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How to apply for funding
- Projects we don't fund
- Application guidelines
- How to write a good proposal
- Contact details, decision dates, reapplying
Projects we don't fund
Please note that we only accept proposals answering our calls for proposals.
We do not generally support the following work:
- projects which fall outside the remit of our programmes/committees;
- development projects which are not innovative;
- development projects from which no general lessons can be drawn;
- general appeals, for example, from national charities;
- requests for core or revenue funding, including grants for buildings or equipment;
- conferences and other events, websites or publications unless they are linked with work which the Foundation is already supporting;
- grants to replace withdrawn or expired statutory funding, or to make up deficits already incurred;
- educational bursaries or sponsorship for individuals for research or further education and training courses; grants or sponsorship for individuals in need;
Application guidelines
These step-by-step instructions on how to apply for funding include all relevant documentation needed to submit a proposal. Any proposal not submitted in accordance with these guidelines may not be accepted.
- Application guidelines (Word, 148KB)
- Budget Form (Excel, 267KB)
- Budget form notes (Word, 248KB)
If you require an alternative format, we will try to supply this.
How to write a good proposal
When looking at each proposal, the relevant Committee will consider:
- the relevance of the topic to the Foundation's priorities;
- whether the work will offer new insights or developments;
- the soundness and appropriateness of how the work will be done (for research projects this covers both the research design, the methods and the analysis);
- whether partnerships with relevant organisations and service users are in place where these are important; the ability of the staff to carry out the work and complete on time;
- the likely policy and practice implications;
- a thorough approach to dissemination.
Equal opportunities
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has its origins in the traditions of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and the philosophy of its founder. The Foundation subscribes to a belief in the inherent value of each human being without distinction as to race, gender, age, disability, sexuality or on other grounds. All proposers should, therefore, consider how equal opportunities may relate to the subject being addressed and to the recruitment for and management of the project.
Common weaknesses of research and development proposals
Some proposals are turned down because the Foundation cannot give the topic sufficient priority even though the proposal is well thought out and presented. But proposals are more often rejected because insufficient information has been provided about key aspects, or because there is a lack of clarity about what is planned, and insufficient detail about methods to be used. For example:
- The proposal describes the background to the project at some length but gives very few details about aims and methods.
- The aims of the project are very vague or are couched in terms of the process, eg, the aim of the project is to carry out a 'descriptive study of X' or a 'survey of Y'.
- The design of the study lacks clarity or robustness so that there is a mismatch between the issues being addressed and the approach adopted, or what is planned is over ambitious.
- Information about data collection is insufficiently detailed. If interviews are going to be carried out, it is important to give information about the number of interviews; how the sample would be selected; and the form in which the data would be collected. (Any proposal which talks in terms of `some people will be interviewed` is unlikely to be funded).
- Details of the way the data will be recorded and analysed are lacking. This is particularly the case where the use of focus groups is proposed.
- Information about the proposer's own knowledge and skills is lacking. In addition to the standard information provided on a CV, it is helpful to have a short summary - two or three sentences - of the experience that members of the team carrying out the work have had using the methods being proposed.
- Timescales and staff resources are unrealistic or inappropriate. This includes too much work being planned for the time available, or too much of the field work and analysis being left to inexperienced research staff.
- It is unclear how the proposed outputs could be derived from the material collected.
General JRF priorities
The perspectives of those being researched
The Foundation has a commitment to exploring ways of ensuring that people central to the research or development project are involved in, the process - eg, service users, young people.
Race and the issues confronting minority ethnic communities
All proposals are expected to incorporate this dimension wherever appropriate. The Foundation also welcomes proposals that focus on issues which are of specific concern to minority ethnic communities.
A UK perspective
The Foundation's remit is UK-wide and it seeks to fund research and development which reflects experience across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Foundation particularly welcomes proposals which incorporate cross-UK comparisons, but will consider the funding of studies of specific national experience where appropriate. It recognises that it is not feasible for all studies to cover the UK in depth but expects all proposals to explain the policy relevance of the project for the four countries, particularly where policy and practice frameworks differ.
Contact details, decision dates, reapplying
How do I contact the research department?
Please email the person most relevant to your area of interest. Or, write to:
Research Department,Joseph Rowntree Foundation,
The Homestead,
40 Water End,
York, YO30 6WP.
When will I know whether my proposal has been accepted?
Following the relevant Committee meeting a letter will be sent advising you if your proposal has been recommended to Trustees for support. You will also be advised if your proposal has not been recommended for support.
When can work begin?
The letter following the committee meeting will give you authority for preliminary work to begin and for the recruitment process to be started. In the unlikely event that Trustees do not approve the project, we would be willing to compensate costs up to £2,000 on preparatory work including advertising for staff.
Projects which are funded have to sign a copy of the Foundation's Project Funding Agreement (Word, 62KB) before work can commence. This sets out the expected completion date, final outputs and the agreed budget. It is designed to clarify beyond doubt the obligations on both sides in order to ensure that worthwhile results emerge from projects and that the resources of the Foundation are spent in the most productive way.
- Download a sample of our project funding agreement (Word, 62KB)
Can I reapply for funding?
Unless you hear otherwise, another submission along the same lines will not be accepted. We regret that we cannot go into detail about why proposals have been rejected. However, each proposal is considered on its own merits and you are welcome to submit a different proposal. If your proposal is accepted, you may also submit proposals for further or new work, provided you or your organisation have the capacity to carry these through within the planned timetable.
How we reach our funding decisions
Please read How the process works in practice (Word, 31KB) for more information.
