Research Support and Development Office

RSDO Mission

To partner with the Brunel Research Community to enable the achievement of excellence, by:

  • providing outstanding support across the research life cycle to enhance researchers’ abilities to obtain and manage grants
  • driving a positive culture of interdisciplinary, collaborative research
  • providing a gateway for external partners to engage with Brunel’s research and
  • leading developments that will increase the wider societal impact of our research.

RSDO Purpose

We do this by providing support to the Brunel Research Community to identify and secure external funding from UK and international funders, manage and oversee contractual and compliance aspects of research and innovation projects, facilitate research collaborations with external partners, including SMEs, and manage the commercialisation of our research to deliver societal impact.

We also contribute to the development of an enabling and entrepreneurial research culture by managing initiatives and policies to develop our early career academics, to grow interdisciplinary research and external collaboration, to enhance our research infrastructure and to facilitate the establishment of active research groups, as well as to share and showcase our research achievements.

Research Development Section

This section aims to work with academic colleagues to grow research income by providing directed support for strategic research stimulation activities, including interdisciplinary research. It is responsible for:

  • Identifying and promoting new research funding opportunities
  • Costing and pricing research proposals
  • Assisting with proposal development and funding strategies
  • Advising on policy and financial matters relating to research applications
  • Developing interdisciplinary research
  • Managing institutional-level peer review
  • Managing major proposals
  • Developing and supporting collaborative projects with industry
  • Research engagement & events

Contracts and IP Section

This section manages the negotiation and authorisation of research awards and contracts, advises on intellectual property (IP) rights and administers the University’s consultancy scheme. It is responsible for:

  • Negotiating research agreements and accepting research contracts and grants on behalf of the University
  • Setting up research accounts and budgets for new research projects
  • Producing management information on research proposals submitted and grants awarded
  • Advising on intellectual property matters and management of the University patent portfolio
  • Managing the University consultancy scheme

Post-Award Section

The Post-Award Section of RSDO provides Principal Investigators with a holistic and pro-active approach to grant management at Brunel to successfully deliver externally funded research, innovation and strategic doctoral research funding programmes.​ We work closely professional service colleagues in colleges and core professional services, as well as funders, to connect PIs with specialist knowledge and guidance on all aspects of post-award project management.

We do this by providing a responsive service to PIs through set-up, review and closure meetings facilitating the successful resolution of issues that affect research delivery. By applying a risk management approach to our work we aim to identify issues early and provide assurance to the University and funders of our compliance with policies as well as terms and conditions.

Some of what the Post-Award section does is listed below:

  • Managing project set-up, review and closure for all grants with a funder-focussed team
  • Working with the College Research Offices who support day-to-day activity
  • Ensuring award compliance with funder and Brunel policies; supporting ResearchFish submission.

Business Development Section

Brunel is committed to strengthening ties with business through the formation of partnerships with selected companies. The University has an excellent record in developing successful and beneficial relationships with business and industry, locally, nationally and internationally.

Our dedicated Business Development Managers within RSDO will work with you to develop an understanding of the specific needs of your organisation. To find out how your business could benefit from working with the Brunel University, get in touch.