The University Research Office (URO) have launched a scheme to support University of Lincoln staff who want to write a bid for an external research grant. BEGINS (Bidding for External income, Graduate INternship Scheme) provides funding to employ a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to assist on a specific project activity which will lead, directly or indirectly, to a bid for research funding.

The scheme also allows the graduate to acquire experience in research skills, and to become further integrated into the University’s research environment. It may involve the GRA in preparing the literature review for a grant proposal, or undertaking preliminary pilot or experimental work which will lead to a bid.

The GRA may be a recent graduate or a more experienced research postgraduate. The main criterion is that they must still be a registered student at the University of Lincoln when applying for the internship.

BEGINS allows staff to bid for funding for a salary-based bursary for the GRA, the value of which is dependent on the commitment involved, but will be in the region of £2,200 to £2,500 for approximately five weeks of work. The GRA will be expected to start work in June 2009 and should expect to finish by the end of July 2009.

Full details of the scheme and how to apply have been distributed via email to all faculties. The deadline for applications to BEGINS is April 20th. Applicants with questions can contact URO in the usual way, or just leave a comment below.