Heilbronn Institute For Mathematical Research

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £20 million UKRI investment (2020-2028), plus ongoing grant programs
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Usually within a few weeks (Small Grants)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-based mathematicians only
• Application Method: Rolling (Small Grants), Annual deadline (Focused Research Grants)

Contact Details

Website: https://heilbronn.ac.uk/

Address:

Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research

School of Mathematics, University of Bristol

Fry Building, Woodland Road

Bristol, BS8 1UG

Email:

• General Enquiries: heilbronn-manager@bristol.ac.uk
• Event Enquiries: heilbronn-coordinator@bristol.ac.uk
• Small Grants: heilbronn-manager@bristol.ac.uk (Eleanor Machin, Heilbronn Manager)
• Focused Research Grants: heilbronn-administrator@bristol.ac.uk

Mailing List: Available via JISCMail

Overview

The Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research (HIMR) was founded in 2005 as a strategic partnership between UK Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the UK academic mathematics community, with the University of Bristol as its principal academic partner. Named after distinguished number theorist Hans Heilbronn, who worked at Bristol from 1934-1935 and 1946-1964, the Institute operates with the vision of “Building UK mathematical capacity and helping keep the country safe.”

The Institute received a major £20 million investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) over an eight-year period (2020-2028), officially accepted by the University of Bristol in January 2021. HIMR maintains hubs in Bristol, London, and Manchester, supporting over 40 postdoctoral research fellows and over 40 PhD students based at more than 15 universities across the UK. The Institute operates two distinct grant programs: the Small Grants Scheme (rolling applications up to £10,000) and Focused Research Grants (annual call, up to £8,000). In recent years, HIMR has funded over 70 proposals supporting research, diversity initiatives, and the mathematics pipeline from schools through to postdoctoral level.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Scheme (Rolling applications)

• Amount: Up to £5,000 (routinely); up to £10,000 (with strong justification); occasionally greater with compelling case
• Application Method: Rolling basis, quick response (usually within weeks)
• Funded by: UKRI/EPSRC 'Additional Funding Programme for Mathematical Sciences' or Heilbronn Institute directly

Focused Research Grants (Annual deadline)

• Amount: Up to £8,000
• Application Method: Annual call, typically closing in early February
• Purpose: Support focused research groups (4-8 researchers) working together for approximately one week on challenging mathematical problems

Priority Areas

Small Grants Scheme supports:

• Workshops, conferences, symposia, colloquia, or seminars
• Travel and local expenses for visiting professors/academics, PhD students, or speakers
• Collaborative research programmes
• Education and training of students and young mathematicians
• Activities that support UK mathematical research but are not funded by other sources

Focused Research Grants prioritize:

• Pure Mathematics (broadly interpreted)
• Probability and Statistics (broadly interpreted)
• Quantum Information (broadly interpreted)
• Projects with “adventurous and challenging mathematical problems”
• Clear problem to be addressed by bringing together small, focused groups
• International participation encouraged
• Balance of experienced and early career researchers
• Diversity in research groups

What They Don't Fund

• Activities already funded by other sources (Small Grants)
• Large conferences or workshops (Focused Research Grants are specifically for small, intensive working groups)
• Projects without substantial UK-based component
• Non-mathematical research activities

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Governance and Leadership

Chair: Professor Catherine Hobbs (appointed September 2023, succeeding Professor Geoffrey Grimmett)

Professor Hobbs leads the Institute's external research activities and is responsible for sustaining and enhancing HIMR's profile as an internationally leading research institute. Upon her appointment, she stated: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead HIMR. The Institute has become a vital part of the infrastructure of UK mathematics and I look forward to working closely with the mathematics community to build upon the excellence already achieved at HIMR, which in turn adds value to mathematics in the UK.”

Heilbronn Manager: Eleanor Machin (heilbronn-manager@bristol.ac.uk, Room 2.85, Fry Building)

Partnership Structure: The Institute operates as a partnership between GCHQ and UK universities, with governance supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Distinguished Contributors: Past and present contributors include Professors Sir John Ball, Bryan Birch, Clifford Cocks, David Hand, Roger Heath-Brown, Christopher Hooley, Frank Kelly, James Norris, Michael Paterson, Tony Scholl, Nicholas Shepherd-Barron, Sir Martin Taylor, and Dominic Welsh.

Core Values:

• Support equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Act with integrity
• Foster collaborative working

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grants Scheme (Rolling Applications):

• Application Length: One page of A4 for grants up to £5,000; two pages for larger applications
• Submit to: heilbronn-manager@bristol.ac.uk (Eleanor Machin)
• Process: Deliberately designed to be simple with minimal bureaucracy
• Response Time: Usually within a few weeks

Focused Research Grants (Annual Call):

• Application Length: Maximum two pages of A4
• Deadline: Annual call closing in early February (e.g., Monday 3 February 2025, 9:00am GMT)
• Submit to: heilbronn-administrator@bristol.ac.uk
• Requirements: Must include mathematical problem explanation, participant details, proposed outcomes, clear budget outline, and working event structure
• Review Process: Panel review chaired by Heilbronn Institute Chair
• Reimbursement: After event completion and final reports

Decision Timeline

• Small Grants: Quick response, usually within a few weeks of submission
• Focused Research Grants: Decisions made following annual February deadline, with events typically taking place later in the year

Success Rates

The Institute does not publicly disclose application success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. However, the Institute reported funding “over 70 proposals during the year” in recent annual reviews, indicating substantial grant activity.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Given the rolling nature of Small Grants and the supportive, collaborative approach of the Institute, unsuccessful applicants are likely able to reapply, particularly if they can strengthen their proposal. Contact the Heilbronn Manager for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

For Small Grants:

Keep it concise: The Institute has deliberately designed the application process to be simple. For grants up to £5,000, one page is sufficient; two pages will suffice for most larger applications. This signals they value clarity and directness.

Focus on support, not duplication: Applications should demonstrate that the activity is not already funded by other sources. Show how the grant fills a specific gap.

All career stages welcome: The Institute explicitly states they “anticipate receiving proposals from mathematicians at all career stages, from PhD student to Professor,” so early-career researchers should not hesitate to apply.

Quick turnaround focus: The “usually within a few weeks” response time suggests the Institute values proposals that are ready to implement quickly and don't require extensive deliberation.

For Focused Research Grants:

Importance and timeliness: Proposals are “judged principally on the importance and timeliness of the mathematics to be focused on.” Clearly articulate why this problem matters now.

Track record matters: The selection panel considers “the track records of the senior members of the groups.” Ensure senior participants have demonstrated expertise in the proposed area.

Clear problem definition: There should be “a clear problem to be addressed” - avoid vague or overly broad proposals. The Institute wants to see focused, achievable objectives for the week-long intensive research period.

Optimal group composition: Aim for 4-8 people working together for approximately one week. This specific format is what the grant is designed to support.

Diversity and balance: Applications are encouraged to include international participants and maintain a balance of experienced and early career researchers. Explicitly address diversity in your group composition.

Priority areas alignment: While proposals from Pure Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, and Quantum Information (all interpreted broadly) receive priority, the Institute does consider other areas if the case is compelling.

Example Funded Projects:

• Erdős–Szemerédi sum/product conjecture: A group of UK-based and overseas mathematicians developed a new approach, creating a springboard for further research including PhD projects within a broader international community.

• Women in Number Theory and Geometry retreat: HIMR was one of five funding bodies supporting the second edition, helping construct a strong community of women in graduate mathematics through selected talks and discussions.

• Mastering Mathematics programme: Part of HIMR's Widening Participation support goes to this programme at Bristol's School of Mathematics, addressing knowledge gaps between year 13 and university.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Low barriers to entry: The deliberately simple application process (1-2 pages) and quick response time make this an accessible funder for UK-based mathematicians at any career stage.

• Rolling availability: The Small Grants Scheme accepts applications year-round, making it ideal for time-sensitive opportunities like visiting speaker support or collaborative research that doesn't fit academic year schedules.

• Quality over quantity: With maximum two-page applications even for £8,000 grants, the Institute values concise, well-argued proposals that clearly articulate the mathematical importance and practical logistics.

• UK mathematics infrastructure focus: As Professor Hobbs noted, “The Institute has become a vital part of the infrastructure of UK mathematics.” Frame your proposal in terms of how it strengthens UK mathematical capacity and community.

• Diversity and inclusion valued: The Institute's core values explicitly include equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applications that demonstrate thoughtful attention to these values (e.g., supporting underrepresented groups, balancing career stages) align with institutional priorities.

• Contact for guidance: The Institute encourages direct questions to Eleanor Machin (Heilbronn Manager) for Small Grants and the Heilbronn Administrator for Focused Research Grants. Don't hesitate to reach out for clarification before applying.

• Not just for elite institutions: While based at Bristol and partnered with major universities, the Institute supports mathematicians across more than 15 UK universities and explicitly welcomes applications from all career stages, suggesting broad accessibility.

References

1. Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research official website, “Small Grants Scheme,”. https://heilbronn.ac.uk/2021/09/06/heilbronn-rolling-call-for-small-grants-scheme/

1. Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, “Focused Research Grants: Call for Applications,” November 2024. https://heilbronn.ac.uk/2024/11/04/focused-research-grants-call-for-applications/

1. Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, “About,”. https://heilbronn.ac.uk/about/

1. Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, “Contact us,”. https://heilbronn.ac.uk/contact/

1. University of Bristol, “Professor Catherine Hobbs Appointed Chair of the Heilbronn Institute,” February 2023. https://heilbronn.ac.uk/2023/02/20/new-chair-himr/

1. University of Bristol, “Heilbronn Institute funding,” January 2021. https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2021/january/heilbronn-institute-funding.html

1. Wikipedia, “Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research,”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heilbronn_Institute_for_Mathematical_Research

1. Bristol Mathematics Research, “Eleanor Machin,”. https://www.bristolmathsresearch.org/staff-profile/eleanor-machin/