Applications should be submitted through the Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S) system by 5 October 2021 at 16:00, and will need to go through the appropriate institution submission process prior to this.
We recommend you start your application early. You can save completed details in Je-S at any time and return to continue your application later.
To prepare a proposal form in Je-S, log in to your account and choose ‘documents’ from the menu, then select:
- ‘create new document’
- council: ‘AHRC’
- document type: ‘standard proposal’
- scheme: ‘development grants’
- call, type or mode: ‘Collaborative Knowledge Exchange Projects on the Theme of Place 5 Oct 2021’
Je-S will then create a proposal form, displaying the relevant section headings. Using the blue question marks and the ‘Help’ link at the top of each section will provide guidance relevant to that section of the form.
All investigators named on the Je-S application form must have a Je-S account. Where this doesn’t already exist, it can be easily set up, but please note that it can take a number of days so it is strongly recommended that the process be started well before the application deadline. Je-S accounts can be created on the Je-S site. During account set-up, an account type of ‘An applicant on a standard/outline proposal’ must be selected.
Proposals will need to show 100% of the full economic cost of the proposed research, with AHRC covering 80% of this.
Attachments
As well as the Je-S application form, the following documents must be submitted, unless it is indicated they are optional. General guidance on attachments is provided in AHRC’s research funding guide. Any guidance specific to this call is provided below and takes precedence.
You should attach your documents as PDFs to avoid errors. They should be completed in single-spaced Arial 11 font or similar-sized sans serif typeface.
Case for support
Maximum seven pages. Eligible applications will contain the information below.
Use the same section headings for the narrative as we have used below.
1. Aims and objectives
You should describe the aims and objectives of your proposal and explain the specific targets to be achieved at milestones as well as by the end of the award.
2. Which call-specific area or areas this project addresses
You should state which of the call-specific areas your project focuses on.
3. Context
You should describe the context for your proposed activities, clearly identifying the existing piece or body of research the proposed activities are based on.
You should provide evidence that the research is of direct relevance to the wider audiences or organisations that you intend to work with. Ability to demonstrate that there is a well-defined need and that you have consulted and involved potential users, stakeholders or both in developing the proposal is an important requirement.
Where your proposal is for an emergent activity within the current lifespan of a project or ongoing research, you should explain:
- how this opportunity has arisen
- why it wasn’t included in the original plans for the project
- the timeliness of the activity
- how it will enhance the impact of the research.
4. Proposed activities
Please provide a clear and concise description of the activities to be undertaken. The proposed work should be fully explained, taking into account the criteria of this opportunity. Justification should be provided for the chosen approach or methods.
5. Timetable
Describe the timetable for the project, including appropriate milestones and dates for when outcomes or outputs of the project will be completed.
6. Project management
You should describe:
- the respective roles and responsibilities that you, your host research organisation and the project partners or stakeholders will undertake
- the process by which a shared understanding of this has been reached.
How will the project be managed on a day-to-day basis?
How will it be monitored to review progress and ensure delivery against the aims and objectives?
7. Collaboration
Where appropriate, detail:
- the organisation or organisations that you’re working with
- their role in the project
- how you’ll work together to develop and deliver the outcomes.
It’s vital that the project responds to a well-defined non-academic need and that there has been a joint or consultative approach to its development. Where you are not working with a named collaborating organisation or project partner, detail the methods used to consult with relevant stakeholders and user communities to formulate the project.
If you have an existing working relationship with the collaborating organisations or project partners, briefly describe the nature of that relationship. How will this project enhance that relationship? If you are seeking to establish a working relationship with a new partner then please describe the steps you will take or have taken to make that happen.
Please also outline any relevant issues of ownership or intellectual property arising from the project and how these will be handled.
8. Outcomes, impact and legacy
Describe how the project would meet the aims of this funding opportunity.
Who will benefit and how and why does it matter? How will you meet your specified aims and objectives?
You should also consider the longer-term sustainability of the proposed activities and the likely transformative effects of any outputs on the target audiences and user groups, or within an organisational or policy context. What do you envisage will happen after the end of the funding period?
Justification of resources
Maximum two pages.
CVs
A CV (maximum two pages) must be provided for every named researcher on the project.
Publications list
Summary lists of publications or research outputs should be attached as separate documents for each principal investigator and any co-investigators or named postdoctoral researchers. These should cover major publications or outputs in the last five years and should be no more than one side of A4 paper.
Brief articles, conference papers and so on need not be included. You should asterisk those of particular relevance to your current research proposal.
Project partners’ letters of support
Each project partner included in the Je-S form must provide a project partner letter of support, of no more than two sides of A4 or equivalent on headed paper or by email in exceptional circumstances.
The letter must be dated within three months before submission of the proposal.
Data management plan
All applications must include a data management plan.
Where this isn’t relevant for the proposed work you must still attach a data management plan and this should include a short explanation of why it is not relevant.
Workplan
Optional one-page attachment.
