My winning proposal: Building up to an AHRC standard grant

The AHRC’s major responsive mode scheme is best approached slowly but surely

Top tips

• Accept that although you may have a good research idea, it may not be right for a standard grant bid. Wait until one fits with all the requirements, not just academic excellence.
• Don’t be afraid to ask the council directly if there might be leeway on some of the eligibility requirements.
• Even though standard grants only allow one principal investigator writing a bid with a colleague will make the grant-writing process easier and provide extra input.
• Consider a pilot project before jumping in with a standard grant bid; this will help with feasibility.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council’s standard grants are open year-round for bids of between £50,000 and £1 million. Projects can last for up to five years.