Applying for AFSG Funding: Everything You Need to Know

Today, Monday 2nd December, we have opened applications for our minor and major exploratory grant funding programmes. Here is all the information you need to submit an application to us. Full information and guidance on the programmes, how to apply and what to expect is in the application pack.

What’s the purpose of these programmes?

Our minor exploratory funding programme offers two awards of up to £30,000 each with a one-year duration. These grants are intended to fund smaller exploratory research. Preference for these grants will be given to early career researchers.

Our major exploratory funding programme offers one award of up to £90,000 with a one-year duration. It is intended to be used for a major project and is open to all researchers.

The aim behind these programmes is to develop capacity for research by providing funds to conduct preliminary/exploratory research that will encourage innovation and increase the capacity of researchers to compete successfully for other, larger, research awards and other funding sources. Such projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Secondary analysis of existing data
• Pilot and feasibility studies
• Development or testing of instruments
• Development of research methodology
• Small, self-contained research projects

Who can apply?

• All applicants must be members of the AFSG. AFSG membership is free of-charge and open to anyone affiliated or working with a UK university who is interested in conducting or co-creating independent research on gambling-related harm.
• Research funding must be administered by a UK university.
• All applicants must complete a conflict of interest (COI) declaration. Projects including team members with significant COIs are ineligible for funding.

What is the timeline?

How do I apply?

Applicants must first submit an expression of interest (EOI) to register their interest in the programme. Applicants who do not first submit an EOI will not be eligible for consideration. The EOI will list basic information about you, your proposed project and team. Applicants who submit an EOI by the deadline can then submit a full proposal with details of the proposed research, a budget, CV, COI forms etc. Detailed information on how to prepare the proposal can be found in the application pack.

How are funding decisions made?

A peer review committee selected for their specific expertise will assess each proposal and independently score them. The full assessment rubric can be found in the application pack. These scores will then be aggregated by the team at Greo. Once this has been completed, an adjudication panel appointed by the AFSG Co-chairs will consider all applications, scores and reviewer comments to come to a consensus on which projects will receive funding.

And if I’m successful?

Successful applicants will be notified by Greo, who will administer and manage the grants on behalf of the AFSG. Report templates and details of deliverables are available in the full grant application pack.

What if my project is not selected this time around?

Unsuccessful applicants will be encouraged to resubmit to the next funding call using feedback from the peer reviewers to strengthen the proposal.

Whom do I contact with any questions?

Please direct any questions about the application or funding process to afsg-funding@greo.ca