Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the launch of the Institutional Research Leave Scheme 2024, a key initiative to enhance our research culture and support the University of Aberdeen's commitment to world-leading research.
This scheme provides an opportunity for research and research-related staff across all career stages— including Research Fellows, Advanced Research Fellows, Technicians, and colleagues in Professional Services—to dedicate time to projects that enhance our research environment, align with the Aberdeen 2040 strategy, and contribute to our next Research Excellence Framework (REF2029). This year we are also inviting team applications.
For this round, we particularly welcome proposals that strengthen our research culture and contribute to one or more of the following areas:
- Shared Standards of Excellence: Promoting integrity, transparency, and openness to ensure ethical and accessible research practices.
- Collective Problem Solving and Good Practice Sharing: Strengthening collaboration across the University to address challenges and share innovative practices.
- Recognising Contributions and Supporting Career Development: Fostering career growth and inclusive leadership through recognition and reward.
- Evidence-Informed Culture Change: Using evaluation strategies to drive continuous improvement through data-driven insights.
In addition, we invite proposals that enhance REF2029 impact and outputs by:
- Producing or strengthening world-leading (4*) research outputs.
- Supporting and enhancing ongoing work on impact case studies that meet world-leading standards.
Eligible projects should clearly demonstrate their contribution to the University’s research culture and/or excellence in impact and outputs. Examples may include establishing networks, implementing inclusive practices, developing evaluation frameworks, or fostering collaborations within and beyond the University.
Applications are invited for awards of up to £20,000, payable to Schools or Directorates, which can be used to cover replacement teaching, administrative or technical duties, and associated project expenses. Research leave will typically take place in the first half of the 2025/26 academic year.
To apply, fully costed applications with approval from your line manager and Head of School/Director must be submitted by 4 pm on 24 January 2025. Applicants will be notified of decisions in mid-March.
Further details about the scheme, including application forms and selection criteria, are available here.
Best wishes
Nick