New Researchers Award
Amy Williams during testing in the wind tunnel at the University of Southampton
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Eligibility
UK Sport is hoping to encourage applications for the New Researchers Award from undergraduate students that are studying engineering, science, technology or medicine with a project that has a relevance to elite sports performance. Post graduate researchers who have undertaken their first year of research are also welcome to apply. This award is not open to PhD students. To apply, your university must be participating in the Ideas 4 Innovation programme and have a New Researchers Award Coordinator. To find out whether your university is participating in this programme, please email ideas4innovation@uksport.gov.uk
Judging panel
Members of the UK Sport Innovation Partnership Network and other leading experts in the field of elite sport performance, including Ideas4Innovation Ambassador and Olympic gold medalist Jason Queally, will scrutinise applications during the initial review. They will be looking for projects that excel in:
- Originality
- Methodology
- Execution of the aim
- Potential impact on Olympic and Paralympic sport
- Content and material
Prizes
Up to eight finalists will be asked to attend an awards presentation evening and will receive a £500 prize. If the judging panel feel it is warranted, they may award £25,000 in research funding (see full terms and conditions) to one of these finalists to see the idea taken further.
Application procedure
We have devised a simple application form below. We are asking for an overview of your research, an explanation of the benefits to Olympic and Paralympic sports and how you would use up to £25,000 to continue your study. Please note that ALL applicants must have their application endorsed by the New Researchers Award Coordinator at their university.
Important dates
Applications for the 2010 New Researchers Award are now closed. The result of the Ideas 4 Innovation programme 2020 will be announced shortly. Keep an eye on the website for details of the 2011 competition.
Any enquiries about the Ideas 4 Innovation programme should be sent to ideas4innovation@uksport.gov.uk
Terms and conditions
All applications received by UK Sport must be endorsed by the New Researchers Award Coordinator at the applicant’s university. The eight finalists will be required to submit a copy of their completed research for assessment prior to the awards event. It will not be possible to return the research projects when the competition closes. Click here for full terms and conditions.
The judging panel reserves the right not to award the £25,000 research funding if it feels there are no projects that warrant further investigation.




