EPSRC DecarboN8 Network Plus Launches First Seedcorn Funding Call
DecarboN8 is an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded ‘Network Plus’ that brings together researchers, industry and government to design solutions that can be deployed rapidly and at scale to achieve decarbonisation of the transport sector.
DecarboN8 has now launched a seedcorn call as its first funding opportunity. The call will fund projects lasting up to six months that could realistically lead to larger funding applications to the Research Councils, InnovateUK, or other sources. DecarboN8 is particularly keen to encourage new inter and multi-disciplinary collaborations and to support the development of Early Career Researchers in this area.
Applications are encouraged for activities such as:
Exploratory research studies.
Secondary data analysis.
Comparative case study research.
Inter-disciplinary activities such as workshops.
DecarboN8 welcomes applications from teams from across the UK and particularly those that utilise a place-based approach: reflecting the diversity of people, places and journeys, currently under-served by the dominant focus on city-centres and commuter travel. Applicants should note that DecarboN8’s focus is on developing the North of England as a learning environment for carbon and transport research, so proposals must support this goal.
Interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, participatory and collaborative proposals are welcome, and applications from all disciplines will be accepted. Collaborations with industry, local authorities and community groups are strongly encouraged.
All projects must be led by an academic at a UKRI-registered UK Research Organisation.
At least half of the funded projects will be led by early career researchers (ECRs). DecarboN8 defines an early career researcher as any academic who has been awarded a PhD but has not yet held a research grant of £100,000 (at 100% fEC) or more. Applications are encouraged for projects led by ECRs from groups that are underrepresented in transport and climate related disciplines (ie women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities).
A total of £100,000 (£80,000 at 80% fEC) is available. It is anticipated that this total will be shared between a number of smaller research projects. Funding may be used to cover any research related activity. Travel and Subsistence costs essential to Project Partner participation in the project may be requested.
Two further funding calls will be run in 2020 and 2021, where a further £300,000 (£240,000 at 80% fEC) will be available.
Interested applicants should download and complete an application form. The form should be submitted by the Thursday 27 February 2020 (17:00) deadline.
Decisions will be announced on 9 March 2020, with projects starting no earlier than 1 April 2020.
More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.