The Global School of Sustainability (GSoS) PhD Small Project Grants Scheme supports doctoral researchers to undertake primary research and engagement activities. Its aim is to embed real‑world engagement and impact early in doctoral study, while strengthening the School’s research culture and interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Scheme priorities

The scheme aims to:

• Support high‑quality primary research that aligns clearly with one or more of the GSoS’s five research themes.

• Support early engagement and impact activity within doctoral research, including work with policy, practitioner and community partners and the co‑production of knowledge.

• Encourage interdisciplinary and cross-theme collaboration.

• Enable pilot or exploratory projects that can underpin future external funding bids.

Scope

Awards will support clearly defined, discrete projects with specific objectives, a realistic timetable, and identifiable outputs (e.g. article draft, dataset, policy brief, exhibition, prototype tool). Indicative types of activity include, but are not limited to:

• Fieldwork (domestic or international), site visits and case-study research.

• Data collection and analysis, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, experiments and digital methods.

• Research assistance, specialist datasets, software licences, and other project-specific technical tools.

• Advanced methodological or technical training essential to delivering the project (e.g. quantitative, qualitative, digital, GIS, coding, language training).

• Co-produced or collaborative activities with policy, industry, civil society or community partners based on the student’s PhD research.

• Stakeholder engagement activities, including workshops, roundtables, briefings or other events that share findings or explore implications for practice.

• Development of translational outputs, such as policy briefs, toolkits, digital resources, podcasts, exhibitions or short films.

Applicants are also encouraged to explore other funding opportunities and engagement and impact scheme available to PhD students.

Funding available 

The scheme offers small awards of up to £5,000 for projects up to a 12‑month period, and the project period must fall within the applicant’s PhD enrolment period.

Timetable 

The scheme will operate as a rolling, responsive call during the 2026 pilot, with decisions normally issued within 15 working days.

Eligibility to apply 

• Be registered PhD students at LSE.

• Have successfully passed upgrade at the point of award.

• Have at least 12 months remaining before the expected submission date when the award begins.

• Not on suspension or temporary withdrawal.

• Confirm that they have the full support of their primary supervisor as part of their application. 

Applicants with clear financial need may be prioritised. Only one GSoS PhD Small Project Grant can be held at once.

Academic units

Applicants must confirm that they have the full support of their host academic unit as part of their application. An award letter co-signed by the hosting unit lead will be required at award stage.

Current project holders

Previous awardees of internal funding must confirm the submission of the final report of closed projects.

Application process

All applications are submitted through the application form.

You can find the guidance for the application form here. (LINK)

General queries, feedback and comments on this scheme can be sent to ri.internalschemes@lse.ac.uk

Costing your application

Staff must submit costs using the budget template. You may find the guidance on frequent non-staff expenses helpful.

The following costs are eligible for this scheme:

Specialist costs to make project activities more accessible are also eligible, such as:

• Cost of child, parent or other caring responsibilities may be considered if the carer is conducting research away from home and it is not possible to make alternative arrangements.

• Costs to make adjustments within travel and accommodation bookings for staff who need them.

• Cost to make sure outputs are accessible (both for researchers and stakeholders, such as braille printed books or pamphlets). 

• Costs of specialist contractors that are working on EDI supporting activities, such as audio transcription for events, etc. 

• Costs to make events more accessible including specialist venues and supporting staff.

Review and selection

All submitted applications will be reviewed for eligibility before being evaluated and selected by the GSoS Education Leads.

Assessment criteria

The information below will be used to assess the proposal against these criteria - i.e., proposals will be funded based on (a) originality, (b) significance, (c) implementation, and (d) potential 

Managing your award

Award holders must comply with the following rules:

• Confirm that they have the full support of their supervisor and host academic unit. An award letter co-signed by the hosting unit will be required.

• Manage the project funds in line with LSE financial regulations.

• Contact the R&I Funds Manager to request virements and extensions to awards.

• Comply with LSE polices for research governance, ethics, data management, intellectual policy and other policies relevant to their research.

• Ensure that processes and projects are compliant with good research practices, ensuring transparency and accountability. 

Project changes in duration, team, costs and objectives will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and always subject to further review by the R&I Funds Manager.

Project closure and reporting

Award holders will:

• Submit a final report within three months of project end, covering e.g. activities and outputs, deviations from plan and rationale, reflections on impact and lessons learned, as well as next steps (e.g. publications, external funding bids).

• Be willing to be contacted to contribute to a short case study, blog post, or social media story for GSoS communications.

Full details of the reporting requirements will be provided at the point of award.