Scope of Learning & Research Support Fund
The fund aims to support mathematical projects which have demonstrable benefit to mathematics in Scotland. This includes conferences, workshops and summer schools in Scotland, lecture tours in Scottish universities and the publication of lecture notes or other monographs associated with such activities.
Awards
Small grants will be awarded to successful applicants, exceptionally up to £5,000. Applications over £3,000 should include justification for why they merit an exceptional award. The total amounts available for all grants in any financial year varies.
Form of Proposals
Applicants should first read the guidelines for submitting a proposal (i.e. the rest of this page), then complete the application form and provide, in addition, a case for support detailing how, when and where the award is to be spent. The case for support should be up to three A4 pages in length and should address the points laid out in the funding guidelines below. It should make clear what other support for the project has been awarded or has been sought and how the award will be of benefit to mathematics in Scotland. The Trust expects that organisers of conferences and activities who are seeking grants from the Trust will invite both male and female speakers, or explain why this is not appropriate or possible and give consideration to the provision of mechanisms to enable participation by people with children or family responsibilities. After completing the online form, applicants should email their detailed case for support to Georgie Colt at ICMS (Georgie.Colt@icms.org.uk).
All GMJT application data is held in accordance with ICMS privacy policy, which is fully GDPR complaint.
Funding Guidelines
The proposal should contain a detailed list of expenditure items to be covered by the Trust.
The Trust expects that organisers of conferences and activities who are seeking grants from the Trust will invite both male and female speakers, or explain why this is not appropriate or possible, and will give consideration to the provision of mechanisms to enable participation by people with children or family responsibilities.
Repeat proposals should not be submitted before a final report for the previous grant has been received.
Evening entertainment may be included where appropriate; for example applicants may request funds towards the costs of a conference dinner, for example covering or partially covering the cost for speakers, organisers, early career researchers, and research students. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, some level of contribution will normally be expected from participants. The cost of catered lunch and coffee breaks may also be included where appropriate.
Travel expenses for speakers, organisers, early career researchers, and research students may be included.
Regional network events: expenses relating to networks who run collaborative activities through regular meetings, amd where some of these meetings are in Scotland, will be funded.
Events taking place outside Scotland will only be supported if the organiser is able to clearly demonstrate the benefit to mathematics in Scotland.
Applications from postgraduate students will require a member of staff to act as financial guarantor.
The proposal should make clear what other support for the project has been awarded or has been sought and how the award will be of benefit to mathematics in Scotland.
We do not fund mini-symposia at larger conferences.
The Trust will not normally consider applications from individuals for their travel and/or subsistence expenses in connection with attendance at conferences.
Research visits: requests for support for research visits must include a plan for an external talk or activity. Please include a brief (2 pages max.) CV for the visitor.
The Trust will not cover the cost of conference or workshop registration fees.
Travel support guidelines: the Trust will grant travel support at the following rates: up to £125 for travel within the UK; up to £250 for travel within Europe; and up to £600 for travel from the Rest of the World.
Case for Support
The case for support should be up to three A4 pages in length and should cover the following points where applicable. You may also attach a brief cv.
Budget
Please provide a breakdown of costings and explain how the money is to be used.
School-based activities, conferences, workshops, summer schools and lecture tours
Description of the purpose and expected size of the event/activity, list of invited speakers or participants (if possible). Explain the relationship of the applicant to the organising body.
Publications
Purpose of the publication and (where appropriate) the main contributors.
Benefit
Please explain how the award will be of benefit to mathematics in Scotland.
Other financial support
Please give details of any other financial support, or applications for support, for instance from departments or other grant-giving bodies.
Assessment
The main criteria used to assess applications are their academic merit and benefit to the mathematical community (either individuals, groups or the mathematical community in general). The Trust expects that organisers of conferences and activities who are seeking grants from the Trust will invite both male and female speakers, or explain why this is not appropriate or possible and give consideration to the provision of mechanisms to enable participation by people with children or family responsibilities. It may be used to top up support from other sources. Please note that grants will not be made retrospectively.
Notes
Awards will normally be paid to the applicant's institution. If a grant is awarded, then a short report on the activity supported should be sent to the GMJT. This should include a brief, but complete, financial statement.
Closing Dates for Applications
There will be three rounds of awards each year. Closing dates for application are the 15th of January, April and October. It is hoped that confirmation of awards will be made within about six weeks from these dates. Please note that late applications will not be considered.
Successful Proposals
The Trust's support should be acknowledged and a short report on the activity supported must be sent to the Trust. The report should include an itemised list of expenditure to be covered by GMJT, as well as information about each event, such as a brief account of what took place and some information about attendance (ideally including information on career stage and gender of participants).