The UKRI individual eligibility policy applies to STFC opportunities. It aims to make it simpler and fairer for people to apply for funding as both project and project co-leads.
Researcher co-applicant (‘researcher co-lead’ in Funding Service)
Postdoctoral research assistants who are not eligible to apply for a grant in their own right, but who merit appropriate recognition for making a significant contribution to developing the grant proposal or whose input is essential (or very important) to its successful outcome, may be identified as a researcher co-applicant.
Conditions they must meet
They must be providing a significant contribution to the project which could include, for example:
- a specialised skill set
- management of a major project or work package
- a significant input towards writing the proposal
They must be located at the same organisation as one of the investigators on the grant.
Their appointment must extend for at least the period of the grant.
Researcher co-investigator expectations
Expectation is that a researcher co-investigator will be working on the grant for at least 50% of their contracted hours, however, this is not a mandatory eligibility requirement.
Where this is not the case, further justification as to how the post will be significantly contributing towards the proposal and research should be provided.
A researcher co-applicant may not take over from the principal investigator (project lead).
The research organisation must notify STFC of any change in its status, or that of the applicants, that might affect the eligibility to hold a research grant.