What is the IAD Action Fund
About the IAD Action Fund and its aims.
You can apply for funding to develop and support your academic networks and communities and/or test ideas for creative learning activities. We will fund projects that support the professional and personal development of groups of students, researchers and academics at every stage of their career. People can apply to run projects aimed at their own peer group or run collaborative events and projects to involve people at different points in their career.
The aim of the fund is to support applicants to:
- Establish, develop or support internal interdisciplinary networks, particularly strategically important internal cross-School and cross-College networks, and internal academic communities within a discipline, School or subject area, particularly involving both staff and students.
- Run innovative professional or academic development activities/events, considering collaborative events and community-building and/or creative learning practices which would support groups of colleagues or students to develop skills in leadership, communication, networking, writing and other generic transferable skills. We encourage you to explore experimental or creative approaches to professional development.
- Run a large scale Festival of Creative Learning Pop-up event or project. Please refer to the Festival of Creative Learning website for additional information about Pop-ups.
- Create the potential for impact for the organising team and/or your wider community. The project could be an opportunity to learn from new formats that could be useful for other projects.
All project proposals should have an internal rather than external focus. They should have a clear benefit to University staff and students, and be relevant to your target audience. Projects should also demonstrate clear and achievable goals.
Budget: They should also have a clear and sensible budget breakdown that demonstrates that you are applying for an appropriate amount of money to deliver your project. Don’t ask for the maximum amount you can request, ask for what you need and show that there is value for money.
Who can apply?
This scheme is open to University of Edinburgh staff and students.
Levels of funding available
There are two levels of funding available.
In Academic Year 19/20 we have a reduced level of funding available for both funding schemes. In order to ensure the funds are distributed as far as possible, we recommend that you ensure your application has been costed accurately, you have a clear budget breakdown and that you ask for only the exact money necessary to deliver your project. Please note that we may close the fund earlier than the end of the academic year, if all funding has been allocated.
IAD Action Fund Small Grants
These are up to a maximum of £500.
Small grants - more information
IAD Action Fund Regular Grants
These are up to a maximum of £3000 – the application deadline is for 19/20 is 5pm on Monday 7th October.
Regular grants - more information
Other IAD funding opportunities
University of Edinburgh staff and students can apply to more than one IAD-supported scheme at a time.
You may also be interested in the Festival of Creative Learning Pop-up Event programme, or the Principal’s Teaching Award Scheme, particularly if there is scope to enhance learning and teaching (undergraduate or postgraduate) in your area.