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2023 RESEARCH FUND IS NOW CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS

This year the CIPR celebrates its 75th anniversary. At the heart of our celebrations is recognition for the contribution of members to developing the public relations profession and to shaping societies around the world.

Research has been, and will remain, pivotal to our development and success since we were founded in 1948 and we’re keen for the PR Research Fund 2023 to play its part in this special milestone year.

We welcome applications to support all areas of practice, but priority will be given to applications supporting the CIPR’s 75th anniversary themes of the Value of PR to Society and the Future of PR.

New for this year, successful research fund applicants will also have the opportunity to undertake a CIPR training course to help refresh or develop their research skills and knowledge (T&Cs apply).

AIM OF THE RESEARCH FUND

We’re looking to award CIPR Research Fund grants to CIPR members conducting independent PR research at any stage of their careers in practice.  Our aim is to support critical investigation into a wide range of subject matters relevant to the advancement of public relations (PR).  All research projects should focus on advancing PR practice with practical outputs which are replicable and scalable.


HOW TO APPLY

Applications for 2023 are now closed.

Guidance notes, details of the eligibility and selection criteria, and terms of payment can be found in our FAQs.

If you have any questions about the application process or would like to discuss an idea for a research proposal first, please email Claire Bloomer. 

Due to the anticipated large number of applications, we regret that we are unable to give additional information to applicants beyond the feedback provided by the panel.

BACKGROUND

The CIPR Research Fund, initiated in 2021, is a scheme that supports independent PR research. Applications are welcome from individual or pairs of CIPR members at any stage of their research careers.

In 2023, the maximum grant amount per application is £2,000.

View some of the research work that the CIPR has been involved with recently: 

PR Research Fund reports
Stuart Baird FCIPR, Director BakerBaird Communications was a recipient of the PR Research Fund in 2021 and has produced the report, 'Levelling up the public relations profession' with the support of Elizabeth Bridgen MCIPR, Principal Lecturer, Public Relations, Sheffield Hallam University. The report is available to download now .

Martin Turner Found.Chart.PR, MCIPR, also a 2021 Research Fund recipient published his research into 'PR in a pluralistic society' in 2022. 



Download a short guide to his paper - 'Insight: PR in a Pluralistic society '
Download the full research paper - 'Accessing public conversations: PR in a pluralistic society ' 

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION

We welcome applications to support all areas of practice as long as the subject matter and final outputs are relevant to the advancement of public relations.  

Priority will be given to applications supporting the CIPR’s 75th anniversary themes of the Value of PR to Society and the Future of PR.

We actively welcome applications from PR practitioners from those groups which are currently under-represented in the industry.

Payments of grants from the CIPR Research Fund are made directly to individual members and not to organisations or commercial companies.

The fund does not support research conducted by students as part of their PR course.

The fund is not available for research which would normally be funded through the CIPR’s groups, networks or panels. 

The research project must be completed before 30 November 2023. 

Funds are to be used towards costs associated with research and not in lieu of salaries (see ’Payment’ section below).

The following criteria will be used to select grant recipient(s):

  • Clear demonstration of the originality and importance of the research topic.
  • Demonstrate the potential impact on the profession.
  • Evidence that the proposal is generally feasible and well planned, with consideration of how to mitigate risks and address eventual challenges.
  • Research aligns with the CIPR strategy and Royal Charter.
  • Defined, measurable, and suitable outputs for the research proposal, e.g. a webinar, best practice guide, article for publication.
  • Well-thought through and detailed financial expenditure forecast.

An appropriate supervisor should be identified, selected for their broad understanding and expertise in the practice area. The supervisor must provide a brief progress report along with the researcher’s interim project update (see Payment section below). The role of the supervisor is to guide the applicant in carrying out the work to time, cost and quality, thus providing reassurance that the CIPR funds are put to good use.  

Any full member of the CIPR can be your supervisor, in particular our Fellows taking part in the Progress mentoring scheme may be able to support you.  There is more information on finding a supervisor in the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. 


THE PANEL

Applications will be decided by up to three members of the CIPR’s Research Fund Panel which will consist of representatives from CIPR’s governance committees, as well as academia and research, and the CIPR senior leadership team. 

PROCESS

All applications will be individually scored by the members of the Panel. This part of the process will not include any personal details about the applicants.

Proposals will be weighted with 40% to originality and impact, 30% to project planning (feasibility and finance) and 30% to outputs.

The Panel will then convene to create a shortlist of proposals. Applicants from the shortlisted proposals will then be interviewed online by up to four members of the Panel.

A final list of CIPR Research Fund Grants for 2023 will then be agreed. After applicants have been notified the final list will be published on the CIPR’s website.

PAYMENT

Payment of the grant will be made in two instalments: 50% in advance and 50% on completion.

50% of the funding will always be held until receipt of a satisfactory final project report, as deemed by the CIPR, following assessment by a specialist in the field.

The CIPR will require an interim project update to accompany the funding points in order to keep track of the recipient’s work.

In certain circumstances, such as where an applicant is currently unemployed or self-employed, the grant may be used to cover payment for researcher time. This must be detailed in the proposal and at a rate of not more than £20 per hour.

Applicants should read the payment terms and conditions carefully. These are detailed in the Financial Information section of the application form.

TIMELINE

9 January 2023: Applications open.
24 February 2023 (18:00 GMT): Extended closing date for applications. 
TBC early March: Panel interviews to take place.
30 November 2023: Submission of research to CIPR.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR FREE TRAINING PLACE

The free place is only open to successful recipients of the CIPR Research Fund 2023.

The free place is available on either ‘Research for PR Success’ or ‘Visualising Data’, view course details and dates. 
The place is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for other training or CIPR services.
The course must be taken before 31 December 2023.
Standard training terms apply.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Find a list of our FAQs here.

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