Want to work with MDAP? Our team of research data specialists are here to help and collaborate with you at any stage of your research project. There are several ways to work with us, from faculty-supported collaborations and researcher-funded engagements to consultations, grant support and advice.
Which engagement type is for me?
See which option best describes your current research needs. Then scroll down to explore further and get started.
Faculty-supported collaborations
- I have a clear research question/project, requiring digital/data-related support
- I may not yet have secured direct funding for my project
- I want to collaborate with MDAP for at least 3 months
- Project is not time-sensitive, and aligns with annual MDAP Collaboration EOI
Researcher-funded engagements
- I have a clear research question/project, requiring digital/data-related support
- I need immediate technical expertise on a specific part of my project
- I have collaborated with MDAP before, and want to extend that work
- I have funding available, and the project is time-sensitive
Consultations, grant support & advice
- I have a research question, but don’t know where to start
- I need technical/data-related advice on my grant application
- I want to learn about a specific digital/data skill, tool or method
- I have data, but I’m not sure what to do with it
- I want to discuss other ways MDAP could support my research
Ways to engage with MDAP
Expand each of the sections below to learn more about each of the engagement types and which will be best for your project or enquiry.
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- Annual application round
- Two-stage process - EOI then full application
- Project duration of 3 months, with the possibility of extension
- Merit-based allocation
- Independent senior academic decision-making committee
2026 Collaboration round
EOIs for the 2026 round have now closed.
Key dates
- EOIs open – Monday 4 August
- EOIs close – Sunday 14 September
- Full applications open – 25 September
- Full applications close – 26 October
- Outcomes announced – Mid December
- Projects start – Early-mid 2026
EOI process
The EOI is a short introduction to your proposed research project, submitted through Qualtrics.
We’ll ask you for:
- Contact details of primary contact/investigator
- Anticipated team members
- A short description of your project including your research question, methodology, data or datasets being used, and how you see MDAP contributing to your project (max 250 words)
- Short description of intended outputs and outcomes (max 150 words)
When you submit an EOI, it will go through a triage process, primarily to review if we will be able to help, or if your project may be better suited to another team at the University.
Full application process
If the project is suitable for an MDAP Collaboration, we will invite you to complete the full application. We’ll ask additional details about your project using an online Qualtrics form, including:
- Project title
- Chief Investigator and Co-investigators
- Brief project description (max 250 words)
- Project aims (max 350 words)
- Significance and research impact (max 350 words)
- Alignment with Advancing Research 2030 and strategic value for Faculty (max 250 words)
- Strategic value for the research group (max 250 words)
- How you see MDAP contributing to the project (max 250 words)
- Proposed project timeline
- The nature, access to and stage of readiness of your data – including legal, ethical or commercial sensitivities, and alignment with open / Fair data principles (where relevant)
- Supplementary material e.g. images, diagrams, articles.
More information
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We are available year-round to work with you as a researcher-funded engagement.
There’s two main ways to do this:
- You can engage an individual MDAP staff member, charged at a salary cost-recovery rate.
- MDAP can assemble a multi-disciplinary team of data specialists to collaborate on your project, charged at Academic Level C rates.
There are no set limits on the timing or length of funded engagements, subject to staff availability.
For more information visit Researcher-funded Engagements FAQs or read the FAQs then get in touch via the form below.
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Working effectively with data can be complex, and it’s easy to get stuck. We offer consultancy, expert advice, advocacy and involvement in shorter term research projects – whether you are planning a new project, deep within it, or wrapping up.
Depending on requirements and availability, we can provide hands-on assistance with your data-led project.
Depending on capacity and capability, we can either help or redirect you to someone who can.
Other teams we work with
If we don’t have the expertise on hand, we can point you in the right direction to other individuals, groups and services across the University who may be able to help.