Co-Create and Propose a Research Project for Cohort 2027
Call for community-engaged research project proposals
Collaboratory is looking for research project proposals from collaborative teams research academics and community focused organisations which seek to address local community challenges.
The 2027 project cohort will be Collaboratory’s final round of funded research projects. For our final intake, we will fund:
Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Chapter: 10 PhD projects and 5 Research Placements
Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Chapter: 9 PhD projects and 4 Research Placements
Proposals Deadline: 11:59pm Monday 07 September 2026
Funded Project Formats
Through our collaborative approach to research, we aim to support community-engaged research – research which is grounded in the needs of local communities and which is more readily able to make a direct, relevant and meaningful impact for communities across local communities
PhD Projects
- 3-years, full-time.
- UKRI minimum stipend and UK Home Student tuition fees covered.
- Conference and fieldwork budget of £500 per year.
- Full access to partner universities for candidates and Community Supervisors.
- Unique and comprehensive support through our Championing Engaged Research training programme, aimed at developing researchers who can be leaders in community-engaged research.
Research Placements
- 12-weeks, part-time based on 14hrs per week.
- Focus on scoping and candidate development.
- Includes candidate bursary of £2,078 and fieldwork and resource budget of £200.
- Candidate access to bespoke training and resources from all partner institutions.
- Unique opportunity to establish new partnerships and explore the potential of new engaged research project ideas.
NOTE: Offline copies of the proposal forms are provided to support your planning and preparation. All proposals must be submitted by the online submission forms linked at the top of this page.
Community Priorities for Research
All proposals will need to address one or more research priorities, as set by workshops attended by our local communities. Full details of 2026-27 Community Priorities for Research can be found below.
KEY DATES
- Application deadline: 11:59pm Monday 07 September 2026
- Successful PhD projects open to applicants: 05 Oct – 28 Nov 2026
- PhD Applicant interviews: 04 Jan – 05 Feb 2027
- Start date for successful PhD candidates: Thursday 01 April 2027
- Successful Research Placement projects open to applicants: 04 Jan – 12 Feb 2027
- Research Placement Applicant interviews: 15-24 March 2027
- Start date for successful Research Placement candidates: Monday 19 April 2027
Who are we looking for?
Collaboratory is looking to support collaborative proposals from teams of local academics, with partners from civic and community-focused organisations in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire and Rutland.
Each project team must include 1 Lead Academic Supervisor, at least 1 Academic Co-Supervisor, and at least 1 Community Supervisor. As a minimum, each project supervisory team must include an Academic Lead and Co-Supervisor from any 2 different Collaboratory partner universities.
Researchers
Active researchers from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham who wish to develop and supervise a collaborative, community engaged PhD or Research Placement Project.
Community Professionals
People from organisations based in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire working with one or more local communities, who want to contribute their insight and expertise to the development of evidence-based change for our communities.
If you are a prospective community partner and would like to have an informal discussion to find out more about how to get involved, please contact info@collaboratoryresearchhub.ac.uk
Learn more – Webinars and Workshops
We strongly recommend that anyone interested in developing a proposal to submit a proposal attends one of our Information webinars. We also offer a Co-Creating Research webinar to support researchers and community professionals to work together to turn their ideas into research projects.
Information Webinars
All academics and communtiy professionals intrested in being a named partner on a proposal should attend a webinar. Learn more about the aims of our programme, what is involved in being part of a Collaboratory project supervisory team, and what we’re looking for from project submissions.
Click to see times and registration link
Information Webinars
Click your prefered date below to register and receive a calendar invitation.
Research Co-Creation Workshop
For academics and community professionals. Get advice and support on how to co-create a strong research proposal. Network and meet potential collaborators.
Click to see times and registration link
Co-Creating Community Research
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CHAPTER, Weds 24 June 2026, 1pm-4pm, venue TBC.
LEICESTERSHIRE CHAPTER, Fri 26 June 2026, 1pm-4pm, DMU Innovation Centre Cafe, Leicester
Looking for someone to collaborate with?
Whether you’re a research academic or a community professional, if you’re interested in developing a project proposal for Collaboratory but are in need of an additional collaborative partner to work with, post your details on our Project Development Padlet Board.
Make sure to check back regularly for new posts and be proactive in reaching out to potential collaborators from the board.