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): £4,649,198.30
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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 -
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
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1169-2842
