The CLASP 2022 application process takes part in two stages:
- submission of an outline proposal
- invited submission of a full proposal, if successful at stage one.
We strongly encourage you to read how we’ll assess proposals in stage two, detailed in ‘additional information’, before you apply for stage one.
Stage one questions
What follows is a copy of the sections and questions you’ll need to complete and answer for your stage one application on UKRI’s Funding Service. You cannot apply for stage one of this opportunity on Je-S.
Applicants will need to take the following steps to apply:
- select the ‘Start application’ button at the start of this page
- this will open the ‘Sign in’ page of UKRI’s Funding Service. If you do not already have an account, you’ll be able to create one. This is a two minute process requiring you to verify your email address and set a password
- start answering the questions detailed in this section of ‘how to apply.’ You can save your work and come back to it later
- once complete, use the service to send your application to your research office for review. They’ll check it and return it to you if it needs editing
- once happy, your research office will submit it to UKRI for assessment. Only they can do this.
Make sure you get any necessary approval from your organisation in advance and give your research office plenty of time before the closing date.
If you’re submitting a proposal as a joint application, then only the lead organisation should submit a proposal at this stage.
1. Details and summary
Application name
This should be the title of your proposed project.
Limited to 20 words.
Description of your research idea
Describe your idea and its relevance to CLASP 2022’s focus on Security and Environment. This is to give assessors an overview of your proposal.
You should also:
- provide a brief overview of the challenge you’re looking to address
- include an explanation of why your idea is different or an improvement to current technologies or processes
- mention co-applicants, contributors and other organisations who you plan to work with and underpinning science
- summarise how long it will take and how much it will cost.
Limited to 500 words.
2. Case for support
Provide a case to support your application for funding, using the following four subheadings. Make sure you include enough information for assessors to decide whether to invite you to stage two.
Provide a technical outline, including why your research idea is new or different
Explain the technical background of the project, its link with STFC funded research, and the degree of novelty or improvement, or both, over current technologies and processes. You’re encouraged to include any proof-of-concept data that has already been developed. Up to three images can be referenced and supplied in a single 8MB PDF file that also includes a Gantt chart.
Describe the impact your idea will have on the challenge areas of security and environment
Make clear the ultimate goal of the project and give details of the way in which development of this technology will address the societal challenge(s) identified.
You should:
- clearly explain the challenge, and how the proposed technology will help address it, compared to how it’s currently done
- describe the societal and economic impacts that the project is expected to deliver to those inside and outside of the consortium and the timescale for the deliverables
- describe the current technology available and give details of how this technology is an improvement
- describe the social and environmental benefit to the UK that will arise from the proposed work.
Provide a dissemination and implementation plan
Outline the route or potential route to exploitation in order to meet the impact target.
Include:
- further development and financing requirements if anticipated
- any regulatory alignments required
- the identification of end user beneficiaries
- the names of co-applicants who will make significant contributions to your research.
Provide a timescale, outline work plan and risks associated with the project
Together with a Gantt chart, detail the timescale of the project including what steps will be taken to develop the technology over its course. Include justification for any collaborations, any anticipated risks, and project partners also involved in the project. The Gantt chart must be provided in a single 8MB PDF file, which can also include up to three images to support.
Limited to 1,500 words.
3. Resources and costs
Provide details of your expected resources and costs, ensuring they accurately reflect the funding you’ll need. Reviewers will scrutinise them as part of their overall assessment of your application.
A degree of estimation is expected for some costs, such as consumables and travel, but carefully work out the other costs, like staff and equipment. We recommend that you work with your research office for this part of your application, as they’ll be familiar with the process. Make sure you leave enough time for them to review this section before submission.
Directly incurred costs arise as a direct consequence of your project taking place. They must be actual, auditable and supported by invoices.
Directly allocated costs are incurred whether the project takes place or not and are estimated at project level. For example, technician time and estates costs.
Indirect costs represent the costs of central and distributed services shared by other activities that are not project-specific. For example, human resources and IT.
Exceptions can include:
- travel and subsistence
- equipment
- biological costs
- charge-out facilities
- postgraduate students.
4. Justification of resources
Provide a commentary of how and where your costs will be incurred, and what they’ll be used for. Ensure you provide details of project partners and what they’re contributing. Any capital requests should also be stated.
Limited to 250 words.
5. Supporting organisations
Provide details of any relevant letters of support from end users and partners.
You’ll need to detail each partner organisations:
- organisation name
- registered office address or website address
- total amount of direct contributions, indicating the value in pounds. For example, cash, equipment, materials, seconding of staff or other direct contributions
- total amount of indirect contributions, indicating the value in pounds. For example, use of facilities, staff time and other indirect contributions.
In addition, you must upload a single 8MB PDF containing all relevant letters or emails (from a significant and responsible person) of support. Each letter or email should:
- confirm their commitment to the project
- clearly explain the value, relevance and possible benefits of the work to them
- describe any additional value that they bring to the project
- detail the nature and equivalent value of any in-kind contribution, and period of support
- detail the nature and value of any cash contribution, and period of support
- state whether they wish to claim minor costs, such as small consumables specific to the project.
