TORCH New Network Scheme
TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities) supports research activity that transcends disciplinary and institutional boundaries. The TORCH Network Scheme is designed to enable researchers from different disciplines to collaborate in creating multi- or interdisciplinary research networks around a topic or theme of their choice. TORCH facilitates the successful networks through administrative support, venues and room bookings, a web presence and publicity including social media.
TORCH does not seek to set agendas in terms of the choice of research theme or prospective range of activities, nor does it set an initial threshold for the size of a new network. Indeed, we welcome innovative applications that will enable small groups of scholars to create new networks which fill a gap that is not currently covered elsewhere and introduce research agendas that will develop during the course of the funding. We favour networks that plan a range of ongoing activity over the two years of funding and not a single large event. Priority will be given to cross-disciplinary projects that have clear research outcomes, consider impact and aim to cultivate a lasting research legacy in the form of generating self-sustaining networks, publications, knowledge exchange programmes, and/or grant applications.
Deadline
There are three deadlines per year (one each term), usually in week 2. The Trinity Term deadline is 12 Noon, Wednesday 7 May 2025.
Please note that all applications require Divisional approval before they can be submitted. Please make sure you allow enough time for the approval process. This is typically a minimum of at least 3 working days.
We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their ideas with us while preparing their application. Please contact Sarah Clay, TORCH Operations Manager at least one week before the deadline and preferably earlier, if you would like to receive feedback on your application.
Eligibility
- Applications must be multi- / inter-disciplinary and should focus on a Humanities related theme.
- Lead applicants should aim to be a mixture of post-holders and early-career researchers (postdoctoral).
- Doctoral students may be part of networks, but cannot be lead applicants.
- Lead applicants should be from at least 3 faculties/departments (and must include Humanities). The PI should be from a Humanities faculty/department, and we prefer to have at least one of the other co-applicants also based in Humanities. TORCH will not sponsor research groups whose activities are supported by only a single faculty or college.
- Lead applicants should normally be current salaried employees of the university holding an academic post, or research fellowship awarded competitively and intended to enable the holder to establish an independent research career. They should have contracts in place with Oxford University to cover the full funding period applied for (by we encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances if you are an early career research on a fixed term contract).
- Applications from research groups that cross divisions and groups engaged with non-academic partners are also welcomed.
Amount available
Up to £7,500 over 2 academic years
The funding for this TORCH scheme is through the John Fell Research Fund Small Award Scheme. The John Fell OUP Research Fund is an internal funding scheme that fosters creativity and a proactive approach to research opportunities in all subject areas, and particularly interdisciplinary fields.
Areas of Activity Funded
Network funding can be used for purposes relating to the network only.
This includes:
- Visiting speaker travel/accommodation (but not speaker fees),
- Room hire where needed,
- Refreshments for events (see note below),
- Printing for posters or publicity,
- Casual payroll for conference support (we have strict rules on this so please ensure this is clear in your application budget with the reason why it is needed).
We would advise applicants to consider how funding might best be spent to maximise engagement. To that end, network funding can also be used to cover costs associated with filming and digital event delivery (but not for online platform licenses - TORCH can provide access to an online platform and support with technical delivery as part of its in-kind offering).
A note on conferences:
- Conferences, workshops or symposia for which the Fell Fund is requested to provide support should normally charge a registration fee to non-university members that is sufficient to cover venue, publicity and support costs. The budget should clearly show which expenditure items you are asking support for. Fees are not applicable to closed workshops with a small number of participants which meet the funding criteria.
- Any conference catering (excluding conference dinners and receptions) eg sandwich lunch/tea and coffee during breaks, needs to be fully justified and should not exceed £12 per person. The normal expectation is that these costs would be covered by a registration fee.
What we will not fund
Please note that funding cannot be used for:
- Network members going to other conferences (conference fees, travel etc.) nor personal research expenses.
- Membership of societies or individual conference attendance fees.
- The costs of an evening dinner or reception as part of a conference are not usually permitted. The John Fell Fund will not fund receptions or similar costs.
- Conferences or other similar events held outside of Oxford, unless justified as part of the Network core aims.
- Zoom licences or other online platforms – TORCH has a zoom licence, which can be used depending on availability.
- External websites – as a web page is given through the TORCH website.
- Speaker fees or honoraria.
- Salaries or teaching buy-out costs for applicants or other academic posts.
For further guidance on costs when planning your budget, please refer to the Humanities Division John Fell Fund Guidance or contact Sarah Clay, TORCH Operations Manager.
How to apply
Application is via the John Fell Fund applications on the internal IRAMS system (single sign on required). Please click here to apply via IRAMS.
It is essential that you include TORCH NETWORK in the title of the project, so that your application can be assessed correctly. Within your IRAMS application please select 'Humanities Divisional Office' as your Approving Unit and select 'Networks, collaborations and partnerships' for project category.
When you have submitted your application, please also email torch@humanities.ox.ac.uk to alert us and confirm the name of your project. You are at risk of not being considered for funding if you do not do this.
Applications will be initially assessed by TORCH's management committee. Recommended proposals will go on to be reviewed by the Humanities John Fell Fund committee (small awards) and central University John Fell Fund committee. We will aim to respond to all applications within 6-8 weeks.
Further guidance
Please refer to the Humanities Division John Fell Fund Guidance and the University John Fell Fund Guidelines.
Contact name for queries
Colleagues are welcome to contact Sarah Clay, TORCH Operations Manager to discuss prospective applications.
