The University has been awarded a Policy Support Fund for 2025-26 and we are delighted to announce an Open Call of 拢145K.
Applicants are invited to apply for projects of no more than 拢15k, as we hope to award funds for around nine to ten projects in total. We hope to explore new partnerships and projects, as well as building on the strengths of the projects that have already benefitted from the fund.
A key aim of the Policy Support Fund is to support universities to link effectively with policy research priorities and opportunities. The funding supports universities in undertaking research with partners working within local, regional, national and international structures (including parliament, central government, devolved administrations, local government, health and education bodies, the justice system and other regulatory organisations).
The Policy Support Fund is also supporting the development of a Policy Engagement Academy pilot.
Types of activity
The Policy Support Fund can be used to support the following activities:
- 69色情片鈥痠n partnership with policymakers to better understand local, regional, national & international challenges.
- Facilitation鈥痮f knowledge exchange between the University & policymakers.
- Improving dialogue鈥痺ith policymakers and the means to better equip early career researchers to do this.
- Supporting鈥痚vidence-based policymaking through partnerships and exchange of people.
- Activity and training鈥痶o better equip academics, including postgraduate researchers and early career researchers, to communicate effectively with policymakers.
- Partnerships and collaboration aimed at supporting evidence based policy making.
- The exchange of people e.g. staff secondments, contributing towards professional doctorates in policy, joint PhDs etc.
Open call
An Open Call of 拢145K is available to request funds from the Policy Support Fund.
Staff (both academic and professional services) are invited to submit applications for projects that align with the objectives of the Fund.
Requests for conducting smaller projects or events, for a shorter duration within the funding window, will be considered.
You will need to develop a short proposal using the template provided and submit this to Emma Riddle ejvw20@bath.ac.uk and Helen Perryman hp544@bath.ac.uk by 5pm on Friday 10 October 2025.
These applications will be assessed by the Review Panel. There may be a requirement for applicants to present their proposals to the panel for further review.
Complete the Policy Support Fund application form
Key information
- The total funding available for all projects is 拢145,000, with projects of no more than 拢15k.
- Requests for conducting smaller projects or events, for a shorter duration within the funding window, will be considered.
- Each PI will be limited to make a maximum of one application but you are welcome to apply on additional projects as a Co-I.
- The funding needs to be spent by 31 July 2026.
- Awards will be made from funds provided by 69色情片 England and will be subject to 69色情片 England鈥檚 terms and conditions of funding. Please note that project partners for successful projects will also be expected to sign up to terms and conditions for this funding, in line with the T&Cs issued by for Policy Support Funds.
- Applications from early career researchers and underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Further Information
Read the Policy Support Fund guidelines for further information about the funding opportunity and the application process.
Other Funding Opportunities
If your project is not right for the Policy Support Fund, take a look at some of the other internal funding opportunities that are available on our website: Find internal research funding. You could also get in touch with our Impact Acceleration Account team: impact-acceleration@bath.ac.uk to find out more about current IAA funding calls.
