Promoting research and education for sustainability: small grant programme

A total of £65,000 will be granted to small research, education and engagement projects each year. The grants vary from £1,000 to £20,000.

Please read carefully the information below before submitting a request.  

Eligibility 

Current staff and students can apply for funding with this form (Oxford SSO is required to complete the form).  

Funding must be received by a department, college or recognised student society at the University of Oxford. Individuals are not eligible to receive the funding. 

Grants between £10,000 and £20,000 will be awarded for small research projects directly related to the goals, enablers, priorities and commitments of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy. A maximum of £60,000 will be awarded per year for research projects.  

Grants between £1,000 and £2,000 will be awarded for education and research engagement projects directly related to the goals, enablers, priorities and commitments of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy. A maximum of £5,000 will be awarded per year for education/engagement projects. 

Application process 

• Please fill out an application form 
• Applicants must identify which goals, enablers and priorities of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy this project addresses and which UN SDGs relate to this project.  
• Application includes detailed budget and justification. 

Deadlines

• There are two deadlines each year, depending on available funding: 
• 5pm on Friday of week 1 in Michaelmas term, 17 October 2025 
• 5pm on Friday of week 1 of Hilary term, 23 January 2026 

Review process 

• Grant applications are initially reviewed by the Sustainability Education and Research Manager in the Environmental Sustainability team for eligibility, with a funding recommendation made to the Research or Curriculum Subgroup of the Environmental Sustainability Subcommittee (ESSC). 
• The appropriate subgroup of ESSC will approve or reject the application based on the criteria below: 
• The project was clearly described and can feasibly be delivered with the requested resources in the timeline. 
• The project relates to specific goals, enablers, priorities and commitments of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy. 
• The proposed project will enable and support additional work to advance the Environmental Sustainability Strategy beyond this department/college/society. 
• Decisions will be made by the end of week 4 of the term of application.

Reporting 

Successful grantees will be required to complete an evaluation/report on their project by week 0 of the following Michaelmas term. 

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