Funding Call: Capitalising on the HSS Interactive Mapping Tool for Networks and Research Collaborations

Capitalising on the HSS Interactive Mapping Tool for Networks and Research Collaborations 

The mapping tool is a key component of the School’s Research Framework initiative (which completes Phase 2 in July 2025). Over the next months, the School will be focusing on:

(i) increasing mapping tool membership and enhancing data;

(ii) streamlining guidance on using the mapping tool; and

(iii) capitalising on benefits from the mapping tool’s insights, e.g. identifying research clusters and developing networks.  

Open Funding Call: Capitalising on Networks and Research Collaborations

To enable this, a one-off funding pot (£15k total) is available to support collaborative initiatives led by HSS researchers arising from connections made through the mapping tool.  

These initiatives might include but are not limited to:  

  • ‘Coffee with your Cluster’ – arranging networking events for those who have used the mapping tool to connect to get together in person; 
  • Writing Retreats – setting up workshops in small groups established through the mapping tool, to collaborate on articles, funding applications, or communications; 
  • Materials – contributing to costs of collaboration prompted by mapping tool connections, e.g. licence or publishing costs.  

Staff costs are not permitted under this call. However, if your proposal needs admin assistance that is not available within your Faculty or Department, please provide details as the SHSS Office may be able to provide some cover. Applications may include funds to support networking with external collaborators. However bringing together a group of collaborators internal to UCAM is an essential requirement.

The call will open on 31 January 2025. Applications for up to a maximum of £3k may be submitted at any time during Lent and Easter Term, or until such time as the fund is exhausted. Only one proposal per group/network is permitted. Proposals will be reviewed in rapid mode by the School of HSS Academic Project Directors for research. Proposals that aim to bring people together across Departments, and that are geared towards establishing new networks that will help to deepen research on the framework themes, will be prioritised. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and early applications are recommended. All spending must be processed before 30 June 2025 due to limits on funding for the Research Framework.  

APPLY

The application form requests the following details:

  1. Name 
  2. Email 
  3. Topic of collaboration 
  4. Names of collaborating Mapping Tool cluster members 
  5. Details of proposed collaboration initiative/activity. Please provide: 
    • A summary of your proposed initiative;  
    • An outline of projected outcomes and impact; and  
    • Confirmation that activities will be completed by June 2025. 
  6. Details of proposed budget (up to £3k per group/network, non-staff costs only; please outline catering, travel, accommodation costs if required). 
  7. Alignment with HSS research themes 
  8. SHSS Office administrative support needed? y/n; if Y then please provide details 

We now have over 300 researchers signed up to the map. We are currently spreading the word to encourage more colleagues to join. The value of the tool depends on the richness of the data we input and working across institutional boundaries will provide the most benefit for collaborative research; the tool is open to researchers at all career stages and working in relation to HSS wherever based in the Collegiate University. Please do share knowledge of this tool widely among your networks. 

Why a Mapping Tool?

In addition to supporting more than 20 interdisciplinary projects relating to the School’s research themes, the HSS Research Framework is developing as an instrument to support the School’s evolving Research Culture Action Plan. Underpinned by an aim to promote equal access to, and knowledge of, structures and staff supporting research and collaborative opportunities through enhancing transparency and visibility of networks and processes, the mapping tool is directly targeted to support this. More about the Mapping Tool initiative. 

The goal of the mapping tool project is to create an innovative, living support tool for researchers at all career stages to use in understanding research activities, mapping and exploring collaborations, and developing research projects. Through the tool you can begin to visualise and build research networks, identify researchers to connect with and explore their profiles and publications, filter according to research interests, themes, key research skills, career stage and much more to identify potential collaborators and better understand our complex research landscape and potential opportunities. 

Contact

Please direct any queries to HSSResearchFramework@admin.cam.ac.uk