I'm completing an online application form that asks for "Understanding of the funding opportunities and constraints of the academic field".

What on earth is one supposed to say?

It doesn't ask for track record of obtaining funding (that's a separate question, and I can answer that).

I just don't get what they are looking for here. Any clues?

(The field is political science, and this is a UK institution)

Many thanks.

Not come across this before but I'd guess that they just want someone with knowledge of the funding sources available, what the annual funding cycle is, how competitive these grants are, where you can find other small grants/change down the back of the sofa etc.

'Track record of obtaining funding' is a more typical way of probing this. But I guess if you hadn't had the opportunity to apply for funding before, at least being aware of the sources is important.