Published on Tue, 21/04/2015 - 12:23
The Isaac Newton Trust has recently written to all the Heads of Departments in the Biological, Clinical, Physical Sciences and Technology Schools advising them of a change to the application process. The key change is that for all final applications (i.e. not initial draft applications) the Head of Department will need to complete a questionnaire instead of writing a letter of support to the accompany their application.
Furthermore, the Trust has updated its guidelines about what makes a strong application, focusing on support for post-doctoral researchers and strategic bids for equipment which would be used by more than one lab or Department. Given these priorities, it is unlikely that applications from senior investigators with a programme grant or Departments with substantial funds would be successful in receiving an award from the Trust.
A copy of the letter and questionnaire can be found at the Research Office website http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/research/funding/sponsors/isaacnewton.aspx