Enhancing Research Culture projects
Our research culture includes the ways we conduct research and the environment where we do it. It enables us to undertake exceptional work across all areas of Liverpool John Moores University. Shaped by all members of our staff and student body, and codified in our Research and Knowledge Exchange Plan 2030, our research culture is driven by empowering everyone to work with:
- Curiosity: to address important questions.
- Creativity: as we work to realise our goals.
- Impact: delivering profound change to transform the world.
Our university has received significant funding from Research England to enhance our research culture. We use Enhancing Research Cultures funding to build on our strengths and to identify and overcome barriers, working with LJMU leaders including our Concordat to Support the Development of Researchers team, our Diversity and Inclusion team, and our Disabled Researchers Network. This page gives information about the funded projects we have launched to foster a thriving research community of staff and students achieving their full potential.
Funding streams for LJMU staff
The Enhancing Research Cultures Fund 2026-2027 call is now closed. It offered three funding streams by competitive application. The three streams were open for applications from LJMU staff between 27 February and 10 April 2026. Funded applications will begin work from 1 August 2026. This web page will be updated with details of upcoming calls as available. For more information, please email ResearchCulture@LJMU.ac.uk.
Research Culture stream
Takes proposals for projects to promote positive change for LJMU’s research culture. Proposals will identify an opportunity or challenge for enhancing how LJMU research culture enables all voices to do their best possible work and then plan activities in response.
Bid Development stream
This stream seeks proposals for activities that will boost projected applications for external research funding. The stream encourages applications from academic staff who are early in their research career. The stream enables staff to develop their research projects toward securing the funding that takes their work to the next level.
Strategic Staffing stream
This stream requests proposals for fixed-term staffing roles that will enhance the University’s research culture in innovative, influential ways. The stream’s purpose is to empower applicants to shape LJMU and address opportunities and challenges in the University’s ways of working. Roles are designed for an initial twelve months. Applicants must present structured plans for training the role-holder and for taking the role onto a longer-term funding source.
Please note:
Please be aware the ‘Research Culture’ and ‘Strategic Staffing’ streams will not fund discovery research unless the proposal is compellingly focused on learning about the institution for the benefit of the research culture.