Institutional Strategic Support Fund 2013/14 (360G-Wellcome-097813_Z_11_B)

The ISSF has been renewed for two years (2014-2016) for an additional £3M of funding, and has a remit to: Assist the Institution in developing its research strategy across Departments and Divisions. Encourage new inter-departmental synergies, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and inter-institutional initiatives. Add value to existing Wellcome Trust investments in the Institution. The ISSF is a block grant provided to the University, which is managed by a small central committee. The ISSF Committee receives applications for funding from any department in the University. Research projects must fall within the remit of the Wellcome Trust, as well as the strategic remit of biomedical research at Oxford. The fund was first awarded in 2011-2012 with a £1.5M grant from Wellcome, to be matched by £1.5M from the University. For the first year, 25% of the total cost was met by the central University John Fell Fund (£750K). The fund was renewed for two additional years at £1.5M a year, and has now been renewed for a 2-year period through 2016. ISSF funding requires a 50% or greater matching contribution from the Department or University; the source and amount of matched funding must be stated at the time of application, and will be subject to Wellcome Trust oversight at the point of award.