Opportunities for Royal Holloway researchers

The SSIA offers three core funding streams – Flexible Funding, Residencies and Public Engagement Bursaries. We also offer Impact Booster Funding, PhD Studentships and a small number of other funding opportunities. Scroll down to find out more.

The three core funding streams outlined above, share the same broad eligibility criteria: all projects must be at least 51% social science led, meaning they should be led by an academic based within a social science department. Some funding streams have additional specific requirements, detailed below. Further guidance can be found in the downloadable application questions.  

There are four application windows throughout the year: January, March, June and September. Funding calls for 2026, are listed below:

As the SSIA programme is grant funded, the final application window for all funding streams is September 2027.  

Prior to submitting a funding application, please ensure you have read the guidance about permitted/non-permitted costs, and the University's position on the ownership and licensing of outputs from SSIA projects, as well as sought approval to apply from your Head of Department/Line Manager. 

This funding stream supports projects that are innovative and willing to test new impact and/or knowledge exchange methodologies. Royal Holloway academic staff on Teaching and Research contracts are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £15,000. Projects must be achievable within 6 months. 

Residencies

Residencies are designed to enhance co-production and long-term knowledge exchange. Royal Holloway academic staff on all contract types are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £4,000. Residencies can be outwards (Royal Holloway staff in residence at a host organisation) or inwards (practitioners in residence at Royal Holloway). Residencies can last between 12 - 30 days, on a part or full-time basis. The time spent on residency can be taken continuously at one time or spread in blocks over a longer period. 

Public Engagement Bursaries

This bursary supports academics looking to lead a project with communication and/or public engagement focus. Activities could include but are not limited to:

• Blog, website, social media channel or podcast 
• Animation or infographic
• Training session or workshop for external stakeholders

Royal Holloway academic staff on all contract types are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £5,000. Projects must be achievable within 3-6 months.   

Impact Booster Funding 

Impact Booster Funding supports academics to amplify, extend, or further evidence the impact of an SSIA project. Booster funding is capped at £5,000 to be spent over a period of 3-6 months and is subject to approval. To be eligible to apply for this funding you must have previously been awarded funding by the SSIA and submitted your end of project report. There is no specific application window as this opportunity has a rolling deadline.