RFP services
Running a funding call
A Request for Proposals is a formal call for researchers to submit projects for funding. It sets out eligibility, objectives, scope, criteria and deadlines — and it determines, more than almost anything else a funder does, which research gets to happen.
We've designed and run calls across a broad range of disciplines. The design choices below are the ones that most affect what you end up funding.
Methods
Our RFP toolkit
These aren't mutually exclusive. Most calls combine several, and the right combination depends on what you're trying to surface.
Open calls
Advertise to a broad audience. The industry standard, and the fastest way to source a large volume of applications.
Staged RFP
Break selection into steps. Reviewers handle high volume without asking every applicant to write a full proposal for a small chance of funding.
Partial lottery
Randomise part of the selection among qualified proposals. Offsets reviewer bias, encourages bold ideas, and reduces administrative burden on both applicants and staff.
Champions
Ask influential scholars to nominate applicants. Useful for a first call in an unfamiliar area, where an open call may not reach the right people.
Double-blind review
Hide applicant identity so proposals are judged on merit rather than reputation. Pairs with compliance checks to confirm applicants have the expertise to deliver.
Preregistration
Require projects to commit to their methods in advance. A more rigorous foundation for the research you fund, and a stronger basis for evaluating it later.
SCOPE
Where we come in
We have in-house expertise in strategy, project management, open science practice and application-management systems. On most calls we're involved across the process — from designing the call through to managing the resulting grants.
Full Breakdown of what we handle
Communication
Call advertising, correspondence templates, society partnerships, programme website
Submission portal
Design, administration, applicant training and webinars; LOIs, proposals, budgets, deliverables, team members, progress reports
Internal review
Eligibility screening, compliance review
External review
Reviewer search, recruitment and contracting; rubrics and training; review portal design and administration; assignment; responses to reviews
Decision
Materials summaries, rubrics, voting and lottery mechanics, final compliance review, award announcements
Grant management
Contract drafting, negotiation and execution; preregistration, licences and approvals; payment scheduling and disbursement; progress report review; deliverables
Community
Convenings, facilitation, and developing research communities
Communication
Call advertising, correspondence templates, society partnerships, programme website
Submission portal
Design, administration, applicant training and webinars; LOIs, proposals, budgets, deliverables, team members, progress reports
Internal review
Eligibility screening, compliance review
External review
Reviewer search, recruitment and contracting; rubrics and training; review portal design and administration; assignment; responses to reviews
Decision
Materials summaries, rubrics, voting and lottery mechanics, final compliance review, award announcements
Grant management
Contract drafting, negotiation and execution; preregistration, licences and approvals; payment scheduling and disbursement; progress report review; deliverables
Community
Convenings and facilitation