
• Budget Justification (max 500 words)

Research Culture and Environment is one of four themes in UCD’s Strategy for Research, Innovation and Impact, ‘Shaping the Future’. The strategy states that “we want every member of our research community to experience a positive culture that clearly values research and an environment that supports them to reach their full potential.”  Based on surveys, focus groups and other means of engagement with the community, the Research Culture Team have identified a desire for funding of local initiatives, to complement institution-wide research culture activities. The ReCLAIM fund will provide support for teams wishing to explore new ideas to foster a positive and supportive research culture locally,  that also have the potential for wider impact across the university.  It is anticipated that projects will explore innovative approaches to enhancing the environment in which research takes place, and the culture in which research is performed.

Funding for this scheme is provided by the Wellcome Institutional Fund for Research Culture.

For further information on UCD Research Culture actions visit our pages:

• What is Research Culture?
• Research Culture Surveys
• Research Culture World Cafés
• Research Culture Conferences
• Pilot Training on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics
• Best Practice in Mentoring

Eligibility criteria are broad so as to encourage a wide range of proposals.  Applications are invited from individuals or teams, involving anyone directly or indirectly contributing to UCD research outputs.  This includes graduate research students, technical officers, research managers/administrators, post-doctoral research associates, research fellows, other research-funded staff, and faculty. Collaborators from outside UCD may be involved, if appropriate, though the lead applicant must be internal.

Proposed projects should aim to develop and/or pilot initiatives that foster a positive and supportive culture within research teams, schools, colleges, units, or research institutes. They should demonstrate their potential impact by offering scope for adoption more widely across the university.

Types of projects that might be funded:

• Interactive workshops promoting supportive research culture within research teams or schools;
• Training in communications for research leaders, research team members and research managers;
• Networking for specific cohorts – for example graduate research students, technical officers, ECRs;
• Funding for seminars/short inward or outward visits, linked to enhancing research culture.
• Projects aiming to enhance collegiality, interdisciplinarity, or integrity in and between research teams

These are only examples; we encourage applicants to be as creative as possible in their proposals.  There are no limitations on what activities might be funded, (within the funding limits indicated) as long as their relevance to enhancing research culture is clear.  For further ideas, see the outcomes of our consultations with the UCD research community at www.ucd.ie/researchculture. If you would like to check in advance whether a proposed project would be eligible, you are invited to email (opens in a new window)research.culture@ucd.ie and including “ReCLAIM” in the email subject line.

Proposals should identify their potential for wider adoption across the research community.   Successful applicants will be expected to share their experiences (e.g. blog post, video, presentation at an event) outlining their experience in carrying out the project, and any follow-on plans. A portion of the budget can be allocated to such knowledge dissemination activities.  

Applications for projects up to 12 months duration are invited, with funding of up to €10,000 for each.  We expect to fund approximately eight awards in this round, and will hold two subsequent calls within the next 12 months.  

Eligible expenditure may include pay costs, consumables, equipment, travel and subsistence, and hosting of events.

• Round 1 opens: February 27^th 2024
• Deadline for applications: 12 noon Friday 5^th April 2024
• UPDATE: due to a technical issue beyond our control, results are now expected to be announced 10 May

Applications will be evaluated by a review panel appointed by the Research Culture team to include:

• Research Culture Team nominees x 2 (one of whom shall be Chair)
• HR Culture and Engagement nominee
• Research Staff Association nominee
• Graduate Studies nominee

All review panel members will be required to recuse themselves from review of any proposal for which they have a conflict of interest. 

The review panel will consider the following criteria, weighted as indicated.

• Alignment with the objectives of the call (33%)
• Potential for broader impact (33%)
• Feasibility for completion of the project within the requested period and resources (33%)

In addition, budget and budget justification will be scrutinised.

• Summary of achievements
• Budget reconciliation
• Knowledge dissemination activities over the project period and plans for any follow-on activities.

View or download the Terms and Conditions document:

ReCLAIM Terms and Conditions

View or download the Frequently Asked Questions document:

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not on our FAQ document, please contact us at (opens in a new window)research.culture@ucd.ie with ReCLAIM in the subject line.