It takes imagination to change the world

The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s leading research-intensive academic institutions.

The Cambridge Research Office (CRO) provides strategic leadership and operational support for the full range of research services that underpin the University’s globally recognised research excellence. The effectiveness of the CRO is critical to maintaining the position of Cambridge among the top five universities worldwide.

In 2023/24, the University’s external research income exceeded £500 million, with over £170 million received in block grant funding for research, capital investment, innovation, and knowledge exchange.

The CRO comprises over 200 professional staff and acts as the central administrative hub for research activity across the University. It oversees research policies and procedures and manages the full spectrum of pre- and post-award activities, including application support, financial management, contract negotiation, quality assurance, risk management, audit, and compliance.

The Office coordinates the submission of approximately 3,000 funding applications each year, with a combined value of around £1.4 billion, and manages around 1,400 new research awards annually.

The CRO also plays a strategic role in the development and oversight of the University’s research activities. This includes central responsibility for the University’s REF and KEF submissions; research governance and integrity; management of major research funder relationships; and supporting the establishment and development of partnerships across the public and private sectors.

The Office also supports large-scale funding applications, Interdisciplinary Research Centres, Strategic Research Initiatives and Networks, and the coordination of Strategic Research Reviews and institutional impact and knowledge exchange activities.

The Research Office provides professional support to a number of university committees, including the Research Policy Committee and the University Research Ethics Committee, and has lead responsibility for regulatory compliance in areas such as export control and the National Security & Investment Act.

Working closely with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, and other senior academic leaders, the CRO provides strategic coordination to ensure the University can effectively secure and manage funding across research, knowledge exchange and innovation, while enabling strong partnerships regionally, nationally and internationally.

The Head of Post Award is responsible for the Research Office post award service and support teams and holds strategic responsibility for the financial management of the University’s portfolio of Research Funding. This includes oversight of the post award lifecycle of grants to ensure compliance with funder requirements, internal policies and financial regulations.