The Sapling Fund

The Sapling Fund is designed to support academic staff from across the University of Leeds in developing a collaborative project rooted in research in the arts and humanities that has the potential to effect change outside the academy.

The academic lead works in collaboration with at least one non-HE partner in the cultural, arts or third sector. The scheme aims to bring about a step-change in partnership working.

In 2025-26, projects must involve research in arts, humanities and/or culture and the translation of research into social and/or economic impact.

Funding is available up to a maximum of £5,000. We expect to fund up to 5 projects. All project activity and expenditure must be completed by 31 July 2026.

The Sapling Fund is jointly delivered by the Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute (LAHRI) and the Cultural Institute (CI) and is supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

Deadline for applications for the Sapling Fund 2025-26 (round 2): rolling deadline.

For full details of the call, please see LAHRI's SharePoint site (UoL only).

For details of previous Sapling Fund projects, please see our Sapling archive pages.