This SIPR GRANT was approved through the SIPR Executive Committee. 

Policing Contemporary Social Harms and Challenges 

1. Focus

This SIPR Policing Contemporary Social Harms and Challenges call is purposefully broad in scope in order for a range of topics to be identified by the SIPR community. Priorities may include policing of: minoritised groups (with consideration of intersectionality welcomed), people who use drugs, sex work and hate crime, for example. Projects could also cover topics such as policing and its intersect with or responses to environmental harms, online extremism, disinformation, cybercrime, interpersonal violence and mental health.

If you would like to discuss the suitability of your project idea to ensure it would be appropriate for the remit of this call, please contact either Monica Craig (SPR Knowledge Exchange and Business Manager – m.craig2@napier.ac.uk) OR Professor Liz Aston (SIPR Director – l.aston@napier.ac.uk). 

---

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

2. Eligibility

Applications are welcomed from researchers with expertise in policing contemporary social harms and challenges, including (but not limited to) some of the issues identified above. We particularly welcome applications from early and mid-career researchers.

Projects are expected to align with the SIPR Strategic Research Priorities and where relevant should describe how they will support delivery of the Strategic Police Plan commitments. 

Co-production or co-creation with organisations or communities is welcome but not required, however, the Principal Investigator (PI) must be based at a SIPR member University and this HEI must be the administering organisation. Collaborative applications across universities and disciplines are welcome.

3. Value

A total of £40,000 will be available. The maximum grant value from SIPR per application will be £20,000, though smaller applications are also welcome. We welcome proposals which include co-funding from other sources (which may bring the total project value above £20,000).

---

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS

A short application form will be available to download by clicking the button at the bottom of this page. 

5. Application Process

Applicants are required to complete the relevant application form including the following information:

• Description of team – one paragraph per named investigator which details experience and expertise in the proposed topic including per named investigator;
• Details of the project including background, aims, objectives, partners/ collaborators, methodology, and timeline;
• Proposed budget including a brief justification of resources required; and
• Clear indication of the expected outputs and impact of the project, detailing the potential contribution of the project to the development of the evidence-base, or of policy or practice related to the themes, and how you propose to capture and measure the impact of the project.

Where the project requires access to Police personnel or data, a letter of support from Police Scotland (or the relevant external body) should be sought.
Please ensure you contact Police Scotland’s Research and Insights Team (AcademicResearch@scotland.pnn.police.uk) as soon as possible to ensure the project’s feasibility. Please be advised, Police Scotland will require at least three weeks’ notice for all requests.

6. Terms

Only one application is permitted from any applicant for this call.  

Projects should aim to be a maximum of 12 months in duration, commencing no later than 28^th August 2025 and completed no later than (i.e., acceptance of final research report) by 28^th August 2026.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a funding agreement with SIPR). 50% funding will be provided on commencement of the project with the remaining 50% provided on delivery of the final report. The final research report will be published by SIPR and SIPR must be acknowledged in all media and publications resulting from the project.

Applicants will also be required to report where this funding has enabled the generation of external income as well as where this project has been included as an impact case study.

7. Indicative Timetable