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Isaac Newton Trust

 

The Isaac Newton Trust funds research at the University of Cambridge in all subjects.

What we do: principles

  • attempt to be responsive and flexible
  • prefer to help projects get off the ground, rather than sustain existing projects
  • aim to help secure funding from outside the University and/or from the School or Faculty
  • expect applicants to approach other funding bodies first wherever possible
  • prioritise early career researchers (see early career researchers)
  • assume that senior PIs will not need to approach the Trust, except for Emergency or Strategic funding
  • prioritise PDRA salary costs
  • make modest contributions to consumables and travel, only if a special case is made
  • occasionally make a contribution to purchasing a key item of equipment.

What we do not do: principles

  • fund research undertaken outside the University of Cambridge
  • provide all the funding for any project
  • act as a primary funder – other awards should be applied for before applying to INT
  • augment existing awards from external funding bodies unless a strong strategic rationale for the necessity is made
  • extend existing awards, except where this can be done at no extra cost to the Trust
  • reconsider unsuccessful applications for the same project (unless there has been a substantial material change in circumstances)
  • revise the amount offered (unless there has been an error)
  • provide long-term funding – we commit to no more than five years at any time and standard Research Grants are almost always for less than three years
  • tide over post-doctoral researchers repeatedly
  • match fund Wellcome Trust Junior Interdisciplinary Fellowshipsfor which matching funds must come from the host department
  • consider grant applications between rounds (see Research Grant Application Deadlines).

We do not fund:

  • overheads or Departmental or laboratory charges
  • core University business (eg teaching & professorial posts)
  • research that falls squarely under the remit of UKRI or other major funders
  • 'buying out' PI time (except for CTO research leave)
  • PhD students (except via the AHRC DTP)
  • Technicians (except in exceptional cases - please ask)
  • Apprenticeship levy, visa charges etc
  • Short-term visitors (except as part of a Strategic Programme)
  • Conferences
  • Publication costs

Further information can be found in our Terms & Conditions.

Trustees' Meeting Dates

Thursday 11 July 2024

Thursday 21 November 2024

Thursday 13 March 2025

 

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