Maynooth University Research Seed Funding Call (2024-25)

    Maynooth University is committed to fostering innovative, excellent research. The Research Seed Fund aims to support early-career researchers, enabling them to establish themselves as lead investigators, support colleagues in developing pilot data or foundational work critical for pursuing cutting-edge, transformative research, and assist those requiring resources to complete significant projects.

    Specific objectives of this initiative include:

    • Pursue new research opportunities or develop preliminary data to support competitive applications for external funding, particularly from Horizon Europe, the European Research Council, the Health Research Board, Research Ireland, and the Wellcome Trust.
    • Advance innovative ideas with tangible impacts on specific disciplines or broader scholarly work, leading to specific and significant outcomes.
    • Support the professional growth of early-career researchers, positioning them for long-term success.
    • Enhance Maynooth University's reputation through impactful research outcomes and increased visibility in national and international funding arenas.

    2024-25 Awards:

    • Number of Awards: Approximately 10, depending on total budget requests.
    • Value: Up to €10,000 each.
    • Duration: Projects must be completed within one year.
    • Funding Allocation:
    • €8,000 provided at project commencement.
    • €2,000 contingent upon successful submission of an End of Project Report, detailing outcomes to date and, where relevant, readiness for external funding applications.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    Researchers affiliated with Maynooth University with a contract extending beyond the proposed project timeline

    For applicants preparing for external funding applications:

    • The applicant must be eligible, at the time of submission, to apply for the specific external funding opportunity indicated.

    For applicants identifying as early-career researchers:

    • A fixed definition is not adopted; instead, applicants should articulate how their career stage aligns with this category, recognising diverse academic pathways.

    Projects must align with one of Maynooth University’s Beacon Areas.

    Key Dates (Indicative):

    • Deadline for Applications: February 7th 2025
    • Selection Panel Review: March 2025
    • Award Announcement: May 2025 (before summer)

    Application Process:

    Applicants are required to:

    1. Submit a project proposal (maximum 5 A4 pages, size 12 font) outlining:

    • Objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.
    • Alignment with Maynooth University’s Beacon Areas.
    • The innovative aspects of the research.
    • The potential to secure external funding or achieve a significant scholarly outcome.
    • The benefit to the career development of the Principal Investigator (PI).
    • Provide a detailed project timeline, including milestones for project completion and subsequent funding applications or specific outcomes.

    2. Submit a separate budget proposal in Excel format.

    Selection Criteria:

    Applications will be evaluated based on:

    1. Excellence (0-5): Alignment with Maynooth University’s Beacon Areas and strategic goals, including the scholarly merit of the research.
    2. Implementation (0-5): Feasibility of the project plan and completion within the one- year timeline, including achieving the stated research funding proposal or specific outcome.
    3. Impact/Opportunity (0-5): Significance of the work to be completed or demonstrated benefit to the career development of the PI.

    Selection Panel and Awards:
    Proposals will be reviewed by a selection panel comprising senior staff from across the University and external reviewers selected by the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI). Panel members will disclose any potential conflicts of interest.  Awards will be based on panel recommendations, with final decisions made by the VPRI.

    Preparing Your Application:
    The Research Seed Fund is designed to support projects with diverse outcomes, including securing external funding or achieving a significant scholarly milestone, such as completing a substantial piece of work.
    Applicants should tailor their proposals to reflect the specific goals of their project. The following advice can help strengthen your application:

    • Engage Early: External funding applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Research Development Office (RDO) before submitting their applications. The RDO will be able to provide tailored guidance. Email: [email protected].
    • Seek Feedback: Share a draft of your proposal with trusted colleagues or mentors to ensure clarity, feasibility, and alignment with the fund's objectives.
    • Articulate Impact: Clearly demonstrate the value and significance of your research, whether through its potential to secure funding, contribute to your discipline, or achieve an impactful outcome.
    • Plan Effectively: Develop a realistic timeline, including milestones that illustrate progress toward either securing external funding or completing a specific scholarly goal.
    • Utilise Mentorship: Seed funding recipients will have access to mentors who can provide expert advice tailored to their project goals. For those pursuing external funding, mentors will offer two meetings and one review of the draft funding application.

    Regardless of whether your project focuses on external funding preparation or a significant academic outcome, thorough preparation and strategic articulation of your objectives will maximise the impact of your application.
     

    Submitting your application:

    Upload your application here: 

    Questions here: [email protected]