Rejected Proposals

There are enough instances of the file drawer problem in academia. A similar notion applies to applications, where we only hear of the successes, perpetuating a hero narrative and brazenly skipping over the missed targets. I don't want to add to that, so I've decided to collate this list of grant/project applications that have been rejected. All amounts are approximate: I've done my best to be as accurate as possible.

Total income applied for unsuccessfully (ignoring pending applications): £4,829,198.30

• Research Council Grant (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: October 2025 - September 2026
  Amount requested: £246,500.00
  Managed call; rejected at internal panel
  Point of rejection: Internal Panel

• UK Charity/Charitable Trust
  Anticipated duration: September 2025 - August 2027
  Amount requested: £180,000.00
  Not shortlisted for full grant application
  Point of rejection: Expression of Interest

• Internal Grant Opportunity (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: May 2025 - December 2025
  Amount requested: £14,997.30
  Point of rejection: Panel

• Research Council Grant (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: January 2026 - December 2027
  Amount requested: £1,100,000.00
  Point of rejection: Round 1 Reviews

• Research Council Grant (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: September 2025 - August 2028
  Amount requested: £515,673.00
  Point of rejection: Panel

• Research Council Grant (PI)
  Anticipated duration: January 2025 - May 2026
  Amount requested: £300,000.00
  Reviewer scores: 4/6, 4/6, and 5/6
  Point of rejection: Panel

• Research Council Docotral Training Partnership (Lead supervisor)
  Anticipated duration: September 2025 - August 2028
  Amount requested: £120,000.00
  Reviewer scores: 4.9/6 (individual scores not provided)
  Point of rejection: Panel

• Research Council Grant (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: September 2024 - August 2027
  Amount requested: £647,185.00
  Point of rejection: Prior to peer review

• Internal Grant Opportunity (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: April 2022 - December 2022
  Amount requested: £6,790.00
  Point of rejection: Panel

• Research Council Grant (Co-I)
  Anticipated duration: March 2021 - March 2024
  Amount requested: £1,698,053.00
  Point of rejection: Prior to peer review