The University of Aberdeen last night (Wednesday, May 26) held a reception for awardees from this year's Small Grants Fund.
Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal and Vice Chancellor, and Professor Dominic Houlihan, Vice Principal for Research & Commercialisation, held an informal reception at the University and announced that the funding scheme that helped many staff and students to further their research in the past year will continue in the forthcoming academic year.
The Small Grants Fund is open to both students and staff to help with academic projects, such as field trips for dissertation purposes, or travel to further research work. The scheme provides funding to meet some aspects of academic projects that cannot be met through normal College budgets.
Welcoming the continuance of the funding, Professor Rice, said: "For many at the junior stage of their careers, it can be difficult to get the funding you need in order to get that crucial first research project going and to take forward research, or do things such as organise seminars or undertake field work.
"The scheme is primarily intended to support the academic development of our junior academic staff and postgraduate students who we know are vital to the future research strength of the University.
"I am delighted that the funding will be continuing in the forthcoming academic year."
Professor Houlihan added: "It's clear from the feedback we have had how much help the scheme has been to people at the University.
"The grants available range from £200 to £1,500 and may be used to support student expeditions or field trips for dissertation purposes, to cover travel to a conference or colloquium, or to further research through visits or travel.
"We want to encourage as many members of our junior academic staff and postgraduate students to consider whether research projects they are involved in or planning could be supported by the scheme."
Decisions about awards from the Small Grants Fund are made by a committee headed by Professor Houlihan.
For further information about the Small Grants Fund, visit: www.abdn.ac.uk/central/grants.hti
Picture caption: Pictured at last night's Small Grants Reception are Professor Dominic Houlihan, Vice Principal for Research & Commercialisation, and Ms Ruiduan Li, from Politics and International Relations. Ms Li received funding from the Small Grants Fund and went to China to gather PhD research.
Picture credit: Kate Sutherland.