Where can I find call guidance? 

Call guidance is available on our website – with information on our funding streams and how to apply. All network members will be notified when funding calls are released via email.

How can I find a partner to work with? 

We have many partners who have agreed to work with UKFin+, who are listed here. We also post challenges from partners related to our Spotlights, where partner organisations are seeking collaborations with academics to work on projects. The current spotlight challenges are listed here.

Do I have to work with a partner who is already a member of UKFin+?  

No, you can apply to collaborate with any partner. Many HEIs have teams who provide support to engage with industry in their local or regional areas, and applicants are encouraged to seek their support at any early stage. The UKFin+ team is not able to find industry partners for potential applicants at the present time, although we do post challenges to our website (as noted and linked to above).

How can I prepare before the funding calls open? 

The best funding applications come from teams where there is mutual benefit from research that will deliver tangible benefits to the non-HEI partner aligned to their organisational aims, and where there is an effective working relationship. New collaborations are eligible to be funded and innovative ways of working are encouraged. All applications will need to evidence effective collaboration through a strong partner support letter that clearly articulates the mutual benefit, scope for the research to address their challenges and what the partner will offer.

Can I apply as an Early Career Researcher?

Yes, applications will be accepted for researchers at all career stages. The panel will expect to see mentoring arrangements appropriate to both the lead applicant’s career stage and experience of working in collaboration with non-HEI partners to deliver funded research.

How will funding decisions be made? 

Funding decisions will be taken by an expert panel, in line with the project’s statement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the published selection criteria. Click here for more information on selection criteria.

Can non-HEI partners directly apply for funding?

Applications must be led by an individual who is employed by an HEI or UKRI approved research organisation. Non-HEI partners are not eligible to lead an application nor can directly receive funds from out grants, as per EPSRC regulations.

What are the intellectual property arrangements for UKFin+ commissioned funding?

UKFin+ arrangements are modelled on Lambert template 4.  Background intellectual property, generated before the collaborative project came along, is owned by the party that generated it.  Intellectual property generated through the funded collaborative project is owned by the party that generates it.  Academic researchers have licence to use the resulting intellectual property for non-commercial research, publication and teaching purposes.  The UKFin+ Award Letter, including the detailed arrangement for intellectual property for funded projects, can be found on our ‘how to apply’ page towards the bottom under the application documents.

Can I use AI tools to generate content for my funding application to UKFin+

A UKFin+ follows the UKRI guidance at https://www.ukri.org/news/use-of-generative-ai-in-application-preparation-and-assessment/.  The UKFin+ team have found applications that clearly articulate the specific research aims, how these will be delivered within time and resources requested, the risks and RRI considerations, who will benefit, and how it will be shared, score the strongest against the funding criteria. Applicants generated with Generative AI and LLMs often lack in these details and don’t have specificity, and score much less strongly against the funding criteria. 

Any further questions? 

If you have any questions regarding the funding opportunities available from the UKFin+ network please contact [email protected].