Funding for impact is available for AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC remit projects
The all-council rapid response IAA call is now open to support a wide range of activities when researchers are confronted by time-sensitive opportunities or need to test new ideas quickly.
Awards: up to £15,000 per application
Project start date: 12 January 2023-18 October 2024
Project duration: up to three months
Deadline for applications: 4 September 2024 at 16:00
Who can apply? Funding is open to Principal Investigators employed by the collegiate University with project proposals within the AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC and MRC remits. Please note that previous/current UKRI funding is NOT a requirement. Applications from ECRs with PIs as co-applicants are encouraged.
What activities can be funded? Funding can support multidisciplinary working within the University and/or engagement of partners, including research organisations, industry and public or third sector organisations that do not hold an IAA. Funds can be used for a wide range of activities, including but not limited to:
Participation in upcoming time-sensitive policy workshops and select committees;
Market research, business planning (e.g., to apply for the next Follow up fund call, to support commercialisation in a competitive space);
Engaging with non-academic partners and end users through workshops/ demonstrations to enable impact (e.g., prototype/process/tool refinement etc.), taking advantage of another event happening or in response to a time-sensitive problem;
Engaging with end users or policy makers in response to an outbreak of a crop or animal disease;
Multidisciplinary projects.
The nature of rapid response projects can vary by discipline and impact objectives. Proposals could include, for example, feasibility studies to test new ideas for potential further collaboration with external organisations which could lead to long-term partnerships, supporting innovation and enabling ‘fast failure’, pump-priming or the commissioning of external specialist advice and consultancy for market research, business planning, technology commercialisation or health economic modelling. In addition, the fund can support channels for engaging end-users through public engagement activities such as exhibitions or work with schools.
How to apply
To apply, visit the All-council rapid response IAA webpage for guidance, an expression of interest form and terms and conditions. If you have any queries, please contact Stephanie Swain (iaa@admin.cam.ac.uk) or Carmen Fernandez-Posada and Lauren Maggs, the new Bioscience Impact Facilitators in the Bioscience Impact Team. Please also contact us if you have a potential project which does not fit the timescale or budget for this call, as there may be future funding opportunities.