Council transition to the new Funding Service

In 2023, all research councils will transition from the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system to the Funding Service. This means that all applicants, grant holders, research support staff, reviewers and panel members must start using the new Funding Service.

The Simpler and Better Funding (SBF) programme is currently working with all councils to carry out this transition and roll out opportunities on the new service.

Find out more about the SBF programme and the new Funding Service.

Council timelines for transitioning to the Funding Service

Councils are committed to giving researchers and research organisations the information they need to plan in good time for the transition to the Funding Service, including timelines for closing opportunities in Je-S and reopening them on the Funding Service.

Find out more about each council’s transition plans and the associated changes to their responsive mode funding opportunities:

These timelines may change because the Funding Service is being developed in an iterative way, which means new functionality and features will be introduced and refined over the course of 2023 and beyond.

Supporting you through the transition

The transition process will affect opportunities for different councils in different ways. We are dedicated to an equitable and robust application process. We will continue to support researchers and research organisations, providing them with the information they need to plan for the transition to the Funding Service.

When transitioning opportunities, councils will uphold the commitments laid out in their strategic delivery plans and seek to minimise disruption for applicants. This includes their commitment to providing the research community with increased forward notice for opportunities which remain open for longer periods of time.

Applications to responsive mode opportunities are changing

The overall processes and principles of responsive mode opportunities are remaining the same, although interactions between applicants and assessors and UKRI through the Funding Service will be a different experience.

Responsive mode opportunities will use a core application question set and assessment criteria.

For more information on ways the application experience is changing, see how applicants use the UKRI Funding Service.

Always open opportunities: close on Je-S, reopen on the Funding Service

Some responsive mode opportunities are open-ended, without a closing date for applications. These opportunities will need to close on the Je-S system and reopen on the new Funding Service in a planned transition during the first half of 2023. Closing dates will be advertised at least eight weeks in advance.

When we close an open opportunity on Je-S, we will not transfer any applications which are incomplete. This means that if you have not submitted your application in Je-S before the opportunity has closed we will need you to make a fresh application on the Funding Service.

Once the opportunity closes in Je-S you will no longer be able to submit applications on Je-S. However, you will be able to see or download your draft applications if you wish.

Councils that run open responsive mode opportunities (AHRC, ESRC and EPSRC) are planning how best to approach this transition to minimise disruption to users.

Responsive mode opportunities with closing dates: applicants will see future rounds open on the Funding Service

Some responsive mode opportunities have regular closing and opening dates throughout the year. At a planned point, each one will close on Je-S as normal but then open their next round on the Funding Service.

Applicants to opportunities from all research councils are likely to see these changes.

UKRI cross research council responsive mode pilot

The UKRI cross research council responsive mode pilot opportunity has been announced.

This will support breakthrough or disruptive interdisciplinary ideas which might not be routinely funded through existing UKRI responsive mode schemes. It is a new and distinct opportunity from the responsive mode opportunities described above.

The outline stage for the first round of this opportunity will use Je-S. We expect the full stage to use the Funding Service.

Last updated: 28 April 2023