Full applications should closely match the original outline application in terms of the activities proposed and partnerships. In costing the full application, careful consideration should be given to the value for money of the proposed activities. The scope detailed at the outline stage can be found in the Additional Information section.
As noted at the outline application, projects funded through this funding opportunity must be predominantly in EPSRC remit. Full applications not meeting this requirement in the judgement of EPSRC staff will be rejected without recourse to assessment stages.
Demand management
Demand management is being applied to this funding opportunity. Further details are provided in the ‘Additional information’ section
Aim
The industrialised world continues to produce and consume unsustainable levels of resources. Extending the life of existing structures, products, components and materials, as well as prioritising approaches which maximise use, much more effectively reduces environmental impacts and increases the sustainability of the product supply systems.
To deliver a more resilient and regenerative economy, we need to consider new and innovative approaches, as well as revisit or refine current approaches and methodologies (or both) to move towards a sustainable circular economy in a positive way.
This is a funding opportunity funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and delivered by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
It now aims to fund two NetworkPlus investments to build collaboration and knowledge exchange across research and stakeholder communities within two specific challenge areas, namely data and metrics, and textiles. The Plus aspect of the networks is a strong component of the fund and is explained in more detail within the Flexible fund and Expectations of a NetworkPlus sections.
The NetworkPlus will:
- create visible, collaborative, innovative and interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary UK circular economy communities
- foster an inclusive research environment that establishes a safe space to test new ways of working where failure is permitted and can be exploited to inform alternative approaches
- bring focus and drive progress to the challenge areas, identify research challenges, opportunities and priorities
- improve knowledge exchange
- facilitate impact and advance circular economy policy
- support the translation of circularity research via an allocation of the flexible funds
- support initial testing of early-stage ideas in real world settings (feasibility studies) via demonstrators
- kick-start new collaborations between sectors, including via seed-corn funding
- grow the areas of circular economy research for the benefit of the UK
- provide early-stage support for progressing research outputs towards the next stages in creation of real-world innovation and impact
- lower barriers for engagement of non-academic stakeholders
- grow capacity for and dissemination of good practice in circular economy. For example, responsible research innovation, trusted research and innovation, ethics, research culture, and equality, diversity and inclusion
The networks will lead to step changes in circular solutions which maximise value and are currently under-explored, such as retrofit, repurpose, refurbish, repair, and synthesise these solutions together with others such as reuse. We have defined these terms for this funding opportunity. Please see the Additional information section for more information.
NetworkPlus investments will be aligned across a range of UK government circular economy (CE) priority sectors, namely a focused investment on textiles, and second aligning with six key sectors needed to develop circular economy pathways (see scope for more details).
Each Network is expected to imaginatively deliver a ‘Plus’ element comprising of three streams, namely seed-corn funding, demonstrators/feasibility studies, and research to innovation or translational research, delivered through management of a flexible fund. Through the flexible funds associated with the NetworkPlus there should be a focus on gaps in research to innovation or translational research in underexplored topic areas.
We expect the Networks to drive progress, support high quality collaborative research and establish themselves as leaders in these areas. Networks should do this by implementing a collaborative and interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approach (or both). They must bring together diverse communities spanning academia, industry, policy, and others with expertise in related areas, such as behavioural science, innovation and circular business models, from across the UK. The inclusion of industrial partners is mandatory and a crucial aspect of the network.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to form and establish long-lasting partnerships in local governance/with individuals in policy, and with third sector community groups.
We expect you to embrace good practices of team research and value creation. Specifically, that you value a range of contributions from across the research and innovation community ensuring all necessary disciplines, skills, levels of experience and career pathways are brought together to address specific research opportunities.
Collectively and longer term, this will lead to the development of a circular economy in priority sectors and bring together research and innovation communities.
Within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), EPSRC has played a significant role in promoting circular economy research, for example the National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research (NICER) programme, the recent EPSRC-Defra funding opportunities focused on advanced recycling, and circular economy critical mass programmes.
An opportunity focused on the circular solutions that maximise value and extend life of structures, products, components and materials, will directly deliver against EPSRC priorities and the UK government’s manifesto commitment to drive the transition to a circular economy, and government’s long term environment targets, for example, net zero and eliminating avoidable waste by 2050. This work will support us to deliver whole systems solutions to reduce resource use and pollution and deliver a sustainable low carbon future.
Scope
To date, most research enhancing circularity within our linear system has been focused solely on recycling of materials and products. Despite being a good first step, these measures can be resource-intensive. They risk locking the UK into unsustainable patterns of overproduction, excessive consumption and resource scarcity, causing negative environmental, social, and economic consequences.
The networks and flexible funding opportunities should focus on circular solutions which maximise value and extend life, such as repair and system redesign. It is understood that research can, and is encouraged to reach many areas across the entire value chain from extraction to before the end of life. This will collectively deliver a more resilient and regenerative economy.
Within the networks, we expect proactive engagement with identified stakeholders to promote better understanding of circular economy.
Successful applications should demonstrate pathways for lasting legacy beyond the duration of the award through partnerships and engagement strategies.
Challenge areas
The government is committed to reducing the negative impact of resources, reducing waste, and improving social outcomes by transitioning towards a circular economy. To support the government in achieving this goal, it convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help map the transition. Government intends to publish a Circular Economy Growth Plan soon. The plan will set out opportunities to support growth in sectors right across the economy, including agri-food, built environment, chemicals and plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, and transport.
By aligning with priority sectors and adopting high value circularity measures the UK can transition from a linear economy to a circular one that aims to support economic growth, deliver green jobs, promote efficient and productive use of resources, minimise negative environmental impacts and accelerate to net zero.
This funding opportunity now has two challenge areas. One area aligns directly with an identified priority sector (textiles), and one is sector agnostic. This will focus on the cross-cutting challenge of data and metrics.
The network challenge areas have been chosen based on analysis of past and current funding opportunities provided by UKRI and Defra to identify research areas which are underrepresented and warrant further exploration. Your application should have a primary focus on one of the proposed challenge areas. Please identify which challenge area you are applying for in your application.
Textiles
For the purpose of this NetworkPlus funding opportunity, we are defining textiles as encompassing the entire value chain including:
- clothing
- fibres
- furniture, for example (for example, carpets and underlays)
- household textiles (for example, towels, bedding, pillows, duvets and mattresses)
- specialised uniform. Those with chemical components for PPE requirements can be included
- technical textiles, or where it is a significant value contributor to the final product (for example, automotive)
We would like to see example outcomes such as:
- approaches to product design and designing textiles for circularity (for example, durability and repair) reducing overall environmental impact (combined approach of reducing carbon footprint of materials or products and reduced flow of materials)
- development of novel advanced manufacturing techniques to produce circular textiles, or refinement of current techniques (method validation studies)
- evidence or pilots that shift consumer and business behaviour towards circular practices (for example, reuse, leasing models, rental and product-as-a-service)
- collaboration across the value chain to test enablers of circularity
- ways to make collection and sorting of textiles more effective to retain value of products through secondary markets and extending lifespan of products
- system thinking approaches to textiles within a future circular economy
Data and metrics
The data and metrics challenge area should be a cross-sector network advancing the circular economy through coordinated data sharing and the development of robust metrics, indicators, and frameworks to enable, measure, and accelerate progress across any of the six priority sectors (agri-food, built environment, chemicals and plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, textiles, and transport).
The network should coordinate data sharing to advance the development and application of robust data, indicators, and frameworks to enable, measure, and accelerate the circular economy. We are particularly interested in:
- developing and integrating usable circularity metrics and indicators that quantify environmental, social, technical, and economic performance across spatial and temporal scales, including indicators for behaviour change, business adaptation and growth in circular economy activities
- pulling together data approaches to generate system-level insights into circular flows
- tracking progress across the circular solutions which maximise value and extend life
- establishing standards, protocols and frameworks to support interoperability, material traceability and ethical data governance
- enabling the business use of circular economy data, including the use of circular economy business models, and strategies for businesses and digital infrastructure to support decision-making and innovation
Projects should aim to generate robust, scalable, and policy-relevant evidence to support circular economy transitions. Interdisciplinary approaches and engagement with real-world data contexts are strongly encouraged.
We encourage you to consider the following with the vision for your proposed NetworkPlus:
- be adventurous and ambitious with the potential for high impact
- address real-world challenges with respect to the priority sectors and how that will deliver impact
- prioritise environmental sustainability throughout the programme and across the life cycle of a circular process, to support sustainable approaches in relevant sectors and a greener UK economy
- consider the whole system (technological, economic, social, cultural, and environmental) within which the proposed research outputs would sit. See the systems approach section
Projects, including those funded by flexible funding, must demonstrably lie primarily within EPSRC’s remit, that is, over 50% EPSRC remit. However, involvement of researchers from other disciplines, including those from other UKRI councils, and embedding an interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary approach (or both) is welcome and encouraged. Please see the ‘Disciplinary approach’ and ‘What we will fund’ sections for more information.
Before applying you should read the background section for this opportunity. Consider the broader context in which your proposed research outcomes sit, including relevant sectors, supply chains, and circular solutions that maximise value.
Expectations of the NetworkPlus
The NetworkPlus is expected to build and support a community of academic and non-academic stakeholders, support collaboration, networking, horizon-scanning, and identify key research challenges. In the generation of new ideas, it should help the community to navigate government strategies and inform the development of future plans in circular economy.
Workstreams should be co-created appropriately with interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaborators, or both. You should also co-create with external stakeholders within spaces beyond academia who can provide further understanding of the contextual factors that influence the systems at appropriate disciplinary interfaces.
The NetworkPlus team should have a plan to evaluate and monitor its work including milestones and key performance indicators. They should also have a plan to develop and report case studies annually via submission of an annual report (see additional grant conditions) as it progresses. We also expect networks to report progress every six months to the Advisory Board and provide information on request to UKRI and Defra.
We expect the network to carry out continuous learning, be agile in activities, develop key performance indicators and adapt according to feedback. Annual reports will be used by UKRI and Defra to highlight outcomes and impact from the network, and will be used in informing our thinking about future research, innovation, and evidence for policy making.
The NetworkPlus must engage widely and be inclusive, including:
- engaging with and drawing on relevant parts of UKRI’s communities, existing strategic investments, and, where relevant, other investments under the UKRI Building a Greener Future strategic theme, namely seek to act as a network of networks, helping to promote and amplify the impact of existing related work
- working with research expertise from the UK Circular Economy community and relevant government bodies for insights into ongoing work in their theme
- undertaking a significant and interactive communications and engagement programme, including conferences, roundtables and showcases, and creative and innovative engagement mechanisms, leading to promoting national dialogue and solutions to maximise value and circularity in your chosen challenge area
- developing a high-quality evidence base platform, for example, a website, to communicate and disseminate information to the broader circular economy community in multiple sectors
- engaging, including and championing early and mid-career researchers, and professional research enabling staff for example by inclusion on the management team, intentional mentorship, and/or by provision of opportunities which particularly benefit individuals in these career stages and allow them the opportunity to build their networks
The NetworkPlus must identify and address challenges and opportunities, including:
- promoting understanding of perspectives, needs of different organisations, and knowledge exchange between academia and government, industry and other stakeholders through placements, secondments, fellowship opportunities or innovative mechanisms
- identifying research and policy priorities and supporting the academic community to engage with these priorities to deliver research which targets critical circular economy challenges and circular solutions which maximise value, and translating academic research and expertise for a user audience
The NetworkPlus must support UKRI’s research strategy and government strategy, including:
- making it easier for users to understand and access the breadth of existing and emerging evidence and expertise, to inform policy and support UK leadership in circular economy
- embedding strategic foresight within the circular solutions which maximise value into its vision and activities
- collaborating with policymakers and regulators to consider likely futures and threats, envisage multiple scenarios, consider what futures are desirable for the UK, what levers the UK has or could have, and how they could or should be used
- developing a clear strategic vision and a framework to deliver UK thought leadership in the priority sectors aligned with government objectives and transformative circular economy principles
- building relationships with research organisations internationally sharing similar objectives, employing best practice approaches in trusted research
- embedding throughout the programme of work consideration of responsible research and innovation, including environmental sustainability, research culture, career development of all staff involved, trusted research, and equality, diversity, and inclusion
The NetworkPlus must engage with different places in the UK including:
- incorporating a local, regional, devolved administration and national lens in its activities to identify solutions that promote economic, social and cultural prosperity
- engaging with a number of specific places in the UK to develop ’case studies’ in how the academic community can work with local business, communities, industry and local government councils
The NetworkPlus must also incorporate open data sharing agreements to allow greater transparency and collaboration. It should also develop and run small funding opportunities to allocate funding relevant to the aims and expectations of the network via a flexible fund. Please see Flexible fund section for more details.
Please note, the above list is not exhaustive.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in your NetworkPlus
We aim to support a diverse and inclusive research environment where there are equal opportunities. As such, we are asking for an EDI plan at this full application stage. This plan should be project-specific and focus on activities beyond any institutional activities already in place.
It is vital for the circular economy community to be as diverse and inclusive as possible. This is to generate the flow of innovative and novel ideas, innovations and solutions to problems that are needed to enable new discoveries and solve global issues. Attracting, retaining and developing a diverse range of people in research and innovation can only be achieved by making the system more appealing, inclusive and fair. An inclusive environment enables people to voice their suggestions without fear and to feel valued and welcome, and this in turn enables a diversity of people and ideas to thrive. All of us in the community have a role to play in reshaping the system to create welcoming and equitable structures, where everyone feels supported, respected and valued.
We expect you to:
- use and advance your current understanding of the societal and economic inclusion challenges within the wider circular economy landscape as people progress their career pathway and navigate the community space
- identify and address your own local environment and disciplinary challenges and barriers to diversity and inclusion, considering how these may influence participation, access, and outcomes across your NetworkPlus
- translate this learning into actionable and measurable interventions that embed equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible practices throughout all aspects of your NetworkPlus. Explain the outcomes you aim to create through these activities
While we do not expect project teams to have specific expertise in EDI, the plans should still demonstrate an understanding of any EDI challenges associated with the NetworkPlus, and the activities it undertakes.
Examples of what could be included in the EDI plan are:
- creating a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment across all NetworkPlus activities, with a culture where all can contribute, thrive, and feel valued regardless of personal circumstances
- actions to promote inclusive participation of marginalised groups in the NetworkPlus activities
- ensuring a diverse membership of your advisory board and leadership team who champion EDI practices and set an example for other leadership groups
- prioritising the experience and progression of all involved in the NetworkPlus, ensuring they are well supported with networking, career and professional development opportunities
- demonstrating a clear understanding of the known career-progression barriers, particularly for underrepresented groups and their implications for organisations and the circular economy community
- activities to promote retention of marginalised groups in your challenge area community
- activities to increase accessibility in your chosen challenge area community
- EDI advocacy
- ensuring all events and activities related to the NetworkPlus are inclusive and accessible for everyone, including speakers and attendees
- budgeting for EDI activities and establishing a small team to deliver if necessary
- ensuring there is comprehensive wellbeing support encompassing physical, mental, social and emotional health to enable all team members to reach their potential
- investing in continuous professional development on wellbeing and support
- ensuring there are effective and robust processes for managing and preventing bullying and harassment
- offering flexible working arrangements for team members who have specific requirements due to personal circumstances, such as parenting or caring responsibilities, disability or health-related reasons and cultural expectations
- supporting early and mid-career researchers and your NetworkPlus grant manager(s) with setting achievable career goals and providing continuing professional development opportunities
Please see the Additional information section for resources which may be supportive when writing your EDI plan. Any budget requested for EDI activities should be from within the budget allocated to other activities and not the flexible fund.
What does success look like for this funding opportunity?
A successful NetworkPlus will specifically address EPSRC and Defra strategic aims through:
- the creation of leadership of diverse and inclusive interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary research communities (both new and existing) across academia, industry, and policy
- fostering new connections between relevant communities and projects, including the involvement and support for early and mid-career researchers
- embedding the development of early and mid-career individuals within all NetworkPlus activities
- advocating for and propose good practices which will enable others to take research outcomes forward in their own discipline, such as through toolkits, taxonomies and roadmaps. The purpose of these should be applicable wider than purely research with a tangible relevancy to policy
- delivering an increase in research projects addressing timely and strategically important challenges in the selected research areas and sectors. The flexible funding should be used for seed-corn funds, demonstrators/feasibility studies, and research to innovation/ translational research to deliver impact and broader benefits to society, the economy, and the environment
User engagement
We encourage you to engage with research users in the conception and implementation of the network to maximise impact where appropriate. These can include:
- academia
- industry
- small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs)
- third sector
- end users
- policymakers and government bodies
- local councils
- research institutes
- other sectors as appropriate
- the public and community groups
Community building and dissemination of work to wider society through stakeholder engagement is strongly encouraged.
Systems approach
Applicants must place their NetworkPlus in the context of the wider system (technological, economic, social, cultural, and environmental) within which the proposed research outputs would sit. These aspects should inform and influence the direction of the proposed network throughout its lifetime. An embedded and informed systems approach enables consideration of the trade-offs, risks and mitigations associated with different approaches. Upskilling the wider community on systems thinking and expertise should be a considered part of the NetworkPlus proposal.
A whole systems approach enables the development of solutions and innovations that are more impactful, while minimising and mitigating unintended consequences. It is a discovery process combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to understanding and managing technological systems alongside broader economic, environmental, social, political and behavioural considerations, taking into account complex interactions.
A shift to a more circular economy provides an opportunity for the UK to achieve more sustainable and clean economic growth and prosperity. However, implementing it within the current UK system may not always be the most appropriate approach.
You should consider questions such as:
- how does your proposed NetworkPlus influence or impact other parts of the system you are developing? Consider technical, social, political, and economic systems
- how could other systems influence or impact your proposed activities and outputs?
- will the planned outputs of the project fit in the current and future circular economy landscape of the UK?
- have you engaged with the right stakeholders to understand the existing system and influence realistic changes to support your proposed network to have the desired impact?
- what further research might be needed to have the desired impact in a current or future system? Your network may not necessarily deliver this further research, but it should look to identify it and consider the implications of it
- have you considered the wider social, legal, regulatory, economic, and environmental context and demonstrated an understanding of the technological and regulatory landscape in which the project outputs would be used?
For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the Additional information section.
Disciplinary approach
We strongly encourage you to take an inter or transdisciplinary approach. Interdisciplinary research could also be considered transdisciplinary if it involves non-academic stakeholders. Multidisciplinary research is not within the scope of this opportunity. Please see the Additional information section for more details on how we are defining these approaches for this funding opportunity.
Environmental sustainability
UKRI’s environmental sustainability strategy lays out our ambition to actively lead environmental sustainability across our sectors. This includes a vision to ensure that all major investment and funding decisions we make are directly informed by environmental sustainability, recognising environmental benefits as well as potential for environmental harm.
In alignment with this, UKRI is tackling the challenge of environmental sustainability through our ‘building a green future’ strategic theme. This aims to develop whole-systems solutions to improve the health of our environment and deliver net zero, securing prosperity across the whole of the UK.
Environmental sustainability is a broad term but may include consideration of such broad areas as:
- reducing carbon emissions
- protecting and enhancing the natural environment and biodiversity
- waste or pollution elimination
- resource efficiency and a circular economy
- appropriate degree of application of tools such as Life Cycle Analysis
EPSRC expects programmes to embed careful consideration of environmental sustainability at all stages of the research and innovation process and throughout the lifetime of the grant.
Projects should ensure that environmental impact and mitigation of the proposed research approaches and operations, as well as the associated outputs and outcomes, are considered. Projects must also seek opportunities to influence others and leave a legacy of environmental sustainability within the broader landscape.
Duration
The duration of this award is a maximum of 36 months.
There will be a fixed start date for successful awards. Projects must start on 1 October 2027. We expect applicants to apply for a realistic grant duration for meeting their objectives.
Funding available
The 100% FEC of your project can be up to £5.41 million.
We will fund 80% of the FEC (up to £4.328 million).
Costs requested may be below those requested at the outline stage if suitable savings can be identified. However, the overall cost requested from us at the full application stage cannot be more than 10% above the value of the outline application. If you plan to make significant changes to the budget or scope of your project compared to the outline stage, please discuss this with us prior to submission.
What we will fund
We will fund:
- community building and networking activities
- appropriate administrative support
- flexible funds for demonstrators/feasibility studies, research to innovation projects or translational research, proof of concept studies, market validation and activities targeting policy, business and the third sector collaboration
- equipment to facilitate communication, networking and events. We welcome innovative and creative thought on approaches to facilitation
Appropriately skilled individuals may be costed to conduct and analyse horizon scanning activities to meet the aims and objectives of the NetworkPlus.
Eligible costs
Project lead and co-leads’ salaries
These should be requested under the directly allocated cost heading.
The project lead and co-leads can request funds to cover their salary costs for the time spent on setting up and leading the NetworkPlus.
Directly incurred costs
Funding requested under the directly incurred cost heading may include the following.
Travel and subsistence
Travel and subsistence enabling members of the NetworkPlus to meet to exchange ideas and expertise may include:
- travel within the UK
- visits by or to experts overseas
- travel and subsistence costs to support secondments
Where possible collaborators should meet their own travel costs.
Staff, including administrative support
Staff may be costed to carry out the activities of the NetworkPlus, including engagement, and horizon scanning activities to meet the aims and objectives of the NetworkPlus.
A sufficient level of administrative support should be requested to ensure the coordination, management, and smooth running of the NetworkPlus.
You are expected to employ a dedicated grant manager as a core member of the team, with relevant experience and costed at the appropriate grade. It is expected that the career development of professional enabling research staff is also centred in their network activity work portfolios.
Reasonable costs for monitoring and dissemination of the network’s output can also be included.
Network activities to be funded from the network activities fund (40% of total funds applied for)
The information contained in this section refers to the activities the NetworkPlus team can organise to support their NetworkPlus objectives. They cannot be funded from the flexible fund allocation.
Funding can be requested for:
- activities to identify and disseminate key research challenges in the area, such as horizon-scanning studies
- activities to generate new research projects in the area, such as sandpits
- activities to facilitate impact and advance policy, such as reports, websites and briefings
- secondment support, including scoping of potential opportunities, travel and subsistence, and other appropriate costs
- activities to support career development, training and EDI
- activities such as networking events to connect users, industry and other stakeholders with the research base
- communication costs, for example, for a web server or web presence for the duration of the project
- equipment to support networking, events and communication
- expert working groups
- problem-solving workshops
- online discussion fora
- debates
- lectures and seminars
- other projects as appropriate for the NetworkPlus, and to allow the NetworkPlus to meet the expectations set out above
You are encouraged to think creatively about the range of activities that could support the delivery of the NetworkPlus goals. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your proposed activities with us ahead of submission.
Flexible fund allocation (60% of total funds applied for)
The information in this section refers to the flexible fund allocation.
Any flexible funding will be expected to be awarded as part of an open competition to the community. Those involved in the NetworkPlus team cannot apply for or be involved with awards made with flexible funding.
Individuals who are based in the same institution as a member of the NetworkPlus team can apply for the flexible funds.
Prospective applicants to this funding opportunity should ensure:
- at least 60% of overall funds applied for are allocated to flexible funds
- at least 50% of the flexible fund should be used for research to innovation or translational research to accelerate a route to market. For example, developing a prototype and testing it with users (such as a durability testing method for textiles)
It is expected that flexible funds will be made available at points during the lifetime of the NetworkPlus. The need for these activities is identified by the NetworkPlus and agreed with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Defra. The NetworkPlus team should be prepared to work with UKRI and government stakeholders to identify and pursue these opportunities.
The sum awarded under the heading of ‘flexible funds’ can include both directly incurred and directly allocated expenditure. Please list your flexible fund allocation as directly incurred costs on your application. Post award, please report your flexible funding as directly incurred and directly allocated expenditure as appropriate.
Flexible funding is to fund the following three streams:
- targeted place-based demonstrators/feasibility studies (academic or addressing government or industry challenges)
- seed-corn funding (high-risk projects, collaborative projects)
- research to innovation or translational research
Please ensure it is clear in your application in the Flexible fund section what percentage and funding will be allocated to each of these streams.
Projects funded by the flexible fund should have the following characteristics:
- accelerate the creation of new maintenance solutions including monitoring and repair, refurbishment, retrofitting, and repurposing technologies. This will support the creation of new UK economic opportunities and position the UK as a global leader in circular economy
- incorporate development of methods to track products through their life cycles and their effectiveness, such as digital product passports
- design and deliver disruptive circular business models which can enable a shift from linear practices to more resource efficient circular practices
- incorporate design for circularity. For example, tools and approaches to designing a product specifically to be circular; a novel material designed specifically to have properties enabling circularity; or the use of an alternative material to enable circularity of a product
Demonstrators for this funding opportunity refers to the research and development stage instead of pilot scale innovation. They are intended to support feasibility studies that test early-stage ideas/research outputs in place-based real-world settings, that is the next stages in the impact pipeline.
The aim is to generate practical insights and evidence that can inform future scaling or investment. Some examples trialling a textile design that encourages repair, or deployment of a new data collection tool at a workplace or other setting.
This flexible fund should be included in the application costings. You should specify the total size of the fund according to the balance of activity that the leadership team propose to undertake directly versus to disseminate via the fund.
Flexible funds can be allocated to researchers at any organisation currently eligible for EPSRC funding.
You will need to have a robust and auditable process in place about how any budget for external distribution will be commissioned, and how you will ensure processes for the allocation of funds are fair and transparent.
Please note that any activities commissioned by the NetworkPlus using the flexible funds will be restricted to EPSRC current research organisation eligibility but will not be bound by standard EPSRC project lead eligibility criterion. It is the project lead’s responsibility to ensure ongoing governance to ensure correct usage and accountability of the funds. These funds must be reported on the final expenditure statement (FES) as awarded on the offer letter and a breakdown of the expenditure must be submitted along with the FES. Projects funded via the flexible fund should also be awarded at 80% FEC to ensure that there is no net cost to the host organisation.
Project partners
Project partners are expected to provide contributions to the delivery of the project and should not therefore be seeking to claim funds from UKRI (this includes businesses). However, where there are specific circumstances where project partners do require funding for minor costs such as travel and subsistence, this will usually be paid at 80% FEC. These costs should be outlined and fully justified in the proposal and will be subject to panel review.
Where the project needs work to be undertaken that is more significant and includes costs other than travel and subsistence, then the project partner may also need to be included as a subcontractor. Any subcontracting costs must be fully justified and will be subject to peer review, as well as the procurement rules of the host organisation. See more information about project partners letter of support.
What we will not fund
Research
Funds cannot be requested to support the NetworkPlus to carry out research-related activities. These should be sought through the normal mechanisms (for example, EPSRC responsive mode funding) or commissioned via open competition using the aforementioned flexible funds.
Area of focus of the NetworkPlus
Please ensure that your NetworkPlus does not:
- have the majority of the proposed work outside of EPSRC remit. We will reject applications deemed to have a majority remit within another UKRI council. EPSRC reserves the right to make such remit decisions without reference to peer review
- have a sole focus on recycling as this research area has been the topic of recent UKRI investments. We understand that you may collaborate with individuals who work in this discipline area, however, their expertise must be sought in a secondary/collaborative capacity
- have a focus which would fit within the remit of the EPSRC Research to Advance UK Recycling Capabilities funding opportunity
- have a focus on one circular solution that maximises value. Your project should involve a combination of two or more strategies such as refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, or repurpose
- have a focus that is circularity of plastic packaging, as this topic has been the subject of several recent UKRI investments
Equipment
Equipment over £25,000 is not available through this funding opportunity. We will not be funding laboratory or research equipment for this funding opportunity.
However, equipment to facilitate communication, networking and events can be requested below £25,000.
Additional conditions
The NetworkPlus funding awarded to those successful at the full stage will be subject to the additional conditions below around the following themes. Please note, grant holders may be subject to additional conditions. The full conditions will be outlined in any successful offer letter at full stage.
Community network expectations
In addition to the core research programme, the project will be expected to undertake a wider networking role with the research and user community outside its membership. This may involve coordination of activities such as meetings, workshops or seminars on behalf of EPSRC. A dedicated website must be set up within six months of the start of the grant and regularly maintained to provide a resource for engagement with the wider community.
User engagement strategy
You must develop and execute a strategy for engaging with potential users of the research funded in the project. This strategy should be reviewed and updated regularly as part of the formal management and reporting process agreed for this grant.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
You are expected to prepare a full equality, diversity and inclusion plan for the duration of this grant to demonstrate best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the lifetime of this funding award. This must be recorded through the grant reporting process.
Project officer appointment
We will nominate a member of EPSRC staff (project officer) who will be your primary point of contact. The project officer will ensure that the project is being run in accordance with the terms and conditions and in line with financial due diligence. The project officer should have access to all documentation of governance and reporting bodies, in so far as it relates to the administration and application of the grant. As funding administrators, all UKRI staff have agreed to maintain the confidentiality required by all parties involved in EPSRC-funded research.
Advisory board membership and operations
This grant must establish and run an independent advisory board, or equivalent body, to oversee the running of the project and provide advice on the strategic direction and activities of the project. The terms of reference and membership of this group (at least 50% independent membership and an independent chair) should be agreed with EPSRC. The EPSRC project officer will also be expected to attend and participate in advisory board and other appropriate meetings for the duration of the grant.
We will nominate a member of Defra staff to be involved in your advisory board. They should have access to all documentation of governance and reporting bodies, in so far as it relates to the administration and application of the grant. Defra staff have agreed to maintain the confidentiality required by all parties involved in EPSRC-funded research.
It is expected the first advisory board meeting will be held within four months of the start date of the project and there will be two meetings a year with contact outside of the meeting when appropriate.
Flexible funds
The sum awarded under the heading of ‘flexible funds’ can include both directly incurred and directly allocated expenditure. These funds must be reported on the final expenditure statement (FES) as awarded on the offer letter and a breakdown of the expenditure must be submitted along with the FES. If a breakdown of this expenditure is not received the FES will be returned. Standard grant conditions apply to all other funds awarded on this grant. An audit trail of the approval is required for Funding Assurance and the National Audit Office.
Publicity and branding
You must make reference to EPSRC, UKRI, and Defra funding and include the UKRI and Defra logos and relevant branding on all online or printed materials (including press releases, posters, exhibition materials and other publications) related to activities funded a successful grant.
Progress reports
You are responsible for providing annual progress reports against non-financial performance metrics. A detailed list of performance metrics and instructions for reporting will be agreed with the grant holder and advisory board upon commencement of a successful grant.
Management structure
You should have established an appropriate management structure with clear lines of responsibility and authority to oversee the day-to-day running of the project. This should be in place within six months of the start date of the grant. The terms of reference and management structure, including the director, co-director and any other senior staff involved must be approved by EPSRC and Defra in advance. As must any changes to this structure. The project officer will be EPSRC’s main contact with the project and must receive all meeting minutes of the management committees. EPSRC and Defra reserve the right to attend any meetings.
Management resourcing
Adequate resourcing to support an appropriate management structure, as specified in the funding opportunity documentation, should be costed within the grant. This includes employing a grant manager on the grant.
Supporting skills and talent
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, the Technician Commitment and recommendations outlined within the UKRI Action Plan People and Teams.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)
UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.
As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.
See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support.
