ARMA Research Development SIG Panel Discussion: A Funder’s Perspective by ARMA UK

For the former-funder-now-university-staff... what has surprised you most about working for a university?

2025-03-14 14:36:11 UTC

Careers question... how does one go about getting a job at a funder of research? What sort of career paths did your (former) colleagues have?

2025-03-14 14:37:01 UTC

2025-03-14 14:37:48 UTC

Is there one thing that you wish that research development staff would do differently in supporting applications?

2025-03-14 14:39:41 UTC

What do you think about (partial) randomisation in allocating research funding?

Panel Discussion - Easter Closure

2025-04-02 13:34:45 UTC

Unfortunately the University of Surrey will be closed for the Easter period between 17-23 April and so we are unable to attend this.

Pain points

2025-04-02 21:00:54 UTC

Our pain points as RDMs are grant rejections after putting in many hours of work. What are yours working for a funder?

hiteshpatel2 — 2025-04-03 07:23:40 UTC

Success rates across most funders has been declining. With potential pressures on UK Govt funding these will drop further. Are funders looking at novel solutions to address this issue?

hiteshpatel2 — 2025-04-03 07:28:56 UTC

Academic do sometimes express concerns that their proposal has not been fairly peer reviewed and also that they have seen their ideas being stolen. Is there any evidence to support these concerns?

2025-04-03 08:17:51 UTC

What's your day-to-day work life like - a typical 'day in the life' for you? It'd also be great to understand the best bits and the most challenging bits of your role(s), working for a funder.

2025-04-03 08:21:03 UTC

As we tend to be the go-between/facilitators between you (funder) and academics, could you tell us a) what drives you crazy and b) how we might help?

Use of AI

2025-04-03 09:16:36 UTC

What's your organisation's opinion on using AI? Can applicants use it? Are funders interested in using it for some of their processes?

Pain points

2025-04-03 09:59:02 UTC

Demand management versus Research Culture practices?

Costs

2025-04-07 08:25:59 UTC

Research costs are increasing every year (particularly staff costs), while the budget for some schemes remains the same. Are you expecting the same for less funding or is there a recognition that projects will be smaller and less ambitious with the limited resources available?

Outline stages?

2025-04-23 12:43:44 UTC

Do you think there might be more use of Outline/EOIs as volume of applications increases or do Funders actually see this as more work from your end?

Exposure to processes for non-researchers?

2025-04-23 13:21:10 UTC

It often feels a shame that invitations to participate on observing panels etc is "only" for prospective applicant researchers. Although that makes total sense to prioritise! Do you have any plans to allow observational exposure to research enabling professionals too?