Block funding allocates lump sums to research institutions without requiring detailed project-by-project proposals in advance. It gives flexibility to research organisations and researchers to allocate funds based on strategic priorities, respond swiftly to commercialisation opportunities and re-allocate funds if projects do not materialise as expected.
Higher Education Innovation Funding
Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) is block-award funding to support higher education providers to carry out knowledge exchange and commercialisation activities.
HEIF is provided by Research England and the Office for Students, and is allocated to eligible higher education providers in England by formula.
Find out more about Higher Education Innovation Funding.
Impact acceleration accounts
Impact acceleration accounts are block-award grants made by research councils that research organisations can use creatively for a wide range of knowledge exchange activities. They’re designed to support, progress and accelerate the translation of research outputs into impacts.
As part of the harmonised UKRI impact acceleration accounts funding is awarded on an aligned timetable by the following councils:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) impact acceleration accounts are made on a separate timetable.
Institutions with impact acceleration account funding use them to make their own awards to support impact activities. If you think impact acceleration account funding is right for your project, you should contact the grant-holding institution directly.
EPSRC place-based impact acceleration accounts
The place-based impact acceleration accounts are block award grants made by EPSRC consortia to support impact activities within a research and innovation cluster. They encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange between UK universities, civic bodies and businesses.
Details from the latest place-based impact acceleration account funding round.
Last updated: 23 January 2024