Research Collaboration and Impact Funding Project Types
Policy Engagement:
The aim of this funding stream is to support researchers to link effectively with policy research priorities and opportunities, from the local to the international.
Projects can include, but are not limited to:
- Extending existing research activity;
- Facilitating the use of existing research and the exchange of knowledge between universities and policymakers;
- Activity aimed at improving the dialogue between universities and policymakers;
- Activity and training to better equip academics, including postgraduate researchers and early career researchers, to communicate effectively with policymakers;
- Partnerships and collaborations aimed at supporting evidence-based policy making;
- The exchange of people, e.g. staff secondments, contributing towards professional doctorates in policy
Eligibility:
Your project must:
- Support a public sector policy need
- Involve knowledge exchange with a non-academic policy partner
Funds available and duration:
There is no minimum value and up to £15,000 is available per project/initiative. Project duration is 3 months and must be completed with all expenses submitted by the end of July 2024.
Collaboration and knowledge exchange between Academic and Non-Academic Organisations:
The aim of this funding stream is to increase the interaction and exchange of knowledge with non-academic organisation (including companies, museums, charities, the general public and other bodies) to build relationships, enable ways of working together and grow research collaborations leading to collaborative funding and impact development. Knowledge exchange (KE) is a collaborative, creative process that facilitates a two-way exchange with stakeholders beyond the University. This includes a set of activities, processes and skills that enable close collaboration between universities and partner organisations to deliver, environmental, cultural, commercial or place-based benefits.
Please note - this includes public engagement in research where there is a 2-way exchange of knowledge.
Eligibility:
Your project must:
- Involve a two way exchange with stakeholders beyond the University (i.e. public talks are not eligible due to their one-way nature)
- Have the potential to grow research collaboration and impact.
Funds available and duration:
There is no minimum value and up to £15,000 is available per project/initiative. Project duration is 3 months and must be completed with all expenses submitted by the end of July 2024.
Early Stage Commercialisation:
Commercialisation is the process by which new or improved technologies, products, processes and services are brought to market.
The aim of this funding stream is three-fold:
- Create a strong pipeline of projects with market exploitation potential either through the creation of a spin-out, licensing of IP, consultancy and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
- Build and support a cohort of academics with the skills and knowledge in research commercialisation.
- Drive a step-change in the University’s entrepreneurial culture.
Projects can include but not limited to:
- Plans to manage and strengthen intellectual property;
- Better market or customer intelligence (e.g. undertaking or commissioning market assessments) ways to identify and engage with relevant businesses and R&D pilot studies.
Eligibility:
Your project must:
- Build on research outputs;
- Demonstrate market potential through early business engagement or sector insights.
Funds available and duration:
Up to £20,000 is available per project/initiative per annum. Project duration is 3 months and must be completed with all expenses submitted by the end of July 2024.
Impact Evaluation: Supporting the Collection of Evidence:
The aim of this funding stream is to support researchers in their collection of evidence of impact, as a means to evaluate their progress in preparation for potential case studies for any next Research Excellence Framework or REF.
Projects can include, but not limited to:
- Creating, distributing and evaluating surveys, both before and after engaged research is conducted (using online software and/or consumables);
- Specific impact evidence gathering, like chasing international sources, translations, etc.;
- Commissioning a consultant or other to create financial or formal report relating to the impact of research;
- Funds cannot be used for general research administrative time, but rather specific tasks related to the impacts of the engaged research.
Your project should result in:
- Testimonials by individual users/beneficiaries;
- Reports, reviews, web links or other documented sources of evidence of impact placed in the public domain;
- Confidential reports or documents relating to evidence of impact;
Funds available and duration:
Up to £5,000 is available per project/initiative. Project duration is 3 months and must be completed with all expenses submitted by the end of July 2024.