These SEDA small grants are to support research and evaluation in staff and educational development with the goal of continued improvement in the quality and understanding of educational development practices.
SEDA individual members, or staff working in institutions that hold institutional SEDA membership. Applicants do not have to be based in an Educational Development (or similar) Unit.
£1000 for research into educational development practices. Up to a maximum of five grants will be awarded, one of which will be reserved for a ‘developing researcher’ (with limited track record in pedagogic research), in order to encourage capacity-building. All proposals should involve collaboration either within or beyond the institution.
Applications for the 2025 grants are now open. The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Monday 24th February 2025. Applicants will be notified of the results in April 2025 and projects should be completed by August 2026.
See Application Process 2025 for details of how to apply.
The small grants are to support evaluation or research (including action research) into educational development practice. Projects should either lead directly to improvements in educational development practice or increase our understanding of educational development in higher education.
There are no specific themes for this call. Applicants might like to consider issues for educational development with regard to teaching qualifications and accreditation, technology-enhanced learning, HE in FE, or internationalisation. However, all applications will be considered on their merits.
Successful projects vary in nature and may initiate research into a development activity, involve evaluation of a development activity already implemented, or entail a more conceptual exploration of educational development practice (e.g. an empirical research project or a literature review). Previous projects can be viewed at: Grant Holders
The grant may be used to pay for time release, administrative support, equipment, travel or contribute towards attendance at a SEDA conference or other event to disseminate the outcomes (up to a maximum of £250). Whilst the sum awarded may seem small, experience suggests that recipients have welcomed the external recognition for the activity they want to carry out. They have also seen the money as providing a spring-board for further scholarly activities. Successful bidders are also allocated a mentor who can support their project.
What is the purpose of the SEDA small grants?
The grants are intended to fund projects related to educational development, not general learning and teaching. They are specifically for the educational development community.
The grants are for £1000, with one grant reserved for a new researcher.
Projects should aim to have implications for the educational development community beyond the applicant’s immediate practice.
How long have the small grants been running?
The small grants have been running since 2003, except for one year during the pandemic when funding was unavailable.
How competitive are these grants?
The grants are very competitive despite being a relatively small amount of money, as there are many applications.
Where can I find information about the grants and application process?
The SEDA website contains all key dates, application forms, and information.
The website also has links to previous successful grant projects.
What are the key criteria for a successful application?
Applicants must show previous experience and interest in pedagogic research and evaluation (unless applying for the new researcher).
The committee is interested in projects that are theoretically grounded and underpinned by academic development literature, even if the focus shifts to disciplinary literature later. They are also interested in innovation around the use of theory.
The criteria used by the panel are detailed in the application form.
What kind of projects are funded?
There isn’t a specific theme, but projects must relate to educational development.
Examples include toolkits and resources that are sustainable and useful for the educational development community.
What should be avoided in applications?
Projects that are already happening.
Poorly articulated proposals with no clear logistical pathway.
Misalignment with the project and the SEDA criteria.
Time frames that are too ambitious.
Bids without a research question.
What kind of support is available for grant winners?
Successful applicants will receive a mentor from the Scholarship and Research Committee.
Can I get feedback on my idea before applying?
The committee is happy to give feedback on whether an idea is appropriate but they cannot provide more extensive support to avoid bias.
You can also post your idea on the SEDA mailing list to get community feedback.
Consult your institution’s learning and teaching team for feedback.
What can the funding be used for?
Research assistance.
Conference attendance (up to £250).
Refreshments for activities involving students.
Travel (though increasingly reluctant to fund this due to alternatives).
Open access resources.
Other types of expertise your project may require.
What can’t the funding be used for?
Your own time.
Student incentives.
Direct incentives such as gift cards for research participants.
Institutional membership fees.
Consultant Fees
Can a project be funded if it is a continuation of a project that has already started?
It is not typical to fund a project already in progress; however, if the funding is needed and it stands alone in that the results of the part funded would lead to a publishable outcome, then it may be considered. You must make a convincing case for this.
Do I need ethical approval before applying?
No, but you need to stipulate in your application that you will be going through your local ethical approval process, and must provide evidence of this during the year before the empirical part of the research.
Is collaboration required?
Collaboration is highly encouraged, and can be within or outside your institution, with students, or professional bodies. It does not have to be large-scale.
Collaboration should be effective and innovative.
Does the lead applicant have to be an educational developer?
No, the lead does not need to be an educational developer, but the project must be focused on progressing education development and the outcomes must be relevant.
Does the lead applicant need to be a member of SEDA?
Yes, the lead applicant must be a paid member of SEDA.
If my institution is not a member of SEDA, can I still apply?
You can collaborate with someone from a SEDA member institution, and they would need to take the lead role.
Can I contact the committee with further questions?
Yes, you can email the SEDA office and they will direct your questions to the appropriate committee members.
What are the committee looking for in terms of the theoretical framework?
The committee is interested in projects that are theoretically grounded and underpinned by academic development literature, even if the focus shifts to disciplinary literature later. They are also interested in innovation around the use of theory.
What are the committee looking for in terms of the dissemination strategy?
The committee is interested in bids that develop Open Access resources that are of benefit to the educational development community, like toolkits.
How often do the small grant applications come out each year?
The small grant applications come out around the same time each year, in November.
For further information concerning SEDA Research and Evaluation Grants, please contact the SEDA office (office@seda.ac.uk).
A member of the International Consortium for Educational Development