Research Support Program: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how the Research Support Program provides indirect funding to universities to help cover the costs of running research projects.
The Research Support Program provides funding to help cover the indirect costs associated with conducting research at academic institutions.
Who it's for
This program is specifically designed for universities that receive federal research block grants. It is not a scheme intended for individual citizens or private companies, but rather for the higher education institutions that manage large-scale academic research activities.
What you get
The primary benefit of this program is the provision of funds to cover the indirect costs of research funding. In a university setting, these funds help manage the essential overheads and background expenses that allow research to function. This includes the underlying infrastructure and administrative support required to maintain a productive research environment.
What it costs you
There is no direct application process or financial cost for an individual to apply for this program. Because the scheme is managed internally by the university, the administration of the funds is handled by the institution itself rather than through a personal application from a researcher.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that this program is often invisible to individual researchers. Because the money is directed toward the institution to cover broad operational costs, you may not see the funds as a direct line item in your personal research grants. However, these funds are vital because they are used to fund the labs, equipment, and facilities that researchers rely on to conduct their work.
How to apply
- Confirm that your university is a recipient of federal research block grants.
- Contact your university's research office or finance department to understand how these funds are distributed internally.
- Coordinate with your institution's administration to see how the supported infrastructure and lab resources can assist your specific research goals.