EPSRC IAA Partnership Development Call
The EPSRC IAA Partnership Development call is now closed.
If you have any questions, please contact EPSRC IAA
This funding is available for research-active staff at University of Edinburgh to support activities that develop external partner relationships that credibly can become long term, multidisciplinary and large-scale partnerships.
APPLICATION PROCESS
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Mandatory Expression of Interest: 14 July
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Deadline for full applications: 1 September at 12 noon
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Review panel meeting: by end of September
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Application outcomes: expected within two weeks of Review Panel meeting
Q&A sessions will be organised in early August after the deadline for Expressions of Interest.
SCOPE OF THE CALL
Overarching themes for the proposal must fall within an EPSRC theme: https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/remit-programmes-and-priorities/our-research-portfolio-and-priorities/. The EPSRC IAA is committed to equality of opportunity for all applicants at all career stages in line with the University’s long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Suitable partners are characterised by:
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Having the ability to invest significant new sums into University activity (£m scale cash and in-kind), including via access to their supply chains and clients
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The ability and willingness to work in partnership to attract further significant investment (through for example, influencing Government and joint bidding)
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Deriving long-term value and synergy from a close strategic relationship with the University
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A need or identified opportunity and willingness to work across College/University disciplines
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Could credibly build the University partnership into their long-term ambition and strategy
TYPES OF APPLICATIONS
Fundable activities that can be included in the application to support the development and strengthening of the relationship are as follows:
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Workshops and events to develop propositions, joint plans and strategies
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Outward and inward secondments
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Collaborative research projects.
Please download full call guidelines and application documents below.
The funds are managed by Edinburgh Innovations on behalf of the College of Science & Engineering.
Please contact the EPSRC IAA team EPSRCIAA@ei.ed.ac.uk for any questions.
Call guidance and documents.
Success stories
EPSRC IAA funds can help create an impact by engaging with industry partners. View successful EPSRC IAA-funded projects to understand how the funds can be used to accelerate and amplify the impact of EPSRC-funded research. Read about an EPSRC IAA Partnership Development project that paved the way for a £8.7m Prosperity Partnership collaboration with global pharmaceutical manufacturer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
Frequently Asked Questions about EPSRC IAA Impact Funding
What funds are available and what is a reasonable project size?
The funds available are limited, but any reasonable cost will be considered. A breakdown of the costs and a forecast of the spend should be part of your application. All projects must be completed by 31 March 2024 at the latest. Costs can include PDRA time, PI time, meetings, consumables and travel (further details are available in the rules and guideline documents). There is up to £100K available per partnership development proposal.
Do I need formal letters of support from the partner organisation?
We encourage applicants to include a letter of support or email statement from the industry partner when submitting their application to demonstrate commitment; however, this is not a strict requirement. If the application is successful in order to progress, a letter of support or email statement will then be required.
Could it be a joint project with another University and a UK company?
Yes, although IAA funds would not be able to support the HEI partnership involvement.
Can the company costs be paid for from the IAA funds?
No. The IAA funds have been awarded by the Research Councils as a grant so usual rules apply to how funds can be spent.
Are there any restrictions regarding where the collaborating company is based? Must they be from the UK?
There are no geographical restrictions for the company location, however, it must be clearly demonstrated how the impact will be felt in the UK, so UK companies are often more appropriate. This typically means the collaborating company should have a UK R&D presence. The anticipated impact must be seen in the UK.
Are there any restrictions regarding previous interactions with the company, do the projects have to be with new companies?
Projects can be with companies that the University have previously worked with, with a view to maturing a relationship, or can be new relationships.
What are the rules around the originating EPSRC grant?
Applications must sit to at least 50% within the remit and aims of EPSRC. Check the remit of EPSRC here. There is no longer a requirement to demonstrate a link to a previous EPSRC grant.
Learn more about EPSRC research areas.
Why not apply for the Harmonised IAA funding call?
New funding is available for impact or translational projects between £20k to £60k, for up to 12 months, that include at least two researchers representing separate council remits (BBSRC, EPSRC, MRC/ Wellcome Trust).