26 November 2024

Designed to foster collaboration between Welsh universities, the fund provides crucial seed funding to help research groups develop bids for external funding and deliver impactful projects that advance innovation in Wales.

Over the past two years, the WIN Small Grant Fund has awarded £267,000 to 39 projects across Welsh universities, enabling researchers to submit applications worth over £20 million to external funders. Small grants have not only catalysed innovative research but also strengthened partnerships within Wales and beyond, driving advancements across key themes like Net Zero, population health, and creative industries.

WIN has allocated £45,000 to support projects in 2025, with a maximum of £5,000 available per bid. Eligible projects must involve at least three Welsh universities and can include partners from outside Wales or external stakeholders, such as businesses, community groups, or public sector organisations.

Funding will focus on projects that align with WIN’s core themes:

  • Digital Transformation
  • Population Health and Biotech
  • Culture, Creative Industries, and Media
  • Materials and Manufacturing
  • Net Zero and Decarbonisation
  • Agri-Tech, Food, and Rural Economy

Dr Lewis Dean, Head of WIN, said:
“The Small Grant Fund exemplifies WIN’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration across Welsh universities. By providing targeted support, we equip research groups to successfully bid for external funding and address critical challenges facing Wales and the wider world.

“I’m delighted with the successes we’ve seen through the WIN Small Grant Fund so far and look forward to the achievements we’ll see through this next round of funding.”

To apply, please download the application form and submit to innovation.network@uniswales.ac.uk by 29 January 2025.