The ESRC Follow-on Funding Scheme provides follow-on funding to undertake additional knowledge transfer and impact generation activities that can demonstrate the potential for significant economic, social, policy and/or practice benefit(s).
Applications that seek to commercialise research and those from resources and methods research investments will also be eligible to apply. Applications must demonstrate links to the ESRC Strategic Plan 2009-14, its objectives and research challenges.
Features of the scheme
Aim
The scheme covers knowledge transfer and impact generation activities that might include: jointly planned and delivered projects with 'user'* partner showing wider benefits; interpretation and application of data for defined purposes; conferences and seminars for a policy/practice audience; practitioner-relevant publications; or co-funded Placement Fellowships. Eligible costs could include: Research Assistant's salary; T and S; equipment; conference organiser; supply of specialist staff eg science writer.
* A 'user' is defined as a non-academic stakeholder within public, private and third sector organisations who can apply research knowledge to policy or practice.
Funding available and duration
The Scheme offers Follow-on Funding awards of up to £100k (at 80 per cent fEC) for a maximum of 12 months through three closed calls in each year using the Je-S electronic application. This means that a maximum amount for all applications could be up to £125k with ESRC contributing up to £100k (which is 80 per cent of fEC).
Smaller packages of engagement activity up to £30k are also welcomed.
Co-funding and support is desirable, particularly from non-academic organisations and all costs must be broken down and justified in the application.
Eligibility
The fund is open to all social science researchers employed in UK Research Organisations approved by the ESRC as detailed in the UK Research Organisations eligible for Research Council Funding at the time and for the full duration for the grant.
Applicants are required to indicate research excellence and links with the previous research on which their application is based. Whilst matching support or co-funding from user partners is welcome, this is not a requirement. However, your application must demonstrate that a user partner has been involved in its formulation.
The scheme is open for both previous ESRC-funded research and also research funded from other sources. Previous ESRC-funded applicants or co-applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of impact generation as well as making the case for the significance of the impact to be generated should the application be funded.
Impact activities would normally be based on research completed no more than five years ago although applications beyond this period would be considered. Researchers can make an application during the lifetime of a current award, however no earlier than six months before the current award is due to complete.
Please Note:
ESRC-funded Research Centres are encouraged to apply for funding under this Scheme providing they can demonstrate that the potential exists for 'timely' impact generation for which funding has not already been allocated.
The Je-S system will not allow PhD students to submit an application to the scheme as a Principal Investigator or a Co-Investigator.
Re-submission
Re-submissions must be accompanied by a covering letter briefly explaining the reason for re-submission and the changes made to the original proposal.
Monitoring and evaluation
The Principal Investigator will provide a short update report every three months to the allocated Case Officer from the ESRC Knowledge Transfer Team. The End of Award report should be produced three months after the finishing date of the award. A further Impact Report should be produced by the Principal Investigator 12 months after the end of the grant to assess any longer term impacts.
Future calls and application form
- Second Call 2010/11: 1 June 2010 - 5 August 2010
- Third Call 2011/12: 5 November 2010 - 27 January 2011
All applications should be made via the Research Council Joint Electronic Submission System (Je-S) by 4.00pm on the closing date.
Details of successful awards
Additional information
Generic ESRC Guidance
Scheme Specific Guidance
Scheme queries and application process
We strongly advise applicants to read the detailed scheme guidance notes and FAQs before contacting the Knowledge Transfer Team with queries.