Middle East Research Centre
Research Grant Form
Apply for a MERC Research Grant
As part of its establishment, the Middle East Research Centre supports research initiatives, especially
those likely to contribute to impact publications. The Centre’s Research Grants will provide funds to cover
one-off expenses such as:
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Funds to collect, code and analyse data
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Funds to conduct field experiment costs
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Travel money to conduct a series of pilot interviews in preparation for a case study and/or a project.
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Travel money to disseminate the output of the research conducted under the auspices of MERC in
academic conferences, research workshops etc.
Who is eligible to apply?
All research staff on Cambridge Judge Business School's payroll. People associated with the University will
also be considered on a case by case basis. PhD students from the University may apply, so long as their
supervisor approves and they partner with a member of faculty (this can be arranged by MERC on behalf of
the student).
How much is available?
Funding levels are being increased from the original £5,000, and are negotiable on a case by case basis.
Please ensure that you put a detailed breakdown in your proposal so the board can review where the
money is being spent. If your case is approved the MERC Administrator will inform you of this. Please
note no money can be spent on the case without approval from the board and ethical clearance.
Please note any fees agreed with PhDs, RA or EA need to be sent to the MERC Administrator before being
finalised. All fees will be paid via the University Payroll system. Hourly rates should be based on University
recommendations. See
http://www.intranet.jbs.cam.ac.uk/academics/Pages/Teaching/teachingandsupervisionworkbyphds.aspx
How and when do I apply?
Send a completed application form to the MERC Administrator, Rhiannon Smith – [email protected]
at any time. Grants will be awarded by the Management Board of the centre at their meeting every two to
three months.
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Anticipated outputs and deliverables must be clearly specified in the request for funds, along with an
estimated timeline.
What do I do once my proposal is approved?
Your application will be reviewed by the MERC panel and also Katie Jones, Research Manager at CJBS. If
an approved project involves human participants (e.g. interviews, surveys) you must complete the ethics
self-assessment form, at
www.intranet.jbs.cam.ac.uk/academics/Pages/research/ethicsdataandfreedomofinformation.aspx, which
will generate a clearance code. Please note the project will require an ethics clearance code from Katie
Jones before funds are reimbursed.
If your application is approved, the synopsis from your Research Grant will be published on the MERC
website under ‘Ongoing Research’ (http://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/middle-eastresearch/research/). This synopsis will be taken from your proposal document.
All research outputs must be submitted to MERC for review. Once the project is completed, the synopsis
and status will be updated on the MERC website and the final draft formatted in the MERC template.
The board will want case studies to be taught twice in a classroom environment so that it can be considered
eligible for The Case Centre. We will require the following:
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Session summary
Abstract and full case text (on MERC template)
Release form
Authorisation form
The forms can be found here:
www.intranet.jbs.cam.ac.uk/academics/Pages/publication/publishacasestudy.aspx
Do I need to submit a report?
Expenditure should be incurred within 4 months of the date of award.
If your proposal is accepted, the MERC Administrator will provide more details on expense policies and
procedures.
A short account of research outputs or results should be sent to the MERC Administrator, but also filed
with the Research Manager at the end of the project (the latter will ensure a complete picture from the
Research Office of all ongoing research activities).
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Application for a Research Grant
Please note any fees agreed with PhDs, RA or EA needs to be sent to the MERC Administrator before being finalised. All
fees will be paid via the University payroll system.
Name
Total amount requested
£
Detailed breakdown of expected costs
Deliverables expected from the award (including research journals if applicable)
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Proposal (300 words max)
What is your research question?
Why is it relevant for MERC? What is specific about the Middle East economies?
Why is it important and not yet answered?
What is your methodology?
What are the expected results?
Key Milestones (with approximate dates)
Synopsis (50-100) words, to be published on MERC website if approved
Name (print):
Signature of applicant:
Date:
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