Apply for funding

Up to £50k for a single application.

There is some flexibility and you should contact the IAA Manager to discuss your requirements.

Ongoing

Starting with our EPSRC IAA, our approach has changed to an open call for applications throughout the year, and consideration for cross-council funding, if an appropriate Co-I is presented. These changes aim to make funding accessible and inclusive to more academics, encourage more multi-disciplinary initiatives, be responsive, and enable applications when it is most appropriate and beneficial to both the research group and external collaborator.

An academic can apply for funding to support any activity to exploit or help generate impact from outcomes associated with an EPSRC supported field of research.

There is no restriction on type or format of a project, but basic criteria must be demonstrated and are assessed before funding approved.

Examples of project types considered include:

• Proof-of-concept
• Detailed market assessment
• Exploitation projects, industrial / public engagement
• Access to equipment and expertise
• Cross-sector collaboration (e.g. engineering <> medical)
• Applying research from one sector to an application in another
• Ring-fencing intellectual property that could be protected and commercialised.

• Proposal must be linked to research within the EPSRC funded portfolio
• IAA funds must be spent within the EPSRC terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within further calls. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Be prepared to report on the project progress and outcomes
• Complete a mandatory post-project feedback form
• Assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from research (e.g. case studies).

• The long-term impact must be articulated and the role that this project will play in achieving it
• Plan to continue the exploitation after the end of the IAA funding
• Project plan that demonstrates both milestones and deliverables within a defined timescale
• Full justification of resources given and explanation of the split between IAA and external support
• Public or private sector partner who is prepared to contribute towards the costs project (in cash or in-kind)*.

1. Contact the IAA Manager to discuss your application
2. Self register and complete the online application form by adding a new disclosure, and selecting EPSRC IAA Application from the drop down list
3. Request financial costings from research-support@surrey.ac.uk via the Intention to Bid process
4. Consider any ethics requirements by completing SAGE-AR (animal) or going on the ethics review management platform (human)
5. Submit a draft at least 1 week before the application deadline for review with the IAA manager
6. Submit your final application.

• Post-graduate and early career researchers associated with EPSRC research to be placed in industry or for industry researchers to be placed in the University
• To transfer knowledge and skills, and gain industrial experience.

• Proposal must be linked to research within the EPSRC funded portfolio
• IAA funds must be spent within the EPSRC terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within further calls. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Be prepared to report on the placement outcomes, and assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from the placement (e.g. case studies).

• The PhD/ECR must already be eligible to work within the UK for the full duration of any placement
• Articulate the impact and knowledge exchange resulting from the placement.

Assistance and funding is provided to help researchers identify and engage with commercial partners to stimulate more relationships and active collaborations.

Examples of engagement activities include:

• Attending trade shows and industry events
• Industry visits
• Support for initial external stakeholder engagement.

• Proposal must be linked to research within the EPSRC funded portfolio
• IAA funds must be spent within the EPSRC terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within further calls. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Be prepared to report on the engagement outcomes, and assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from the engagement (e.g. case studies).

• Articulate the impact and knowledge exchange resulting from the activity.

• Contact the IAA Manager to discuss your application.

There is no restriction on type or format of a project, but basic criteria must be demonstrated and are assessed before funding approved. Examples of project types considered include:

• Preliminary or feasibility studies, which progress an idea, concept or invention arising from existing research
• Cross-disciplinary or cross-sector collaboration
• Applying research from one discipline or sector to an application in another
• Market assessment projects
• Generate sufficient preliminary data so we can decide together the best next steps to seek more substantial follow-on funding
• Activities to support the development of industry collaborations including:
  • People exchanges at all levels and in either direction (industry to academia, and/or academia to industry)
  • Showcase or workshop events
  • Co-funding collaborative projects with industry partners
  • Access to equipment and expertise.

• Proposal must be linked to research within MRC’s remit area
• IAA funds must be spent within the MRC’s terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within others’ projects. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Be prepared to report on your project progress and outcomes at regular intervals
• Complete a mandatory post-project feedback form
• Assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from research (e.g. REF2029 case studies).

• The long-term impact must be articulated and the role that this project will play in achieving it
• Plan to continue the exploitation after the end of the IAA funding
• Project plan that demonstrates both milestones and deliverables within a defined timescale
• Full justification of resources given and explanation of the split between IAA funding and any other financial support e.g. from external collaborators
• Projects involving external industry and leveraged funding are highly desirable.

The funding is not intended to support:

• Entire translational projects – applicants seeking funding for entire projects are directed to the MRC’s DPFS scheme
• Administration costs
• Industrial partner costs
• Staff between posts/funding (i.e. as “bridging” funds), or PhD studentships
• Continuation of normal research grants
• Costs related to protection of intellectual property (registering and maintaining patents or property rights)
• Staff exchange into a spin-out company of the host institution.

1. Contact the IAA Manager to discuss your application
2. Self register and complete the online application form  in the Inventor Portal by adding a new disclosure, and selecting MRC IAA Application from the drop down list
3. Request financial costings from research-support@surrey.ac.uk by opening a new project in Worktribe. Read guidance on how to use Worktribe
4. Consider any ethics requirements by completing SAGE-AR (animal) or going on the ethics review management platform (human)
5. Submit your final application. This will be picked up by the IAA Manager, who will review the application at the next PMB meeting, aided by a cross-disciplinary panel of reviewers.

An academic can apply for funding to support any activity to exploit or help generate impact from outcomes associated with an STFC supported field of research. 

There is no restriction on type or format of a project, but basic criteria must be demonstrated and are assessed before funding approved.

Examples of project types considered include:

• Proof-of-concept
• Detailed market assessment
• Exploitation projects, industrial / public engagement
• Access to equipment and expertise
• Cross-sector collaboration (e.g. engineering <> medical)
• Applying research from one sector to an application in another.

• Proposal must be linked to research within the STFC funded portfolio
• IAA funds must be spent within the STFC terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within further calls. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Project must be completed by the TBC. Extensions will not be possible
• Be prepared to report on the project progress and outcomes
• Complete a mandatory post-project feedback form
• Assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from research (e.g. case studies).

• The long-term impact must be articulated and the role that this project will play in achieving it
• Plan to continue the exploitation after the end of the IAA funding
• Project plan that demonstrates both milestones and deliverables within a defined timescale
• Full justification of resources given and explanation of the split between IAA and external support
• Public or private sector partner who is prepared to contribute towards the costs project (in cash or in-kind)*.

1. Contact the IAA Manager to discuss your application
2. Self register and complete the online application form by adding a new disclosure, and selecting STFC IAA Application from the drop down list
3. Request financial costings from research-support@surrey.ac.uk via the Intention to Bid process.  Attach the resulting ARCP report to you application form.
4. Consider any ethics requirements by completing SAGE-AR (animal) or going on the ethics review management platform (human)
5. Submit a draft at least 1 week before the application deadline for review with the IAA Manager
6. Submit your final application.

Assistance and funding is provided to help researchers identify and engage with commercial partners to stimulate more relationships and active collaborations.

Examples of engagement activities include:

• Attending trade shows and industry events
• Industry visits
• Support for initial external stakeholder engagement.

• Proposal must be linked to research within the STFC funded portfolio
• IAA funds must be spent within the STFC terms and conditions meaning any unaccounted costs or underspends will be returned to the IAA budget for use within further calls. The IAA does not commit to cover any overspend and any potential overspend that arises will be the responsibility of the department
• Engagement must be completed by the TBC. Extensions will not be possible
• Be prepared to report on the engagement outcomes, and assist in publicity to demonstrate the generation of impact from the engagement (e.g. case studies).