Knowledge

RTPI Small Project Impact Research (SPIRe) Scheme

About the scheme

As part of its work to promote research into planning, the RTPI has decided to establish a new fund to support small-scale research projects. The Small Project Impact Research (SPIRe) Scheme is particularly intended to encourage high quality research projects that have the potential to impact on policy and practice, and to encourage closer collaboration between the RTPI and Planning Schools.

Given the relatively small sums available, the fund is particularly designed to support targeted pieces of research and analysis – for example, reviews of the ‘state of the art’ in research suitable for policy and practitioner audiences, extensions to current or completed projects, or seed funding to support outputs that could form part of future larger projects.

On successful completion of projects the RTPI will undertake to publish a project report in a suitable form.

Further information

Projects will be funded up to a typical maximum of £5,000 each.

The fund is aimed at academic staff employed by an RTPI accredited planning school. Collaborations with other bodies are welcome but the lead applicant should usually be from an accredited planning school. The RTPI welcomes applications that include early career researchers.

We would particularly welcome applications to the scheme in the following priority research areas:

Standing up for planning
Securing future proofing on environmental change and population growth in local and national decision-making
Promoting a greater consciousness of spatial considerations in decision making by national governments and municipalities
Health and urbanisation
Communicating the value of planning for economic growth
Promoting integrated subsidiarity in decision making.

We would be happy to consider applications that involve match-funding or otherwise co-funding projects, and for research teams to consider how leveraging in additional funding could extend the scope of the proposed projects.

Initial applications for funding should be submitted by 5pm on 1 March 2013.