BR-UK Commissioning Fund

We are now accepting applications to the Commissioning Fund.

Summary

Our £1.3 million Commissioning Fund supports exemplar projects to further build behavioural research capability across the UK. This funding is facilitating the development and adoption of new approaches and ways of thinking that align with BR-UK objectives to: 

  • Increase scientific understanding of behavioural research and its contribution to tackling global challenges
  • Advance the methods used in behavioural research in a range of contexts
  • Generate impact by employing co-production of research proposals and championing widespread use of behavioural data sets.

Our previous funding call allocated funding to three research proposals and seven accelerator awards.  

In this round, we are inviting early career researchers to apply for Accelerator Funding (up to £50,000 FEC per project) and we anticipate funding up to five projects. 

We particularly welcome applications from the devolved nations.

Research Purpose

Following a national capability scoping study conducted by BR-UK of behavioural researchers and research users across the UK, consultation with our International Scientific Advisory Board and funder, we previously identified broad methodological themes that we believe will advance the field and build further capability in behavioural research. 

In this funding call we are interested on applications centred on behavioural research focused on the environment and sustainability that can address one of the following themes: 

  1. Integration of knowledge across types of data, academic disciplines and sectors, involving methods that: triangulate different types of data; improve integration of knowledge across disciplinary ‘silos’; and advance how behaviours are measured.
  2. Explaining variations in effectiveness of behavioural interventions across contexts (e.g. types of populations, settings and behaviours). This will enable the accurate generalisation of research findings to specific contexts. 

Applicants are required to identify which of these themes their proposal intends to address. In doing so, researchers can choose to explore their chosen theme with reference to specific topics, settings or sectors. Proposals should address societal and economic challenges currently facing the UK. 

Eligibility

Applications must: 

  • Be led by a researcher at a recognised Research Organisation that is eligible to apply for and receive funding from UK Research and Innovation (such as higher education providers; research institutes; NHS bodies; Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs); Independent Research Organisations (IROs); research and technology organisations).
  • Have one named Project Lead based at the submitting institution and not based outside of the United Kingdom
  • Applications should be co-funded (cash or in-kind) by the applicant’s organisation or other partners.

Applications may have: 

  • Co-applicants from outside of the UK are permitted. 

Business, third or government sector applicants are welcome.  However, the following should be noted: 

  • Businesses must comply with the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022
  • Co-applicant costs must not exceed 30% of the total FEC request
  • Overheads and any other indirect costs are not eligible for inclusion.

Where an application includes co-investigators from UK business, third sector or government organisations, and/or international co-applicants that are not on the OECD DAC list, the combined costs of all co-investigators must not exceed 30% of the funding request. 

Who can apply?

Accelerator Applications should be led by early career researchers who are employed by an institution which is eligible to receive UKRI funding for the duration of the project. Those applying as a PI must have a contract of employment that covers the duration of the project.  

The research team should be composed of individuals at a range of career-stages with relevant experience, including lived experience wherever possible. Partnerships with academia, public bodies, voluntary sector and/or industry are encouraged.  

Please also note that applications will be required to include co-funding (cash or in-kind) for the project from their own, or other partner, organisations. [See Financial Aspects within the FAQ Section for more information].

Who cannot apply?

Accelerator Award Exclusions  

Applicants: Anyone who does not identify as an early career researcher (refer to FAQ for definition) and/or any ECR that has previously been awarded a grant (as the PI) of over £100,000. 

Resubmissions: We will not accept resubmissions of projects that have been previously submitted to UKRI or previous submissions to the BR-UK Commissioning Fund. 

NCBR Exclusions: Researchers who are in receipt of funding from the ESRC through the National Capability in Behavioural Research Investments at the time of the proposed research cannot apply to this fund. 

Before You Apply

Before you apply: discuss and agree with lead organisation

You must discuss your proposed project with the relevant people in the lead organisation before starting an application. The lead organisation must agree to host the project and provide all the support required to deliver the project. This normally includes providing 20% of the total costs, in line with standard ‘full economic costing’ methodology. Any additional submitting organisations would also be required to cover the 20% full economic costs (FEC).

The lead organisation checks the application and confirms that the applicants are eligible to receive UKRI funding. The people responsible for this varies depending on the organisation. You must share your application with your organisation with enough time to allow them to complete their checks and approvals before the closing date.

Read more about the roles and rules of UKRI Funding

How do I submit my application?

Please download the Word Version of the application form and complete this in its entirety before submitting, via email, to enquiries@br-uk.ac.uk. Please enable delivery receipts on your email.  You will receive a confirmation of submission within 1 working day.  

This article was published on