Apply for funding

What We Fund

The Cotton Textiles Research Trust (CTRT) is a charitable organisation that provides funding and support for projects within the remit of the Trust, which is to support activities that will improve processes, systems and knowledge to the benefit of the UK textile industry and the people engaged in it.

Applications are welcomed:

• For a range of projects and activities including visits and exchanges within and across academia and industry.
• From individuals and teams in organisations within the UK including academia, industry and the third sector.

Applicants can apply for:

• Funding up to £2,000 to support the development of people, for example, via workshop/conference attendance, visits to industry/academic partners, cross-sector exchanges. Applications from individuals at the start of their career in the textile industry or who are returning after a period of absence and are looking to renew or extend their knowledge of current and future practices are particularly welcomed. Applications may be made at any time but will only be reviewed twice per year.
• Funding up to £25,000 for projects of 6-12 months duration or for up to £60,000 for projects of 12-24 months duration for activities including but not limited to pilot projects, proof of principle studies, research, evaluations, testing of new products/fibres/methods which meet at least one of the criteria below:
  • Encourage innovation and technological development within the UK textile industry.
  • Improve durability, recycling and sustainability within the UK textile industry and supply chain.
  • Expand knowledge and expertise within the UK textile industry
  • Improve the working environment within the UK textile industry.

Applications covering the UK cotton and natural fibres industry are particularly welcomed. There are two deadlines per calendar year – 31 March and 31 August.  

The following types of projects and activity are not eligible:

• Projects led by UG or Masters students.
• Projects whose main role is to support a PhD studentship.
• Projects above £2,000 led by individuals unaffiliated to any particular organisation.
• Projects where the activity is taking place outside of the UK.
• Projects which are requesting funding for the ongoing costs of existing activity.

Eligible Costs

Eligible Costs	Consumables including for example costs of materials, transcription costs, costs associated with dissemination activities, conference and workshop registration fees. Equipment including access and facilities charges. Travel and subsistence costs, for example, costs of visits, placements, exchanges, conference and workshop attendance.
Ineligible costs	Staff time of people already employed by the hosting organisation is not an eligible cost. Overheads.
Please note typically consultancy costs are not eligible unless they are clearly and strongly justified.

Application, Review and Approval Process

• Please download the appropriate application form and complete and submit by email to info@cottontextilesresearchtrust.org and clairefaichniecotton@gmail.com:

• Eligible applications will be reviewed at a Trustees Board meeting twice a year as outlined below.

Applications Received	Applications Reviewed	Applicants Informed
Between 1 April – 31 August	September Board Meeting	End of September
Between 1 Sept – 31 March	April Board Meeting	End of April

• Successful development of people applicants will be required to submit a short report at the end of their activity.
• Successful project applicants will be required to submit a short interim report every six months with a final report required within three months of the completion of the project.

Assessment criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

For development of people applications and funding up to £2,000:

• The rationale for the activity and how it aligns with the remit of the CTRT.
• The impact on the development of the individual.

For projects:

• The strength of alignment with the remit of the CTRT.
• The project rationale and how clearly presented and justified the activity is in relation to the state-of-the-art knowledge and existing literature.
• The robustness and rigour of the approach, methodology and feasibility of the project.
• The appropriate experience and expertise of the team.
• The strength of the likely impact and outcomes of the project.
• A clear and realistic costed plan of activity that represent value for money.

FAQs

Who can apply? Individuals and teams from a wide range of organisations including universities, research organisations, voluntary and third sector organisations and companies.

Can I apply as an individual/freelancer? If you are applying for a project then we expect all applicants to be affiliated to an organisation and to have that organisation’s approval. If you are applying for a development of people activity you do not need to be affiliated to an organisation.

What type of things do you fund? You can see examples of the projects funded on the CTRT website. In the past the Trust has funded pilot studies, purchase of new equipment, historical research, proof of principle projects testing new methods.

Can multiple institutions/organisations submit a joint application? Yes, joint applications from multiple institutions will be considered.

Can I apply if I have received funding before? Yes, provided that the project that was previously received funded has completed and submitted its final report.

Can I submit multiple proposals? Yes, multiple proposals can be submitted however you can only be awarded one project a time.

What are the rules relating to costings, can I include my time? Staff costs are not an eligible cost.

Can I include overheads in the costings? No, overheads are not an eligible cost.

Can I include equipment? Yes, provided it is clearly related to the work of the project.

What is the selection process? Eligible applications are considered by the Trustees at the Board meeting using the criteria outlined in the call guidance.

When will I know the outcome? Applications are considered at the Trustee Board meeting in April and September of each year and applicants are informed of the outcome within two weeks of the Board meeting.

Do the word counts specified in application form include references? No, the word counts do not include references.

Will you provide feedback if my project is unsuccessful? Yes, all applicants will be informed of the reason why their project may not have been successful.

Am I able to resubmit an application following feedback? Invited resubmissions will be permitted.

For any further queries, please contact info@cottontextilesresearchtrust.org.