Department of CS newsletter

The MRC guidance for applicants and Fellowship handbook for applicants has been refreshed in light of UKRI’s transition over to the UKRI Funding Service (TFS). The MRC guidance for applicants has been split into three HTML web pages including Application and policy guide for UKRI funding service, guidance for applicants involving animals and guidance on ethics and approvals. Each guidance page can be downloaded and saved as a PDF for offline working.  We would encourage you to visit the online guidance regularly to ensure you are up to date with the latest guidance and policy.

You can still find a PDF version of the previous Je-S guidance for the small number of opportunities yet to transition over to the new service.  The guidance should be read alongside the guidance published within each individual funding opportunity on the UKRI Funding Finder.

If you have any queries about the guidance documents, please contact RFPD@mrc.ukri.org.

Revised MRC data sharing policy

The MRC data sharing policy has been revised to reflect changes in open access research policies, data law, and to incorporate a wider definition of ‘research data’. In particular, the policy emphasises a requirement for all applicants to consider and outline data sharing activities when applying for MRC funding. The policy and accompanying guidance were developed after consultation, including with a wide range of biomedical researchers, and other research bodies. The MRC data management plan template has also been updated to align with the revised policy and the UKRI principles and guidance on trusted research and innovation. The documents will be reviewed and revised regularly based on feedback received and evolving community standards, as well as ongoing discussions to develop a pan-UKRI data sharing policy.

For more information, as well as new guidance, check out our website. The policy, guidance and templates apply to all applications for MRC funding opportunities launched from 1 April 2024.

We welcome enquiries and further feedback about this change via email to mrcdatasharing@mrc.ukri.org

Deadline: 24-Jul-2024 

The Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) is a combination of grants awarded to UoM. IAA funding supports the research and innovation ecosystem to develop wider impacts from research through fast and flexible funding for knowledge exchange activities. IAA grants are available to academics at UoM from AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC and STFC.  

The UoM Knowledge Exchange Partnerships Team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, has renamed and updated the three core IAA mechanisms to introduce more flexibility in impact delivery.

Further information on the new schemes is available in our IAA Scope Guide. We are pleased to announce the seventh Call for Proposals under the following mechanisms: 

Starter (up to £10,000) 

Fostering new relationships and initiation of small impact projects between external partners and academic researchers, creating opportunities for longer-term collaboration and exchange of knowledge and skills. 

·         Deadline: Open Call
·         Download the Application form 
·         Download the Quick guide 

 

Pilot (up to £30,000) 

Flexible support for the very early stage of transforming research outputs into impactful opportunities, in collaboration with an external partner, through support for the development of an early evaluation prototype, initial trials, scoping exercises and feasibility studies. 

·         Deadline: 24^th July 2024
·         Download the Application form 
·         Download the Quick guide 

 

Advance (up to £60,000) 

Flexible support for collaboration between the University and external organisations to focus on the creation and development of impactful outcomes. This scheme also helps us to extend the culture and skills for business engagement, knowledge exchange and innovation at the University. In/out Secondments during the project are encouraged but not mandatory. 

·         Deadline: 24^th July 2024 
·         Download the Application form 
·         Download the Quick guide 

 

Eligibility 

IAA projects are no longer required to be directly related to previous funded research, but must fall within the remit and priorities of one or more of the relevant Research Councils: AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, STFC 

Multidisciplinary projects may be jointly funded by more than one research council as appropriate. 

Eligible collaborators are UK-based businesses (including UK sites of international businesses), UK charities, and UK public sector organisations such as the NHS. Non-UK based businesses may be eligible where there is demonstrable evidence of the intention for inward investment during or beyond the lifetime of the project (e.g. establishing a UK site, job creation). If you have any queries regarding user organisation eligibility, please contact the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships Team. 

 

Do you have a potential project?   

The Knowledge Exchange Partnerships Team provide active support for the development of IAA submissions. You are strongly advised to contact us via kepartnerships@manchester.ac.uk at least 1 month before the call closing date on the 24^th July 2024. 

Deadline: 14-Jun-2024

https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/responsible-ai-uk-skills-programme/

Apply for up to £100k funding to develop open educational resources for the training of artificial intelligence (AI) developers, users, managers, the public and other stakeholders. We are particularly interested in supporting diverse, multidisciplinary teams that will co-create resources with businesses, government, the education sector and the public. Successful applicants will be expected to collaborate with the wider RAI UK skills programme. Learn about the RAI UK programme.

Proposals may include research into the creation of resources, responding to responsible AI skills critical challenges, including issues related to upskilling, reskilling, pedagogy, or educational delivery. Successful projects must begin by 1 September 2024 and last six to 12 months.