Research Grant Competition 2024

Grant Criteria

The HDRF Small Grant Competition provides funding of up to £27,500, tenable for up to 24-months, for research projects of relevance to dairy farmers in Scotland.

Projects may concern:

  • Health and welfare of dairy animals
  • Dairy production nutrition and systems
  • Agronomy and soil science relevant to dairy production
  • Socioeconomics of dairy production
  • Milk processing and marketing.

Projects should have a research partner based in Scotland, although in exceptional cases this is not essential.

The closing date for applications is twice a year May and November. Proposals on relevant topics can be submitted at any time, however the Foundation may sometimes specify that proposals in specific areas are encouraged.

Applications should be made by following the details outlined in the Application Guidelines. Candidates should also make themselves aware of the Terms and Conditions of Grant. Applications should be submitted electronically on or before the closing date.

The next call closes 1st November 2024. 

TermsGuidelines

Eligibility

Awards are open to postdoctoral scholars (or equivalent) who are ordinarily based at a Scottish research institution, university or are jointly applying with such a body. Applications require the approval of the applicant’s employing institution, but are not limited to those of any particular status (e.g. Lecturer, Professor etc). Co-applicants may be from anywhere in the world, but the Principal Applicant must be ordinarily based at a Scottish Institution. Please note that post-graduate students are not eligible to apply.

Up to a maximum of £27,500.

Grants are tenable for between 1 and 24 months.

All applications should demonstrate that HRDF funds are sought for a clearly defined, discrete piece of research, which will have an identifiable outcome on completion of the HDRF-funded component of the research.

Applications will not be considered for less than £500 and the maximum grant is £27,500 over two years.

Applications for collaborative or individual projects are equally welcome under this Scheme.

Applications from international groups of scholars are welcome, provided there is a Scottish institution-based scholar as lead applicant.

Please note that the funding provided through the Small Research Grant Scheme cannot be used to cover the cost of replacement teaching, payment in lieu of salary, or computer kit – funds are available to the award-holder only for direct research expenses.

The HDRF will assess applications equally on their merits, with no preference as to mode of enquiry.


Applications must be submitted electronically to foundation secretary, Morag Inglis, on [email protected]

The Hannah Dairy Research Foundation supports all aspects of dairy research including the biology, wellbeing of dairy animals, dairy technology and food production.

To the Blog

Next Generation Dairying Workshop 2022

Next Generation Dairying Workshop 2022

Funded by the Hannah Dairy Research Foundation and supported by the Journal of Dairy Research, Next Generation Dairying Workshops and now Conferences stimulate dairy-related research in Scotland and connect researchers globally to improve food security.

The COVID-19 pandemic meant that our 2020 Workshop was cancelled and the 2021 Workshop was held as a blended event with most delegates participating virtually. In 2018 and 2019 the Workshops were held at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh, and this year we are delighted to be returning to the Moredun for this, the Fourth of the Next Generation Dairying series of meetings.

What will the Next Generation dairy cow look like?

How will we manage her, especially in relation to her feed and feeding?

Where will we obtain feed protein, and how will we ensure she uses it effectively?

Eminent international scientists and younger researchers from Scotland and beyond will address these issues in afternoon and morning sessions, lunch-to-lunch, with short presentations and posters complementing the plenary talks.​Visit the dedicated webpages for more information and to Express Interest