Reasonable support costs may be claimed, where someone has a clear role in the research and is providing a definable % of their time to project support (e.g., a project manager, admin) such as supporting events, workshops, finance, etc.
Pre-registration is part of the Pump Priming programme for all intending bidders. The need and details required, to create a user account are captured at this time. TAS Hub Operations Team process setup of user accounts.
If you pre-register before the deadline, an account will be set up in line with opening of the bid submission window. If you pre-register later, please note it may take several days to set up your account. You are strongly urged to pre-register at least a week before the bid submission deadline so you can verify access and address any technical issues should they arise.
Multi-disciplinarity is is encouraged and considered at peer review. Review criteria include having at least two discipline involved. Those projects that were successful in the first pump priming call typically demonstrated more multi-disciplinarity.
This may involve collaborators in the proposal who would typically submit to different research councils, such as EPSRC and ESRC.
In line with UKRI regulations, collaborators from outside the UK may be involved. However, they cannot be a direct recipient of funding. In-kind support is permissible.
This is dependent on how you shape and focus the proposal. It is for the research team submitting the bid to determine.
You may pick more than one. It is important to to articulate the alignment to each grand challenge in the supporting text.
There is no limit
We look for a minimum of one industrial partner. For industrial partners who are contributing time in-kind, there is no limit. The limit on project funding is £200k. If there is an intention to subcontract any work through an industrial partner then it would be worth arranging a discussion with the TAS Hub management.
They meet the need for a minimum of one “industrial partner”. We will be providing the funds to you as a UKRI eligible funder. You have the option to subcontract some work through a partner that is to a certain extent up to you.
A TAS Hub or Node Co-I can be involved in Pump Priming projects but cannot be funded for their time on the project (since they are already funded by the Hub). A Co-I can support applications from members of their teams.
The programme is open to all UK research organisations. Those research organisations work with industry partners. The Hub is building our system to allow match-making between researchers and industry partners, based on their interests and areas of expertise. We will facilitate conversations if approached.
You don’t need to have a Co-I from the TAS Hub or Nodes on your project. It is not a must, but could be a plus if it makes sense and enhances the proposal. You should articulate engagement and collaboration with Hub and Node Co-Is in the proposal.
Engaging a Hub Co-I should not be seen as a box-ticking exercise. However, you are encouraged to speak to a named Hub Co-I during the development of your bid. They can be a contact point if the project is funded.
If you do engage a Hub or Node Co-I as an active member of the team, or a named Hub Co-I as a contact, please name them in the proposal form and ERPNext bid form as appropriate.
Here is the list of TAS Hub Co-Is
Here is the list of the Node Co-Is
References should be included within sections as relevant to the word count.
Grants will be funded at 80% of the stated FEC up to £200k per project. As per UKRI norms, the remaining 20% must be contributed by the institution submitting the proposal.
The total project cost (100% FEC) at the maximum funding can be up to £250,000.
The grant can support any directly incurred (DI) costs, such as research staff time, consumables and travel to the partners. Also, directly allocated (DA) costs, such as investigator time (excluding Hub and Node and Responsibility project Co-Is), and all associated staff overheads. Equipment costs over £10,000 are not permitted.
No indexation – that should be covered by the host institution.
TAS/Node/Responsibility Project Co-Is are not eligible for funding themselves. If not a Co-I on the TAS Hub or Nodes or Responsibility projects, some time can be charged to the proposal, but this needs to be realistic relative to the budget. Members of their teams such as PDRF’s are eligible for funding.
Only the lead contact who will submit the bid needs to pre-register.
The proforma documents don’t ask for this at this stage. They will be asked for it at the contractual stage.
Early Career Researcher is defined as being within 12 years of obtaining a PhD qualification. Appointment to an academic post is not a requirement, Senior Research Fellows, for example.
Only the completed proposal proforma template either as the native .docx or as .pdf. No other attachments.
For UKRI grants, researchers spending a significant portion of their time on a grant need to be fully costed, but those spending say 5% do not. However, if the Researcher/Co-I is a Hub/Node Co-I their time should be entered but the cost will be zero (as they are not eligible for funding).
The lead contact is the person who will submit the bid and be the point of contact for all correspondence and contractual matters.
Entrepreneurship, Exchanges, and Advocacy and Engagement projects should be valued between £50k and 150k – anywhere between the lower and upper limit. The emphasis on the lower limit of £50k is that the scheme is not intended for minor travel costs or A&E activities.
As TAS receives its funding via EPSRC the same regulations apply around open access publication.
Full details of the EPSRC position are here. It is expected that publications will be open access and costs borne by the researcher’s institution.
The TAS pool of reviewers draws on a number of sources, including the TAS Hub and Nodes, and the wider academic community. Please see our TAS reviewer guidelines document for further information There is also an expectation that by submitting a bid you become part of the TAS research community and will be part of the reviewer pool. This will include a requirement for training on RRI/EDI
An intern can be employed and costed to DI staff category.