Funding opportunity

Funding opportunity: BBSRC follow-on fund: 2023 round 2

Apply for follow on funding (FoF) to bridge the gap between bioscience research and achieving economic and societal benefit.

FoF applications must draw substantially on prior BBSRC funding. You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding.

FoF awards aim to take ideas through to a stage where the route to practical application is clear.

The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can be up to £800,000. We will fund 80% of the FEC. FoF awards support defined programmes of work up to two years.

The funding opportunity will open on 9 August 2023.

Who can apply

Before applying for funding, check the Eligibility of your organisation.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new UKRI Funding Service.

For full details, visit Eligibility as an individual

Also visit BBSRC guidance for applicants

Who is eligible to apply

  • Projects considered through this programme must have a direct link to current or previous BBSRC-supported funding.
  • A project lead is the individual who takes responsibility for the intellectual leadership of the translation project and its project management. They will be our main contact for the proposal and must be:
    • based at a UK research organisation eligible for BBSRC funding, which will be responsible for submitting the grant application to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
    • resident in the UK for at least 183 days in a tax year
    • hold a lecturer or lecturer-equivalent position at a UK higher education institution, research council institute or a UKRI-approved independent research organisation
    • employed at the submitting research organisation at lecturer level, or equivalent, or due to move to the organisation before the start date of the grant
    • if not employed, you must have an agreement that the research will be conducted at the submitting research organisation, as if you were an employee at lecturer level, or equivalent.
  • Co-applicants must be employed at an eligible organisation and meet the same employment criteria.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

  • career breaks
  • support for people with caring responsibilities
  • flexible working
  • alternative working patterns

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at UKRI.

What we're looking for

Aim

The aim of our follow-on fund (FoF) is to help researchers maximise the commercial, economic, and societal benefits of their research.

Scope

Our FoF is designed to enable researchers, with a sound understanding of the market opportunity of their intellectual assets, to execute a defined programme of work that has clear objectives.

Projects considered through this programme must:

  • draw on current or previous BBSRC supported research (or other type of BBSRC research investment), or both
  • enable research outputs to be further developed into practical application to deliver benefit and impact

We support both early-stage projects aimed at de-risking innovative ideas and later-stage projects that encompass significant technical milestones.

It is recognised that smaller scale, in particular early-stage, projects may not require the full word count allowance for each application section.

FoF projects must seek to deliver demonstrable benefit to the UK. However, it is recognised that the outcomes of some projects may also provide benefits to, or operate within, international markets.

Projects previously funded through the Global Challenges Research Fund and Newton Fund funding opportunities would be considered eligible for FoF. However, they must ensure they clearly articulate how they will deliver social and economic impact within the UK.

We conduct reviews of applications to ensure their alignment with the designated scope and retains the authority to reject applications considered out of scope before assessment by the FoF committee.

Remit

Applications to the FoF must be within our remit. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the remit of your proposed project, please see the ‘Contact details’ section.

We conduct reviews of applications to ensure their alignment with our remit and retain the authority to reject applications considered out of remit before assessment by the FoF committee.

We may share applications with other UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) councils to consider remit and direct you to the most appropriate council for consideration.

Project partners

Involvement of industry and users as project partners is strongly encouraged. Proposals which do not have project partners are expected to clearly articulate how industry and users have shaped the project to date and how they will be engaged in the future development of the project.

Webinar

The FoF applicant webinar will be held on the 15 August 2023 at 1:30 to 2:30pm UK time. To register for this webinar, please see the Additional information section. We will also provide a link to the recording of the webinar for those unable to attend.

Duration

The duration of this award is two years.

Funding available

The FEC of your project can be up to £800,000.

We will fund 80% of the FEC.

What we will fund

FoF grant applications must demonstrate that the proposed work programme:

  • is based on a sound understanding of the market need and opportunity that its product, service or technology aims to satisfy
  • is robust and designed to optimise the commercial, economic, and societal benefit derived from the grant
  • has a substantial link to our previous research funding

What we will not fund

Applications to FoF should have a primary focus on the translation of research or knowledge, or both, making the following ineligible:

  • projects focused solely on delivering training
  • new research or extending an existing research grant
  • applied or contract research conducted on behalf of commercial organisations
  • applications outside of our remit
  • supporting the direct costs associated with applying for Intellectual property (IP) protection, for example patent filing

We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.

How to apply

We are running this funding opportunity on the new 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.

To apply:

Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.

1. Confirm you are the project lead.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.

5. Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.

Watch our research office webinars about the new Funding Service.

Deadline

We must receive your application by 4 October 2023 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.

Personal data

Processing personal data

BBSRC, 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.

Publication of outcomes

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 may make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, so 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
  • aims and objectives
  • fit to the scope of this opportunity

Core team

List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:

  • project lead (PL)
  • project co-lead (UK) (PcL)
  • researcher co-lead (RcL)
  • specialist
  • research and innovation associate
  • technician

Only list one individual as project lead.

Find out more about UKRI’s new grant roles.

Background

Word count: 2,000

What is the background to this application, including the direct link to current or previous BBSRC funding, and the technical development work that has preceded?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Provide a brief overview of the background to this application:

  • include the key grants (and funders) that have enabled and informed the work proposed in the application, specifying any previous BBSRC grant references
  • details of the development steps that have progressed the research/innovation to this translation stage
  • how the proposed work aligns with and addresses the priorities detailed within our Strategic Delivery Plan

Within the Background section we also expect you to:

  • identify if the application is a resubmission (including invited resubmission) and how the proposed work has developed
  • reference any other correspondence with us relevant to and regarding the application

Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Opportunity and market

Word count: 1,200

What is the opportunity or challenge you are seeking to exploit or address, that could lead to the development or deployment of a new or improved product, service or technology?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

You should:

  • describe the market opportunity or need that this proposal will seek to address, including the sector and scale
  • outline the proposed solution to address the opportunity or need, considering the scalability of the proposed approach
  • where there is existing or competing innovations or solutions, explain how your proposed approach improves on them
  • identify the end-user or customer base, explaining how the proposed solution provides a practical solution to their needs

Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.

You can use the upload file function to provide directly relevant excerpts of market research reports. This must be no longer than 10 sides of A4 in Arial 11pt and uploaded as a PDF of no more than 8MB. Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Development plan

Word count: 1,600

How has the idea or solution been developed to date and what is the proposed approach for further development?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

You should:

  • detail the current understanding or maturity of the innovation or technology and how the proposed work will enable its development, referencing any pertinent data from previous research
  • explain how key users, customers and any investors will be engaged throughout the project, referencing any prior interactions
  • include specific project deliverables and the resourcing necessary to deliver the proposed work using a Gantt chart or similar aide
  • detail any necessary access to facilities, expertise, or consultancy essential to delivering the proposed work
  • outline where intellectual property (IP) and freedom to operate considerations will need to be accounted for (for example: where licenses will need to be obtained)
  • make clear any risks that exist, outlining mitigation strategies for the issues that may limit this project from delivering on its financial, commercial, and technical objectives
  • detail the contribution of any industry or other organisation with whom you plan to partner

UKRI does not anticipate any business to have exclusive rights to the assets and IP arising from the funded project, either at the time of application, or during any subsequent grant.

You must include a Gantt chart (or similar aide). Ensure your file is no larger than an A4 page and accompanied by no more than 50 words, in a single PDF that’s a maximum of 8MB. Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.

Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Route to market and intellectual assets

Word count: 1,200

How will the proposed project progress the innovation or technology towards achieving market or application?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

You should:

  • describe how the proposed work will inform or deploy the product, service or technology using the most appropriate route to market
  • outline what further support you may need, following this funding, to deliver your product, service, or technology, for example: access to networks, further funding, private investment, and skills
  • outline how any intellectual assets generated, including Intellectual Property (IP), will be managed throughout the project to enable further development and ensure future success

Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Wider benefits

Word count: 1,200

Beyond the commercial opportunity, what are the potential societal, environmental, and economic benefits of the proposed approach?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

You should:

  • explain why public funding is appropriate and essential for the proposed programme of work, including why private investment cannot, or will not enable this
  • consider the potential impact on high-level societal challenges, for example: gender equality, diversity, social inclusion, and climate change
  • outline any wider economic impacts, for example: job creation, skills, and capacity building
  • describe the steps you will take to maximise any potential benefits

Within this section you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further instructions are provided within the Funding Service.

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Your organisation’s support

Word count: 10

Provide details of support from your research organisation.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Provide a letter of support from your research organisation detailing why the proposed work is needed. This should include details of any matched funding that will be provided to support the activity and any additional support that might add value to the work.

The committee will be looking for a strong statement of commitment from your research organisation. This should include a statement regarding the organisation’s support of the innovation to this stage, involvement in business or industry engagement and business development activities.

We recognise that in some instances, this information may be provided by the research office, the technology transfer office (TTO) or equivalent, or a combination of both.

You must also include the following details:

  • a significant person’s name and their position, from the TTO or research office, or both
  • office address or web link

If the letter is not from a TTO, research office or both, this will invalidate the application.

If you are requesting funds to support equipment costs that require a letter of support from your organisation (for example, equipment between £10,000 and £138,000), please include that letter within this section.

Upload details are provided within the service on the actual application.

Project partners

Word count: 500

Provide details of any project partners’ contributions, and letters or emails of support from each named partner.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Download and complete the Project partner contributions template (DOCX, 52KB).

Further instructions on how to include the completed template will be provided within the Funding Service.

Each letter or email you provide should:

  • confirm the partner’s commitment to the project
  • clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them
  • describe any additional value that they bring to the project
  • for more guidance, refer to the BBSRC grants guide, collaborations section

Save letters or emails of support from each partner in a single PDF no bigger than 8MB. Unless specially requested, please do not include any personal data within the attachment.

The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If you do not have any current project partners, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Applications without project partners must use the text box to clearly articulate how industry and / or users have contributed to the development of the project to date and how they will be engaged in the future progress of the project.

Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the contributions template.

For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.

Do not provide letters of support from host and project co-leads’ research organisations.

Applicant and team capability to deliver

Word count: 1,500

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

The word count for this section is 1,500 words, 1,000 words to be used for R4RI modules 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.

UKRI has introduced new role types for funding opportunities being run on the new Funding Service.

For full details, see Eligibility as an individual.

Data collection or acquisition

Word count: 700

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 which should clearly detail how you will comply with our published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.

Intellectual property rights (IPR)

Word count: 500

Provide a brief description of the intellectual assets underpinning the proposed work

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Include any IPR if appropriate. If your IPR is a patent, please include the patent number or numbers along with a summary scope of the claims. We recognise that not all applications to the FoF will have a patent or other IPR.

Ethical and responsible research and innovation (RRI) considerations

Word count: 700

Over and above any research involving humans, human tissue, genetically modified organisms, or animals, are there any ethical considerations associated with your product, service or technology?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

You should:

  • include ethical considerations that are beyond formal regulatory and legal frameworks
  • outline whether there any ethical considerations relating to the project or its impacts, including any potential impacts on the environment and potential dual use implications
  • consider societal acceptance of your idea and, where you think this might limit uptake, outline strategies that could mitigate this

Number your references in this section using a superscript citation style. Then include the details of these references in a corresponding list, in the ‘References’ section of this application.

Please note, external weblinks are not permitted in this section.

Genetic and biological risk

Word count: 700

Does your proposed research involve any genetic or biological risk?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

In respect of animals, plants or microbes, are you proposing to:

  • use genetic modification as an experimental tool, like studying gene function in a genetically modified organism
  • release genetically modified organisms
  • ultimately develop commercial and industrial genetically modified outcomes

If yes, provide the name of any required approving body and state if approval is already in place. If it is not, provide an indicative timeframe for obtaining the required approval.

Identify the organism or organisms as a plant, animal or microbe and specify the species and which of the three categories the research relates to.

Identify the genetic and biological risks resulting from the proposed research, their implications, and any mitigation you plan on taking. Assessors will want to know you have considered the risks and their implications to justify that any identified risks do not outweigh any benefits of the proposed research.

If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Research involving the use of animals

Word count: 10

Does your proposed research involve the use of vertebrate animals or other organisms covered by the Animals Scientific Procedures Act?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

If you are proposing research that requires using animals, download and complete the Animals Scientific Procedures Act template (DOCX, 74KB), which contains all the questions relating to research using vertebrate animals or other Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulated organisms.

Save it as a PDF. The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Conducting research with animals overseas

Word count: 10

Will any of the proposed animal research be conducted overseas?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

If you are proposing to conduct overseas research, it must be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with those in the UK, as in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research, page 14.

Ensure all named applicants in the UK and overseas are aware of this requirement. Provide a statement to confirm that:

  • all named applicants are aware of the requirements and have agreed to abide by them
  • this overseas research will be conducted in accordance with welfare standards consistent with the principles of UK legislation
  • the expectation set out in Responsibility in the use of animals in bioscience research will be applied and maintained
  • appropriate national and institutional approvals are in place.

Overseas studies proposing to use non-human primates, cats, dogs, equines or pigs will be assessed during NC3Rs review of research applications. Provide the required information by completing the template from the question ‘Research involving the use of animals’.

For studies involving other species, select, download, and complete the relevant Word checklist or checklists from this list:

Save as a PDF. If you use more than one checklist, save it as a single PDF.

The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Research involving human participation

Word count: 700

Will the project involve the use of human subjects or their personal information?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

If you are proposing research that requires the involvement of human subjects, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.

Justify the number and the diversity of the participants involved, as well as any procedures.

Provide details of any areas of substantial or moderate severity of impact.

If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Research involving human tissues or biological samples

Word count: 700

Does your proposed research involve the use of human tissues, or biological samples?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

If you are proposing work that involves human tissues or biological samples, provide the name of any required approving body and whether approval is already in place.

Justify the use of human tissue or biological samples specifying the nature and quantity of the material to be used and its source.

If this does not apply to your proposed work, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Resources and cost justification

Word count: 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
  • If your project requires an activity to be outsourced, please detail why it is required and the cost
  • 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 you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:

  • are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified
  • represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes
  • maximise potential outcomes and impacts

Facilities

Word count: 700

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, 35KB)
  • proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list
  • confirmation you have their agreement where required

If you will not need to use a facility, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

References

Word count: 1,000

List the references you have used to support your application.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Include all references in this section, not in the rest of the application questions.

You should not include any other information in this section.

We advise you not to include hyperlinks, as assessors are not obliged to access the information they lead to or consider it in their assessment of your application.

If linking to web resources, to maintain the information’s integrity, include persistent identifiers (such as digital object identifiers) where possible.

You must not include links to web resources to extend your application.

How we will assess your application

Assessment process

We will assess your application using the following process.

Panel

All applications will be assessed by the FoF committee. The FoF committee are a panel of experts selected by BBSRC’s Appointments Assurance Committee. Collectively, the committee review your application against the criteria and rank it alongside other applications.

BBSRC will make the final funding decision.

Feedback

We will give feedback with the outcome of your application.

Principles of assessment

We support the San Francisco declaration on research assessment (DORA) and recognise the relationship between research assessment and research integrity.

Find out about the UKRI Principles of Assessment and Decision Making.

Assessment criteria

The criteria we will assess your application against are:

Scientific and technical merit

To what extent does the proposal identify or demonstrate:

  • high scientific quality (including technical feasibility, objectives and deliverables)
  • potential risks with any mitigation strategies
  • novelty regarding any existing technology
  • a technology readiness level gain throughout project
  • quality of the development and implementation plan, including strength of the consortia (both academic and project partners where relevant)
  • input from end users and customers

Societal impact

To what extent does the proposal articulate:

  • the societal benefits of the proposed innovation, including non-monetary benefits, for example: time saved, patients care improved and so on
  • a knowledge exchange plan, including dissemination of expertise into the challenge area
    how it addresses the needs of end users or customers
  • consideration of regulatory alignment, engagement or both (where relevant)
  • consideration of societal sensitivities, for example: reduced plastic, data security and so on

Economic impact

To what extent does the proposal demonstrate:

  • a robust business plan, for example: need, size, competitors, value, and location
  • the likelihood of commercialisation and route to market (including project partner support, if relevant)
  • economic benefit, both UK and globally
  • consideration of intellectual property management

Added value

To what extent does the proposal demonstrate:

  • that the resources requested, relative to the anticipated outputs, represent an appropriate investment of our funds (value for money)
  • the degree of support from project partners, both during project and after funding (if relevant)
  • a consideration of the future of the project after FoF funding has finished

Find details of assessment questions and criteria under the ‘Application questions’ heading in the How to apply section.

Contact details

Get help with your application

For help on costings and writing your application, contact your research office. Allow enough time for your organisation’s submission process.

Ask about this funding opportunity

Email: support@funding-service.ukri.org

Phone: 01793 547490

Our phone lines are open:

  • Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm
  • Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

Sensitive information

If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email the Funding Service helpdesk on support@funding-service.ukri.org

Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].

Typical examples of confidential information include:

  • individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)
  • declaration of interest
  • additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the Applicant and team capability section
  • conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection
  • the application is an invited resubmission

For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.

Additional info

Webinar for potential applicants

We held a webinar on 15 August 2023 to provide more information about the funding opportunity and a chance to ask questions.

Watch webinar recording on YouTube

Research disruption due to COVID-19

We recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major interruptions and disruptions across our communities. We are committed to ensuring that individual applicants and their wider team, including partners and networks, are not penalised for any disruption to their career, such as:

  • breaks and delays
  • disruptive working patterns and conditions
  • the loss of ongoing work
  • role changes that may have been caused by the pandemic

Reviewers and panel members will be advised to consider the unequal impacts that COVID-19 related disruption might have had on the capability to deliver and career development of those individuals included in the application. They will be asked to consider the capability of the applicant and their wider team to deliver the research they are proposing.

Where disruptions have occurred, you can highlight this within your application if you wish, but there is no requirement to detail the specific circumstances that caused the disruption.

Updates

  • 22 August 2023
    Webinar recording link added to the 'Additional info' section.

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