We are running this funding opportunity on the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.
The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.
Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.
Watch our recording on recording on how to apply for an opportunity in the Funding Service.
To apply
Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.
- Confirm you are the project lead.
- Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org
Allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service.
- Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the ‘How to apply’ section on this Funding finder page.
- Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.
- Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.
- Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.
Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. You should:
- use images sparingly and only to convey important information that cannot easily be put into words
- insert each new image onto a new line
- provide a descriptive legend for each image immediately underneath it (this counts towards your word limit)
- ensure that files are smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format
Watch our research office webinars about the new Funding Service.
For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:
References
Applications should be self-contained, and hyperlinks should only be used to provide links directly to reference information. To ensure the information’s integrity is maintained, where possible, persistent identifiers such as digital object identifiers should be used. Assessors are not required to access links to carry out assessment or recommend a funding decision. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to your application.
Reference should be included in the appropriate question section of the application and be easily identifiable by the assessors for example (Smith, Research Paper, 2019).
You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.
Deadline
We must receive your application by 3 October 2024 at 4.00pm UK time.
You will not be able to apply after this time. Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.
Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.
Personal data
Processing personal data
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.
We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice.
NERC, as part of UKRI, will need to share the following parts of the application, including any personal information contained therein, with Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) so that they are able to determine eligibility of the Canadian research partner:
- the letter of support (including attestation forms from each named member of the UK and Canadian research teams if required) from the NSERC Alliance Missions principal investigator, (uploaded as a project partner letter of support)
For more information on how NSERC uses personal information, visit NSERC – The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (ATIP).
Publication of outcomes
NERC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity on What NERC has funded.
If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.
Summary
Word count: 550
In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.
We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:
- opinion-formers
- policymakers
- the public
- the wider research community
Guidance for writing a summary
Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:
- context
- the challenge the project addresses
- aims and objectives
- potential applications and benefits
Core team
List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:
- project lead (PL)
- project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
- project co-lead (international) (PcL (I))
- specialist
- grant manager
- professional enabling staff
- research and innovation associate
- technician
- visiting researcher
- researcher co-lead (RcL)
Only list one individual as project lead.
The Canadian research partner principal investigator should be listed as project co-lead (international). No other members of the Canadian research partner team should be included.
The project lead is responsible for setting up and completing the application process on the Funding Service.
Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.
Application questions
Vision
Word limit: 1,500
What are you hoping to achieve with your proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how your proposed work:
- is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s)
- has the potential to advance current understanding, or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area
- is timely given current trends, context, and needs
- impacts world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment
Within this section we also expect you to:
- describe how your project will deliver the intended outcomes of the programme, as outlined in the funding opportunity
- identify the potential direct or indirect benefits of the partnership to UK and Canadian research communities, such as fostering skills sharing and knowledge exchange
- summarise how interdisciplinary expertise and methodologies will enrich the outcomes of your proposed research (if applicable)
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the ‘How to apply’ section.
References may be included within this section.
Approach
Word limit: 1,500
How are you going to deliver your proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Explain how you have designed your approach so that it:
- is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives
- is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed
- uses a clearly written and transparent methodology (if applicable)
- summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed (if applicable)
- will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts
Within this section we also expect you to:
- describe how your selection of Canadian research partner project is appropriate, including an explanation of how the UK and Canadian teams will work together to add value through collaboration
- describe how your project encourages knowledge and skills sharing and capacity development as part of, and not separate to, the stated research approach
- demonstrate access to the appropriate services, facilities, infrastructure, or equipment to deliver the proposed work
- describe any metrics through which you will monitor progress and success of the project (if applicable)
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the ‘How to apply’ section.
References may be included within this section.
Applicant and team capability to deliver
Word limit: 1,650
Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:
- the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work
- the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work
- the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others
- contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the ‘How to apply’ section.
The word limit for this section is 1,650 words: 1,150 words to be used for R4RI modules (including references) and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.
Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.
Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:
- contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge
- the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
- contributions to the wider research and innovation community
- contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit
Additions
Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).
Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.
References may be included within this section.
UKRI has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the Funding Service.
For full details, see Eligibility as an individual.
Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)
Word limit: 500
What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Using the text box, demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations, and how you will manage them. Including:
- research involving human participation, including the numbers and diversity of the participants involved and any procedures
- research involving indigenous peoples or communities
- consideration for preventing environmental harm and enhancing environmental benefit in line with NERC’s responsible business statement
- if you are collecting or using data, identify:
- any legal and ethical considerations of collecting, releasing or storing the data including consent, confidentiality, anonymisation, security and other ethical considerations and, in particular, strategies to not preclude further reuse of data
- formal information standards with which your study will comply
Should your proposed research include collaboration with indigenous peoples or communities (such as Indigenous or Northern community groups), we encourage you to consult the following resources:
Research involving indigenous peoples or communities should adhere to the principles and best practise as described in these documents, including engagement and collaboration with relevant representatives from the indigenous community groups in the development and design of your application. Your response should clearly outline how you have met these requirements.
State the names of any bodies you will require approval from and whether you already have it. If it is not yet in place, then give an indicative timeframe for when it will be.
You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the ‘How to apply’ section.
References may be included within this section.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)
Word limit: 200
Does the proposed work involve international collaboration in a sensitive research or technology area?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
This funding opportunity involves international collaboration in research related to a sensitive research or technology area, namely the ‘Advanced Materials’ area of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act.
Demonstrate how your proposed international collaboration relates to Trusted Research and Innovation, including:
- list the countries your international project co-leads, project partners and visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in. This should include all named researchers and project partners associated with the collaborating Canadian research partner project
- explain whether this project is relevant to one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, and list the areas. It is expected that this should include the ‘Advanced Materials’ area of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act.
We may ask you to provide additional information about how your proposed project will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help manage these risks.
You should be aware that to adhere to the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, following the tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy, for the duration of their involvement in the activities supported by the grant, all research team members are individually responsible for ensuring that they do not hold an active affiliation or receive funding or in-kind support from a named research organisation.
Project partners
Provide details about any project partners’ contributions.
Add details about any project partners’ contributions. If there are no project partners, you can indicate this on the Funding Service.
A project partner is a collaborating organisation who will have an integral role in the proposed research. This may include direct (cash) or indirect (in-kind) contributions such as expertise, staff time or use of facilities.
Add the following project partner details:
- organisation name and address (searchable via a drop-down list or enter the organisation’s details manually, as applicable)
- project partner contact name and email address
- type of contribution (direct or in-direct) and its monetary value
If a detail is entered incorrectly and you have saved the entry, remove the specific project partner record and re-add it with the correct information.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Project partners: letters of support
Word count: 10
Upload a single PDF containing:
This should be uploaded in English or Welsh only. This letter of support must be provided to be eligible for this funding opportunity. We do not require letters of support from any other project partners.
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Enter the words ‘attachment supplied’ in the text box. The letter you provide must use the template, and include:
- the name and affiliation of the UK project lead and title of the UK-led project
- confirmation that the Canadian research partner has received an Alliance Missions grant (provide NSERC application number)
- whether the Alliance Missions grant or proposed additional partnership work with UK applicants aims to advance any of the listed Sensitive Technology Research Areas under the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, and any required attestation forms (PDF, 54KB) for all researchers and collaborators in named roles (UK and Canadian)
- a brief description of how the Canadian and UK project teams are engaged, and how they intend to work together to the benefit of both countries
- an outline of the additional activities to be undertaken by the Canadian research partner
- the amount of supplemental funds in CADs requested by the Canadian research partner in years two and three of their Alliance Missions project
- a detailed justification of how the supplemental funds will be used
Save the letter of support and any required attestation forms in a single PDF no bigger than 8MB.
For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘project partner’.
If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.
The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.
We will share the letter of support including any required attestation forms with NSERC, so that NSERC can confirm eligibility of the Canadian project partner and organise funding if successful.
For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.
Facilities
Word limit: 250
Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
If you will need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility’s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.
For each requested facility you will need to provide the:
- name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 37KB)
- proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list
- confirmation you have their agreement where required
If you have to attach a facility form then upload it as a PDF. If you need to upload multiple forms, then combine them into a single PDF.
If you do not need to use a facility, then simply add ‘N/A’ into the text box, mark this section as complete and move to the next section.
Upload guidance
Upload a single PDF containing facility forms ensuring it is no larger than 8MB, if applicable.
For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives to your application when you create an application, immediately followed by the words ‘facility forms’. Then use the ‘upload’ button.
Unless specifically requested, do not include any personal data within the attachment.
Once you have uploaded, mark this section as complete and move to the next one.
Data management and sharing
Word limit: 500
How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Provide a data management plan that clearly details how you will comply with UKRI’s published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.
Indicate:
- which NERC data centre is required to archive the data
- whether the total volume of data is likely to be larger than 1TB
- any other detail on how you will comply with NERC data policy
Resources and cost justification
Word limit: 2,000
What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?
What the assessors are looking for in your response
Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular:
- project staff
- significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences)
- any equipment that will cost more than £10,000
- any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities
- all facilities and infrastructure costs
- all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’
Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources. Overall, they want to be assured that:
- all resources are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
- the project will make optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
- maximise potential outcomes and impacts
If you have equipment costs, input these under the ‘Directly Incurred’ heading on the Funding Service. This will allow them to be costed at 50% at the awarding stage (and ignore the 80% FEC displayed on the Funding Service).
