Funding guidance
Background
This year £30,000 is available to support up to six community-led research projects in Weardale, Teesdale and Derwent Valley. In future years, there will be more funding for more community-led research projects.
Rural Durham Community Research Network is funded to:
Enable and support impactful community-led research in Teesdale, Weardale and Derwent Valley.
Bring positive change in rural communities in County Durham with community knowledge and expertise.
In addition to funding, RDCRN-funded research projects can access support from a professional researcher and ongoing support from the Network.
Who can apply?
Staff, volunteers and/or individuals can apply to lead a community-led research project, with the support of a named, constituted, VCSE organisation with a bank account, that works in one or more of the identified rural areas.
You can apply for successive rounds of funding, if you have been unsuccessful previously, or for a research project which builds on the findings and work of a previously funded community-led research project.
What is the deadline for applying for funding?
5pm on Monday 29th July 2025.
How do we apply for funding?
Complete the Research Plan and Funding Details form.
Prior to submitting, discuss your research plan and funding application with Jemma.Austin@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
Submit your plan to hello@communityresearchdurham.org
Free training and support is available to help you complete the form. If you cannot attend the training, you may still apply for funding.
What can the funding be spent on, and how much?
Community researchers and the VCSE organisation can apply for up to £10,000 and are free to decide how they spend the funding.
RDCRN expect community researchers will be paid for their time, and that research participants are compensated for taking part (see the National Institute for Health and Care Research website for suggested payment rates).
It is favourable that the funding be spent in Weardale, Teesdale, and Derwent Valley communities.
When does funding need to be spent by?
Research projects should be completed by May 2026.
Who cannot apply for funding?
Public sector organisations e.g. local authorities, parish councils and town councils, and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply for funding
How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
20% based on relevance to local community with evidence of problem and/or need
20% based on increased local research capability and confidence
20% based on being a realistic plan and budget with evidence of problem and/or need
20% based on being community-led and ethical approach throughout the research plan
20% based on relevance and realistic plans for sharing new knowledge and creating positive outcomes for communities in rural County Durham
The Rural Design Centre leads the assessment of applications, with support from the RDCRN Delivery Team (Durham University and Durham Community Action) and the RDCRN Advisory Group.
They review the Research Plan, Funding Details, how applicants have engaged with the Network, and the application itself.
They check that the plan is fair, inclusive, and meets key research standards.
When will we know if our project will be funded?
Decisions on which projects will be funded in this first group of research projects will be made by Friday, 29th August 2025.
The Rural Durham Community Research Network aims to support you in doing community-led research. Some applications may be approved subject to changes in the application.
If you are unsuccessful, you can get feedback, revise your research plan, and resubmit for future funding.
How will funding be administered?
Successful research projects are required to revisit their Ethics section with RDCRN support before funding is transferred.
RDCRN will transfer the majority of project funding to the lead organisation's account before the research project's start date.
What evidence and/or activity does RDCRN require?
Funded research projects should:
Keep RDCRN up to date on progress when we contact you
Share your experience and findings with RDCRN
Contact RDCRN if your project is not progressing as planned
We ask that funded research projects:
Engage with ongoing RDCRN support and network activities
Tell us if there is additional support you would find helpful, and if anything has been unhelpful
Engage with ongoing RDCRN work to build impact from research
Can we apply again?
Applicants can apply as many times as they choose.
Applications that have previously been unsuccessful and which have been developed are welcome.
Applications for research plans that build on previously funded exploratory research are welcome.