Gravitational Waves consolidated grants: 2024

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

If you are considering applying, you are encouraged to contact STFC [email: particle.astro@stfc.ukri.org] at the earliest opportunity. This will allow STFC staff to gauge potential demand, and ensure that any updates or communications are disseminated rapidly to potential applicants.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service. For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual.

Who is eligible to apply

Researchers employed by UK institutions eligible for UKRI funding are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. Standard UKRI/STFC eligibility criteria applies.

Please note that each university institution (or equivalent sub-unit with the university) may submit one consolidated grant proposal to this funding opportunity.

New applicant scheme

Newly appointed academic members of staff (lecturers or lecturer equivalent fellows) who have joined a department between grant reviews may exceptionally apply separately for support. This will potentially allow them to begin to establish a research programme on appointment. If grant funding is agreed, funding is likely to be awarded as an addition to the department’s existing consortium or consolidated grant.

For more details see STFC new applicant funding.

Project studentships

It is possible to apply for project PhD studentships as part of grant proposals. For guidance please see the STFC guidance for applicants. A strong case needs to be made explaining how essential the student is to the research on which they will be working. The panel will assess the scientific quality of the project, consider whether the project offers suitable training in research methods and techniques, comment on the broader training and consider if the studentship adds value overall to the research proposal. All potential costs should be included in the proposal.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks
• support for people with caring responsibilities
• flexible working
• alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI.

Gravitational Waves remit

All activities funded within this opportunity must meet STFC’s revised remit for Gravitational Waves research (PDF, 131KB).

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO):

Both LIGO and non-LIGO members can request support for activities through this funding opportunity, but applicants need to demonstrate how the work fits into the LIGO Scientific Collaboration programme and provides benefit to the LIGO programme. This will be scrutinised by the panel.

Apply for funding to support gravitational waves research.

To be eligible for this funding opportunity you must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for STFC funding. In addition proposals must meet STFC’s particle astrophysics gravitational waves remit.

STFC will fund 80% of the full economic cost (FEC). Please note that some capital costs may be funded at a variable rate between 50% and 100%.

Projects will be funded for three years.