Wellcome Trust Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) projects

In May 2024, the University of Dundee received £1 million in funding over 24 months from the Wellcome Institutional Fund for Research Culture (IFRC). This funding enables us to continue our work in cultivating a positive and supportive research environment.

We offer vital, tailored career development support for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), technicians, and professional staff. Our Support for Career Development Opportunities programme helps you navigate the evolving landscape of your field.

We understand the difficulties of balancing work and family life, especially during school breaks.Our Support During School Holidays programme provides support to all staff and postgraduate researchers managing professional or research duties alongside family responsibilities. This support helps you achieve a better work-life balance.

We provide support to Early Career Researchers (ECRs), technicians, and professional staff balancing workplace responsibilities with caregiving duties. Understanding the unique needs of those with parenting or other caregiving responsibilities, these awards aim to minimise the impact of caregiving on career opportunities.

This initiative empowers future leaders by actively tackling the under-representation of women and BAME researchers at the critical career transition point from postdoctoral positions to independent research leadership.Our initiative introduces three innovative pilot programmes designed to support the development of listening leaders and foster confidence among staff transitioning into leadership roles or thinking about everyday leadership.

This project supports grassroots initiatives addressing barriers faced by various research groups, including technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and those who support research activities.

These gatherings bring together diverse members of our academic community and researchers from various fields (including STEM and social sciences) and professional services staff. Here we share insights and experiences, encouraging collaboration, sparking inspiration, and fostering a sense of belonging.

Carer-friendly meeting spaces provide a secure on-campus environment for researchers and staff to bring children or other dependents to short meetings when face-to-face interaction is necessary. These spaces help alleviate challenges faced by working caregivers, particularly those on leave, who need to maintain professional connections.