Knowledge Exchange Call Projects

NERC is pleased to invite applications to the Knowledge Exchange Call Projects (KE Call). The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Tuesday 26 March 2013. Please send Expressions of Interest to knowledge@nerc.ac.uk. The closing date for full proposals is 5 June 2013. It is anticipated that applicants will know the outcome of the Expression of Interest stage by the end of April.

NERC's intention is that projects will start in autumn 2013.

NERC is running the Follow-on Fund and Innovation B schemes in combination with the KE Call. All are designed to enable researchers to further develop the output from NERC funded research in order to deliver impact.

Follow-on Fund and Innovation B funding is aimed at supporting activity focused upon the commercialisation of research outputs. The KE Call funding is aimed at supporting activity focused upon increasing the uptake of research output by the users with little or no commercial return, but which will deliver impact.

The KE Call is a responsive rather than a directed scheme.

New changes to deliver greater impact

Changes reflect NERC's emphasis on delivering impact. In the case of the KE Call this is in the form of supporting the development of products, models, tools, etc that will have an identifiable impact. Networks and workshops, for example, will no longer be supported.

The following changes have been made since the last round:

An 'Expression of Interest' (EoI) stage has been introduced in an attempt to eliminate unsuitable proposals before applicants spend a lot of time on an unfundable submission; and to help applicants with potentially good ideas put in the strongest possible 'full' proposal. (Brief) feedback will be provided on both successful and unsuccessful EoIs.
A grant's maximum length will be twelve months.
A focus on projects that will benefit the UK, either financially or societally.
The science the work builds on must have been funded by NERC.
Applications will be considered in parallel with NERC's Follow-on Fund and Innovation B schemes (the Follow-on Fund is for commercial applications of NERC science; the Innovation B scheme is a Follow-on Fund equivalent for NERC's research centres).

Introduction and aims of the KE Call Projects

The KE Call aims to support the development of outputs, such as products, models, tools, etc, which have the potential to generate significant impact through meeting the needs of users but generate no commercial return. Applications with a likely commercial return should be submitted to the Follow-on Fund. The scheme is not intended for research activities.

More information and examples are in the guidance notes below.

Expression of Interest stage

From this round, NERC is introducing an 'Expression of Interest' (EoI) stage. Funding is limited, so the EoI stage is intended to eliminate unsuitable proposals before applicants spend a lot of time on an unfundable submission; and to help applicants with good ideas to write the strongest possible proposal. Only applications passing the EoI stage will be invited to make a full application.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is Tuesday 26 March 2013. It is anticipated that applicants will know the outcome of the Expression of Interest stage by the end of April. The closing date for full proposals is 5 June 2013.

Awards

Applications may not exceed £125k (£100k at 80% FEC).

Applications may not exceed twelve months.

NERC pays the standard proportion of full economic costs (see the Research Grants Handbook for full details).

Project partners

(See also guidance for project partners below).

The KE Call Projects scheme increasingly focuses on end-user involvement. At least one project partner is required, and each partner must provide a letter of support (a sample letter is available below; this was written for a previous version of the scheme, but the main points remain valid). Assessment panels have stressed the importance of the relationship between the academic lead and the project partners in their assessment of proposals.

KE Call projects have a primary focus on the UK. Applications for work with overseas partners, or where the impact will be overseas, will be accepted, but priority will be given to projects with a UK focus.

Eligibility / requirements

The KE Call is open to applicants based in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), NERC research centres and Independent Research Organisations (IROs) approved by NERC, providing that the science the work builds on was funded by NERC.

Private, public and third sector organisations or institutions are eligible as end-users in the KE Call. However, the stability of the organisation and, if appropriate, the commitment of funds (or in-kind contribution) should be guaranteed for the duration of the proposed activity.

Research council institutes and HEIs are not eligible as end-users.

Independent Research Organisations are eligible to apply as the research partner, or may act as a project partner if end-user status can be demonstrated.