Research and Development Enabling Fund

The Members of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) established the Research and Development (R&D) Enabling Fund to encourage all civil engineers to make greater use of research and development in the advancement of their work. The Fund is administered by a Board of Trustees which welcomes applications from all branches of the profession including younger members and those not traditionally involved in R&D.

The purpose of the Enabling Fund is primarily to enable early-stage research projects to get underway, to assess viability of the concepts and to assist with securing more substantial support elsewhere.

Funding is limited to a maximum of £25,000 in the first instance unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, with additional funding available up to a total of £50,000 if appropriate (eg where findings from initial work demonstrate a clear need).

Applications are invited from individuals and organisations, and members and non-members of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK, provided the proposed work will be beneficial to the Institution.

Preference is given to applicants from small firms.

Applications may be submitted at any time throughout the year. There are no deadlines.

Visiting Research Fellowship applicants may find it helpful to contact the secretary of the Board of Trustees to discuss their proposed research work before submitting an application.

Applicants should complete an application form which can be obtained either electronically or in hard copy from the contact.