The Nahrein Network's Research Grants Scheme

The Application Process

These awards supported interdisciplinary research on themes relating to one or more of the Nahrein Network's six aims, to encourage the sustainable development of history, humanities and heritage in Iraq, including KRI.

Each year we aimed to fund 5–6 projects of up to 2 years duration, led by Iraqi researchers. We particularly encouraged projects led by women, and warmly welcomed applications to build on research previously funded by the Nahrein Network.

Eligibility

Who could apply?

You could apply if you were:

• Either: an Iraqi researcher employed by, or having another formal affiliation with, a university, registered cultural heritage organisation, NGO or community group in Iraq (including KRI)

• Or: a researcher employed by, or having another formal affiliation with, an Iraqi or non-Iraqi university, registered cultural heritage organisation, NGO or community group, provided at least one Iraqi researcher (as defined above) is in the project’s leadership team and at least 70% of the budget is to be spent in Iraq.

Who could NOT apply?

You were not eligible to apply if you:

• were a student

• were a current member of Nahrein Network’s Management Committee

• wanted funding for a project to do with archaeological fieldwork  or conservation of heritage sites, buildings or collections

• wanted funding for a project to work directly with children

• wanted funding for a project to do work that does not involve research (creating new knowledge)

• wanted funding for a project to do research that does not have social, economic or cultural benefit for Iraq/KRI

Application and Selection Process

Phase 1: Expressions of Interest

• In phase 1 we asked you only to tell us about yourself, your proposed project, and why the Nahrein Network should fund your research

• At this stage we did not ask you for a budget, management plan, or risk assessment.

• You could submit only  ONE  Expression of Interest each year, via an online form.

Phase 2: Assessment, interview and shortlisting

• All eligible Expressions of Interest were assessed by international peer review college, composed of expert members outside Iraq

• Applicants could also be invited to a short online interview

• Up to 10 projects were shortlisted.

Phase 3: Development

The Nahrein Network’s core team helpeed shortlisted applicants to develop:

• Full project proposal, timeline (up to 2 years) and management structure

• Budget and justification of proposed expenditure

• Ethics approval, data management plan, and risk review

• Support letters, if needed, from your employer/university/ministry

• Due diligence and contracts

• Brand use and social media strategy

Projects began once all elements werwe in place. Applications that did not make sufficient progress after six months of development were not awarded funding.

Selection Criteria

The Nahrein Network’s peer review college assesses all Expressions of Interest according to the following criteria: 

• the quality, value and urgency of the proposed research; 

• the qualifications and experience of the applicant(s) to manage and conduct this research;

• the likely long-term sustainability and/or impact of the project;

• the degree to which the project meets the aims and addresses the themes of the Nahrein Network.

Support for Funded Projects

Each funded project was assigned a liaison officer from the core Network team or Management Committee, who offered mentoring and support. Each project leader was required to provide a short progress report and financial statement to the Network's Management Committee every 3 months, to ensure that peer support was in place, budgeting was on track, and that project outcomes, network development, and future sustainability were being achieved.

The Shortlisting Process

Following the annual Research Grant Awards deadline, the Nahrein Network Management Committee approved a shortlist of up to ten Expressions of Interest for further development.

• Download the guidelines for Peer Reviewers

The development worked in three phases. Moving to the next phase depended on successful completion of the previous phase. Only projects which successfully completed all three development phases were awarded funding and were able to move to implementation. Applications which did not make good progress during these three stages were funded. These decisions were made by the Management Committee.

Stage 1: People and project plans

We invited the teams to develop a more detailed research plan, encompassing all elements of the project from initiation to publication, explaining who would be responsible for each element and how they would evaluate the success of the project. They received via email the following:

• Feedback on the EoI from the Peer Review College and Management Committee

• Templates for:

  • 2-page CVs for the team

  • Project research plan and list of outputs

  • Month-by-month timeline, up to 24 months (the maximum duration of all projects)

Stage 2: Finance, risk and ethics

Projects which developed a viable work plan were invited to submit further technical documentation. We provideed projects with guidance on:

• Eligible cost categories and payment rates

• How to request any institutional support/approval letters needed

• Templates for:

  • Month-by-month budget

  • Risk review

  • Ethics approval, if the project intends to work with living subjects

  • Participant consent forms, if the project intends to work with living subjects

  • Data management plan, if new data is collected

Teams who submitted Phase 2 documentation receivef feedback in writing and/or in an online meeting, as well as further training on UCL brand use, social media and communications.

Stage 3: Contracting

Alongside the development of project plans, we undertook the following preparatory legal work with the applicants:

• Due diligence checks for the home university/organisation, if based outside the UK and the Nahrein Network haf not funded projects there before, or the current UCL due diligence check haf expired

• Established a payment mechanism for the project. Payments to Iraq were made via StarsOrbit, a respected Jordanian company that handles money transfers for the UN and other international agencies

• Identified the authorised signatory in the home university/organisation for the contract, and shared a draft contract with that person

Once we had completed the technical checks satisfactorily, and agreed a finalised version of the project proposal in the light of the feedback, UCL issued the successful applicant's home organisation with a contract for the project.

Project reporting

As a condition of the award, funded projects reported to the Nahrein Network every three months on:

• Financial expenditure, including completed timesheets and copies of receipts

• Activities and outputs

• Problems and changes of plan

• Any funding received for related activities

We provided online templates for this reporting.

Budgeting overview

Expressions of Interest DO NOT include budgets, but you may find it helpful to know the scheme's general financial rules. You will receive detailed budget guidance if your application is shortlisted.

This budgeting policy for the Nahrein Network's Research Grants Scheme has been developed in consultation with key-stake holders in Iraq to strike the right balance between financial propriety and overwhelming applicants with paperwork. It is reviewed and updated annually, by consultation with other funders and in the light of our own experience with running the scheme.

General rules

• Applications led exclusively by Iraqi teams (PI and Co-Is) may apply for up to £50,000 over two years. Applications with additional international leaders (PI or Co-Is) may also request extra funds to cover their institutional and travel costs

• Eligible costs include: PI and Co-I time, staff salaries, travel and subsistence, small items of equipment, consumables, institutional overheads and international financial transfer fees

• If an Iraqi team member (PI or Co-I) is already in full time employment, they cannot work for more than 8 hours/week for the duration of the project

• Iraqi PIs and Co-Is are paid at standard rates, unless evidence is provided for a different rate.

• There should normally be no more than three Co-Is on the project

• If the PI's home institution requires payment of overheads, or indirect and estates costs, the budget should clearly state what they will be used for

• Subsistence allowances, for periods working away from home, are budgeted at a fixed rate, unless evidence is provided for a different rate

• The total budget for equipment should normally be below £5,000

Accountability and reporting

• All budget proposals must be approved in writing by the PI’s home institution during Phase 2 of shortlisting, and by the appropriate Ministry, during Phase 3, before the draft contract is issued

• Project teams must include a part-time accountant, or similar role, responsible for managing the project’s finances

• Funded projects must report all expenditure, documenting costs with receipts, invoices, and timesheets

• If the home institution has budgeted for overheads, they must submit invoices for them, signed by a senior official in their finance department

• All major changes to the budget of funded projects must be agreed in advance, especially around redistributing funds, changes within the team, etc.