Researcher-Led Events Funding

This scheme funds postgraduate research students across the University to set up and run events such as conferences and symposia. The aim is to facilitate research activities within the Schools and the development of research culture while providing an opportunity for students to develop invaluable skills through organising these events.

You can apply for up to £500 per event. Given the budgetary limits, we recommend applicants seek other sources of funding in addition where needed.

Please note that, if successful, you will need to spend the funds by the end of the academic year (July 31).

Bids should be submitted by the lead student coordinating the event.

If you have any questions about the funding after reading the information on these pages, please get in touch with Dr Sonja Tomašković at st560@cam.ac.uk.

Apply for the 2025-26 round

Apply for Researcher-Led Events Funding (2025-26)

The deadline for applications is Monday 27 October.

We will aim to notify you of the outcome the week commencing 1 December 2025.

Application guidelines

A copy of the application questions can be viewed in advance.

Budgeting section

  • There is no requirement for a budgetary breakdown; a simple delineation of headline costs is sufficient
  • Expenses, including venue hire, catering or temporary platform licences for online events, are eligible
  • We can cover up to a maximum of £100 for venue hire
  • We can cover up to a maximum of £100 for catering
  • Speaker fees or honoraria are eligible
  • Local travel and accommodation expenses (for keynote speakers only) are eligible; we cannot fund international travel or travel by plane
  • Give details of additional funding sources secured or to be applied for (especially where proposals require more than the maximum available from this scheme)
  • Funding must be spent by the end of the academic year (July 31) in which it is awarded
  • Details on how to claim your award will be provided in the acceptance email

Profile section

  • List all the organisers (not just the lead applicant)
  • Interdisciplinary proposals are welcome, but the interdisciplinary aspects must be explained and, typically, the organising group should include representatives of more than one discipline
  • Senior academic conferences will not be considered
  • Being open to the public or publishable is welcomed but not essential

Researcher Development Agenda section

  • Each bid should present an argued case for why the Researcher-Led Events Scheme is the best source of funding for the event
  • It is desirable, though not essential, for applicants to articulate a researcher development theme or activity
  • Examples of themes include but are not limited to:
    • an early-career session with a focus on career progression and development
    • a writing retreat which includes sessions on writing practice
    • a seminar series based on topical themes for early-career researchers
    • a 'meet the expert' session providing an opportunity for early-career researchers to meet with established experts and discuss career paths, how to overcome hurdles along the journey, etc
    • an open access session which discusses open access policy and trends in UK Higher Education and globally

If you are successful in your bid for funding

You can download a copy of the Researcher-Led Events Funding logo here (right-click on the image and select 'Save image as...') to use on promotional materials.

We ask all recipients of funding to complete a short evaluation form after the event providing us with your reflections and highlights from any feedback you may have gathered. This helps us to understand the effectiveness and impact of the funding.