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Research Engagement, Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Commercialisation Fund

Impact is part of the University’s culture and manifests itself in a myriad of ways.  The University receives external funding for knowledge exchange and research impact.  To best help and support our researchers, we have established a process for allocating these funds through the Research Engagement, Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Commercialisation Fund.  Funding is available to deliver engagement, KE and commercialisation with non-academic partners to maximise the impact of research, knowledge and skills on policy makers, practitioners, business, the public and the enhancement of student employability.  There are different project types you can apply for depending on the focus, this includes:

  • Policy Engagement - between academics and policymakers - £15,000 and 1 year maximum
  • Knowledge Exchange between academic and non-policy stakeholders / practitioners - £15,000 and 1 year maximum
  • Early Stage Commercialisation - £20,000 per year, projects funded for 1 year (with possible 1 year extension)
  • Impact Evaluation supporting the collection of evidence for impact case studies - £5,000 for 6 months
  • Strategic Projects - Department, Centre or Theme level KE or Business and Commercialisation projects, please discuss with the Director of Research Services in the first instance.

All five of the above project types use the same single application form.  Accordingly, there is individual guidance available for each funding stream by clicking on the links above.  If it is unclear which of the projects types are suitable for your project, please contact your Impact Development Manager or Business Relationship Manager in Research Services in the first instance. 

Strategic Projects would be expected to originate from a Research Dean, Head of School or senior member of Professional services.

If there is an urgent need for funding due to a time limited opportunity etc then please contact the Director of Research Services in the first instance for advice on how to proceed.

Please note - This new fund comes from existing money from Research England's Policy Support Fund and HEIF. This new single application process replaces any calls for Research England's Policy Support Fund and HEIF.

 

Key Information

Application form can be found here

Application Deadline: 28 April 2023. Remaining dates in 2023 TBC, but likely to be in September 2023.

 

General Eligibility

Funding will be open to all academic and research staff and all proposals must be led by a permanent member of academic staff. 

 

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include salaries (and on-costs) for research, technical and professional staff including secondments to and from partner organisations. Other eligible costs include consumables, facilities use, small items of equipment (under £10K) and expert consultancy e.g. for market assessment. Overheads are not eligible costs.  Staff costs should be estimated using a cost calculator which will be available within the application form.

Please note applicants are expected to adhere to the researcher concordat, particularly with regard to employing PDRAs on short-term contracts.

For strategic projects, applicants must first discuss with the Director of Research Services.

To prepare the costing for your project, please use the Cost Calculator here, which will help to prepare the numbers.

 

Assessment Criteria and Approvals

First, applications will be assessed for eligibility and appropriateness of the funding stream by a group of Research Services professionals.  All eligible proposals will then be sent to a panel consisting of members of Research Services, academics with engagement/policy/KE/innovation in research experience and a selection of Research Deans. 


Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • Strategic importance
  • Novelty and timeliness of proposed activities;
  • Quality, feasibility and appropriateness of approach;
  • Cost effectiveness and appropriate use of funds;
  • Potential for delivery of impact.

The recommended applications will go to the University Committee on Research and Innovation (UCRI) for final approval. There will be a maximum of 4 weeks between the application deadline and decision.

Applicants are required to obtain approval from their line manager to ensure ability to commit time to the project.


Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants will be assigned a member of professional Research Services staff to work with (with varying degrees of involvement depending on the nature of the activity).  A short report detailing activities, outcomes and next steps will be expected for submission 2 months after the activity ends.

 

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 not limited to:

  • New research activity working in partnership with policymakers, particularly to better understand local, regional or national challenges;
  • 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, joint PhDs, etc.

Eligibility

Your project must:

  • Support a public sector policy need
  • Involve knowledge exchange with a non-academic policy partner

Funds available and duration

Up to £15,000 is available per project/ initiative.  Project duration can be up to 1 year.

To discuss your idea further and support with your application please contact your Impact Development Manager.

 

Knowledge Exchange between academic and non-policy stakeholders / practitioners

Knowledge exchange (KE) is a collaborative, creative endeavour that facilitates a two-way exchange with stakeholders beyond the University.  KE includes a set of activities, processes and skills that enable close collaboration between universities and partner organisations to deliver commercial, environmental, cultural and place-based benefits.

The aim of this funding stream is to create a portfolio of projects to increase the KE with non-academic partners to grow research collaborations with non-academic partners leading to collaborative funding, commercialisation of research outputs and local and regional impact.


Eligibility

Your project must:

  • Involve a two way exchange with stakeholders beyond the University
  • Have the potential to grow research collaboration and impact

Funds available and duration

Up to £15,000 is available per project/ initiative.  Project duration can be up to 1 year.

To discuss your idea further and support with your application please contact your Business Relationship Manager (if business related) or Impact Development Manager (for all other projects).

 

Early Stage Commercialisation

Commercialisation is the process by which new or improved technologies, products, processes and services are brought to market.  The benefits of research commercialisation include generating impact, diversifying income and supporting entrepreneurial behaviour.

The aim of this funding stream is three-fold: (1) 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.  (2) Build and support a cohort of academics with the skills and knowledge in research commercialisation. (3) 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 can be up to 1 year with a possible 1 year funded extension dependant on progress in year 1 and plan for year 2.

To discuss your idea further and support with your application please contact your Business Relationship Manager.

 

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.


Examples of project outcomes could include:

  • 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 can be up to 6 months.

To discuss your idea further and support with your application please contact your Impact Development Manager.