Overview and deadlines
Overview of the research grant application process at Oxford
Submission process
Due to the current situation and the increased pressure on all teams, Research Services has temporarily revised its grant application process. Please speak to your Research Services grants team contacts who will be able to advise further.
Before submission to the funder all grant applications for research (with a few exceptions, noted below) must be approved on behalf of the University by Research Services.
Potential principal investigators should liaise with their departmental administration team to facilitate submission to Research Services.
Grant applications must be received by Research Services at least five working days before the funder's deadline (in most cases). This is University policy.
Grant applications must include an X5 costing.
Responsibilities and deadlines
- PI sends completed application to department
- Department approves and passes to Research Services – including an X5 costing
- Research Services reviews the application (if applicable) and liaises with PI/department as needed
- Research Services gives institutional approval
- Application submitted to funder – either by PI/department or by Research Services
Funder, price and call type |
Research Services deadline |
---|---|
Price under £20k with no staff costs |
N/A |
US government |
10 working days before funder deadline |
European Commission:
|
10 working days before funder deadline |
Sign-off by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) required |
As early as possible |
Co-ordinated University bids |
Refer to internal deadlines for each scheme |
All other funders, schemes and call types |
5 working days before funder deadline |
Review process
On receiving a grant application, Research Services will, depending on certain conditions (see below), review the application, liaise with the PI and their department about any amendments, and authorise and submit the application.
Research grant applications under £20k with no associated staff costs can be submitted direct to the funder.
Please note that:
- If a department submits the application to the funder directly they must send Research Services an X5 costing.
- If the application needs to be submitted by Research Services via an institutional account this will be done without review (unless requested to by the department). An X5 costing must be submitted with the application.
Standard funders
Research Councils, British Academy, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Society, Wellcome Trust
Research Services will not review the application (unless requested by the department). Departments should:
- complete a checklist:
Departmental checklist (standard funders) - send the completed application to Research Services at least 5 working days before the deadline
All other funders
Research Services will review the application, assess the funder's terms and conditions, approve the application on behalf of the University, and facilitate submission.
All grant applications with a price over £100k will be reviewed by Research Services. Research Services will assess the funder's terms and conditions, approve on behalf of the University and facilitate submission to the funder.

Standard funders
Research Councils, British Academy, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Society, Wellcome Trust
Research Services will not review the application (unless requested by the department). Departments should:
- complete a checklist:
Departmental checklist (standard funders)
- send the completed application to Research Services at least 5 working days before the deadline
All other funders
Research Services will review the application, assess the funder's terms and conditions, approve the application on behalf of the University, and facilitate submission.
All fellowship applications with a price over £1m will be reviewed by Research Services. Research Services will assess the funder's terms and conditions, approve on behalf of the University and facilitate submission to the funder.
