University Research Leave Fellowship Scheme 2016/17 –
Call for Applications
Contents:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Background
Objectives
Operation of the Scheme
Criteria
Equality and Diversity
Application and Assessment Process
a. Stage One – School Level
b. Stage Two – University Level
7. Post Award
Annex A – Applicant form for Research Leave Fellowship Scheme applicants
Annex B - Optional form for applicants to declare additional factors that they would like the panel to
take into consideration
Annex C – Declaration from the submitting Head of School.
University Research Leave Fellowship Scheme 2016/17 – Call for Applications
1.
Background
The establishment of a prestigious institutionally funded Research Leave Fellowship Scheme is
outlined as one of the underpinning activities to support the Research, Innovation and Enterprise
Way Forward 2012-2017. An institutional Research Fellowship Leave Scheme is expected to
enhance the University’s research environment and infrastructure and complement the current
University Study Leave Policy. A comprehensive review of the current policy and provision as well as
the range of practices within individual Schools is currently being undertaken of which the outcome
will reflect in future Research Leave Fellowship Schemes.
Last year’s scheme was widely well received by Heads of Schools and Directors of Research and the
number of applications submitted to previous schemes shows the level of demand (with researchers
from all three colleges receiving awards). A scheme for funding 2016/17 Research Leave Fellowships
has been established and applications are now invited for periods of research leave to be taken in
the 2016/17 academic year, with awards being spent by 31 July 2017.
The Research Leave Fellowship scheme will contribute to strengthening the research environment,
which is a key ambition of the Research, Innovation & Enterprise Way Forward. The scheme is also
aligned with the aim of concentrating our efforts and resources on research excellence with impact,
as outlined in the Way Forward.
2.
Objectives of the scheme
The centrally-funded Research Leave Fellowship scheme, with the explicit aim of promoting excellent
research, will have the following further objectives and benefits:

It will promote and support ambitious research: extended periods of dedicated research time
will allow for more complex projects to be undertaken.

It will be ambassadorial: the scheme will have built into it the encouragement for the Fellows to
promote their research field and discipline beyond Cardiff and to use the opportunity given to
develop impact activities that speak to research strengths and clusters within and across schools.

It is anticipated that staff who are awarded a Research Leave Fellowship will go on to produce
high quality outputs and/or impact cases studies in time for the next REF.
3. Operation of the Scheme

UEB has approved continuation of the scheme for 2016-17. £600K has been allocated for this
scheme, to fund up to 40 awards of £15K each. Funding should be used to cover the cost of
replacement teaching, with at least £3K reserved to be used in any way that will best support
the delivery of the research objectives, which may include:
o
o
o
Travel and subsistence – although there is no expectation that Research Leave;
Fellows will necessarily need to travel during the period of leave;
Support of a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant;
Access to facilities or resources;
(This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it exclusive).

The period of Research leave will be a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months, to
be taken within the time frame of 01 August 2016 – 01 September 2017. Funding from the
awards must be spent by 31 July 2017.

Since schools need to be able to programme and time such leave without it having a detrimental
impact on the smooth running of the School, Heads of School are charged with the
responsibility of selecting those that they are able to support and thus ‘sign off’. Schools are
expected to establish a small panel to consider submissions against the Scheme criteria (see 4.1
and 4.2 below) and to ensure they can support applications in terms of releasing those staff from
other duties and the imperative to maintain teaching quality.

Schools submitting a number of candidates are asked to rank them. In assessing and ranking
applications, and in particular in the application of the secondary criteria for the scheme (see 4.2
below), the School panel will need to take account of the contractual status of the applicant
and/or any circumstances declared by the applicant that may have had an effect on an
individual’s research track record to date to ensure that any absences for criteria outlined in 5.4
below do not adversely affect the candidate’s ranking.

Applications submitted by Schools will be considered by a small group, chaired by a nominated
Dean of Research, deputising for the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and
Enterprise. This panel will assess applications against the Scheme criteria. The additional
information provided by candidates will not be circulated with the applications but will be held
confidentially and will be available for the Chair to refer to in the meeting should that be
necessary.
4.
Criteria for the Scheme
To be eligible for consideration:

Research leave will normally be granted to applicants who have been employed at Cardiff
University for a minimum of 5 years.

Applicants must be contractually eligible for submission to the next REF (ie: on a Teaching and
Research career pathway, or an independent researcher on a Research-Only contract);

Applicants may be employed on a full-time, part-time or job-sharing basis;

Applications to the fund must be submitted and endorsed by Schools who will need to ensure
they can support the absence of the individual and ensure that the quality of teaching will not
be compromised by an award.

Staff who have previously received School funding for a period of Research leave are still entitled
to apply for funding under this scheme.
Eligible applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
4.1 Primary Criteria:

Research Excellence – the quality of the research idea;

The plan of work for the period, including plans for the publication of outputs, generating
research income, collaboration and wider impact

Research Excellence - the quality of the research idea;

Alignment with the College & School’s research strategy

The plans for the use of the allocated funding
4.2 Secondary Criteria:

As an indicator of the individual’s capacity to undertake the research, the panel may take
account of the individual’s research record to date. However, in doing so they will need to take
into account contractual status and any other relevant declared factors that have had an effect
on the candidate’s research performance.

The extent to which individuals have explored alternative or additional sources of funding.

The length of time since the individual’s last period of research leave
5. Equality and Diversity
5.1 Cardiff University is committed to promoting equality in all of its practices and activities. The
University celebrates diversity and recognises that the different backgrounds, experiences,
views, beliefs and cultures that individuals bring to the institution enhance the working
environment and reputation of the University. The procedures used by the University in respect
of the Research Leave Fellowship Scheme are intended to be open, fair and equitable.
5.2 Should any applicants require reasonable adjustment costs to accommodate disability, please
contact Sarah Roberts in Planning (Robertss37@cardiff.ac.uk or 029 2087 4549) to discuss. This
will be treated in confidence and will not affect the outcome of your application.
5.3 This Scheme is equally open to full-time, part-time, and job-sharing staff. In assessing cases, the
School Panel will take into account the contractual arrangements (full-time, part-time or jobshare of the candidate’s employment), and other relevant factors (see section 5.4 below) in
applying the scheme criteria to approve and rank applicants for consideration by the University
panel. More specifically, in considering the secondary criteria (section 4.2 above), account will
be taken of any personal, familial or other non-academic circumstances that may have restricted
or delayed the development of an applicant’s research performance to date. Taking into
account all the relevant factors, decisions on whether or not to support an application and put it
forward to the University panel, will be based on the extent to which the application meets the
quality criteria for the Scheme, and the ability of the School to support the period of research
leave and the imperative to maintain teaching quality.
5.4 Candidates are therefore invited to provide, if appropriate, information on:

absences for maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave and arrangements on return to
work following these periods;
part-time or other flexible working arrangements



periods of absence or flexible working arrangements or limitations on speed of working
arising from a disability, ill-health or injury;
career breaks
personal, familial, or other non-academic circumstances that have restricted or delayed the
applicant’s professional career.
5.5 Any information provided will be held confidentially and used strictly for the purposes of
administering and assessing applications at a School level.
6. Application & Assessment Process
Stage One – School level
6.1 Heads of School (or nominee) will ensure that eligible staff within the School are aware of the
internal deadline and process for the submission of applications.
6.2 Applicants should submit their applications in Word format using the form at Annex A, Annex B
and Annex C, according to their local arrangements as advised via their Head of School (or
nominee);
6.3 Heads of School will establish a small internal panel for the assessment of applications.
6.4 Heads of School should ensure that any information provided concerning relevant factors should
be held confidentially and used strictly for the purposes of assessing the application received.
6.5 The School panel will assess each application against the criteria for the Scheme, and the ability
of the School to support an individual’s absence from normal duties. Consequently, their
decisions to support and rank applications for submission to the University panel must be based
on:



the extent to which they meet the quality criteria for the scheme – where the secondary
criteria apply (see paragraph 4.2) the panel should take account of any relevant factors
including contractual status and/or those declared by the individual;
the extent to which the School can accommodate the individual’s absence from normal
duties; and in particular
confirmation that teaching quality will not be compromised.
6.6 Having assessed and ranked applications, Heads of School should submit the following in Word
format to Planning@Cardiff.ac.uk by midday, Friday, 27 November 2015 using the form at
Annex C:
 Applications (Annex A) from those applicants they wish to endorse;
 Declared circumstances (Annex B) from those applicants they wish to endorse;
 a ranking of applications (Annex C), noting where declared circumstances were taken into
account;
 a list of applicants whose applications were not supported (for the purposes of E&D
monitoring);
 confirmation that in supporting these applications they can manage the absence, that
teaching quality will not be compromised and that their recommendations are equitable
and transparent in relation to the allocation of research time.
6.7 Heads of School should ensure that within 5 working days of the School panel meeting they feed
back to individuals whether or not their application has been supported and submitted to the
University panel for consideration.
Stage Two – University Level
6.8 The University panel will meet in January to consider all applications forwarded by the schools.
6.9 The University Panel will be chaired by Professor Rick Delbridge, University Research Dean for
Research Innovation & Enterprise and comprised of Research Deans and suitable
representatives. The University panel will judge and confirm the outcome of the applications.
6.10 Assuming that applications forwarded by Schools can be supported, the panel will assess each
application against the criteria for the Scheme. Their decisions to award funding should be
based on:

the extent to which the applications meet the quality criteria for the Scheme; where the
secondary criteria apply the panel will note that individual circumstances apply and if
necessary the Chair will consider the detail submitted by the applicant. Otherwise this
information will be held confidentially by the secretariat and destroyed after the meeting.

Where the number of applications exceeds the value of the fund, the panel will rank
applications (taking account of the School’s rankings) and fund as many applications that
meet the quality criteria for the Scheme, as can be supported within the available funding.
6.11 The panel secretariat will confirm the outcome of the applications with Schools and individual
applicants within 5 working days of the panel meeting.
7. Post award
Schools will be required to submit a post-award report detailing the extent to which the
individual applicant has completed the plan of work and delivered the objectives as agreed.
Furthermore monitoring will be undertaken as part of preparations for the next REF in order to
evaluate the extent to which this scheme contributes to that submission.
Any queries regarding the Research Leave Fellowship Scheme should be addressed to: Sarah
Roberts, Planning Division, robertss37@cardiff.ac.uk or Extn: 74549.
ANNEX A
APPLICATION FOR RESEARCH LEAVE FELLOWSHIP SCHEME
Please complete the application form below and submit it in Word format to Planning according to
your internal School procedures.
Name
Applicant HR staff number. This is displayed on your Staff ID card starting 100XXXXXX or
101XXXXX.
School
Job Title / Grade
Date of appointment
Note: Under University regulations, normally academic staff are entitled to apply for 12 months
research leave if they have a minimum of five years continuous service.
Please confirm you have five or more years continuous service.
Previous Research Leave Taken
Please confirm date and length of any previous research leave taken during employment at Cardiff
University.
From: _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year) Length of time taken: ______
From: _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year) Length of time taken: ______
Period of proposed Research Leave
Note: A period of research leave will normally be for a 6- 12 month period and is required to be taken
between 01 August 2016 – 01 September 2017.
From: _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year) To: _ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year)
Outline the purpose of your proposed Research Leave, including the major activities involved and
the location(s) if you will be working away from Cardiff
Describe how undertaking Research Leave will contribute to your own personal and professional
development, including enhancement of your return to the next REF, if appropriate
Please describe how the proposed Research Leave will contribute to the research priorities and
performance of the School and/or College
Please list the primary outcomes that will be achieved during your period of research leave
Please list any sources of funding that will be used to support your period of
Research Leave
Please identify all teaching and other activities that will have to be covered during your period of
Research Leave
Signature of Applicant
Date
_ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year)
PLEASE ATTACH A CURRENT CV TO THIS APPLICATION – MAXIMUM LENGTH FIVE PAGES
PLEASE COMPLETE ANNEX B IF YOU WISH THE PANEL TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ADDITIONAL FACTORS
Declared Circumstances
ANNEX B
Please complete the boxes below if you wish the panel to take account of additional factors.
Information provided will be held confidentially and used strictly for the purposes of assessing the
application. The information will be available to the members of the School panel. For those
applications that are supported by the School and forwarded to the University panel, the
information will be held confidentially by the secretariat and only made available to the Chair
should he wish to refer to it. After the meeting the information will be destroyed.
Name
School
If relevant, please provide an account of factors that have had an effect on your research
performance to date. This may include
•
absences for maternity, paternity, parental or adoption leave and arrangements on return
to work following these periods;
•
part-time or other flexible working arrangements
•
periods of absence or flexible working arrangements or limitations on speed of working
arising from a disability, ill-health or injury;
•
career breaks
•
personal, familial, or other non-academic circumstances that have restricted or delayed
the applicant’s professional career.
ANNEX C
CONFIRMATION OF SUPPORT FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL
Please complete this form and submit it to Planning with the applications that you wish to
support.
Any declarations of personal circumstances considered by the School panel should be removed
before submitting to the University panel.
School
A ranked list of applicants you wish to support
If relevant, please list the applicants who submitted applications that you have not put forward for
the University Research Leave Scheme for the purposes of E&D monitoring.
Relevant additional support Please detail additional support being provided from within School
resources to support the applications (where relevant).
Signature of Head of School Please confirm that in supporting these applications the School can
manage the absence of the individuals listed, that teaching quality will not be compromised and
that your recommendations are equitable and transparent in relation to the allocation of research
time in the School.
Signature:
Date:
_ _ / _ _ / _ _ _ _ (Day/Month/Year)
PLEASE submit this form with the applications to Planning@cardiff.ac.uk by midday, Friday, 27th
November 2015.