The ESRC Knowledge Exchange Small Grants Scheme is a scheme that provides funding for social science PhD students, researchers and knowledge transfer professionals to undertake knowledge exchange and impact generating activity. The scheme is not designed to fund new research but is explicitly for new knowledge exchange or impact generating activity that may include events, networks, policy briefings, online blog sites etc or a combination of activities. We encourage applicants to think creatively about the format of the knowledge exchange/engagement projects they put forward.
The knowledge exchange activity must be focused on promoting the application of social science within non-academic communities and should help to facilitate the co-production and application of knowledge. The target/main audience of the award activity must be non-academic stakeholders within the private, public or third sectors. The general public, young people/children and groups of individuals are not eligible target audiences for this scheme as these groups fall under the 'Public Engagement' remit.
Applications must demonstrate links to the ESRC strategic objectives and research challenges.
Features of the scheme
Aims
The aims of the scheme are to:
- Provide funding for knowledge exchange or impact generating activity
- Promote the application and co-production of social science research to non-academic audiences within the private, public and third sectors
- Facilitate networks and collaborations between social science researchers and non-academic stakeholders
- Increase the opportunities for social science research to make an impact on policy and practice
Funding available and duration
The scheme will provide between £2,000 - £10,000 of funding (non FEC) for knowledge exchange and impact generating activity per application. Only one application is permitted from the same applicant per call - please see the scheme guidance notes below for further information.
Co-funding and support is desirable, particularly from non-academic organisations and all costs must be broken down and justified in the application.
Knowledge Exchange Small Grants can be between one month to 12 months in duration depending on the activity detailed in the application.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to all social science PhD students (restrictions apply - please see below) and researchers at all stages of the academic lifecycle. Knowledge transfer professionals based at UK Research Organisations are also eligible to apply. Applicants do not need to be currently or previously funded by the ESRC to apply but they must be based at a UK Research Organisation eligible for Research Council Funding at the time of application and for the full duration of the grant.
PhD applicants please note: The Je-S system will not allow PhD students to submit an application to the scheme as a Principal Investigator or a Co-Investigator. If PhD students are interested in applying they will need to ask their supervisor (or a relevant colleague in their department) to be named as the PI on the grant and in the first sentence of the 'Case for Support' section of the application, the PhD involvement/management of the knowledge exchange activity will need to be clearly stated and detailed. The knowledge exchange activity must be related to the PhD research being undertaken and completed within the lifecycle of the studentship. Masters students are not eligible to apply to this scheme.
All knowledge transfer professionals that apply must demonstrate that they have academic support from the relevant social science department within their research organisation. This can be demonstrated by including a relevant academic colleague as a co-investigator on the application or attaching a letter of support.
Re-submission
Re-submissions must be accompanied by a covering letter briefly explaining the reason for re-submission and the changes made to the original proposal.
Monitoring and evaluation
The Principal Investigator will produce an End of Award report three months after the grant end date. A further Impact Report should be produced by the Principal Investigator 12 months after the end of the grant to assess any longer term impacts.
Future calls and application form
- First Call 2010/11: 1 June 2010 - 5 August 2010
- Second Call 2010/11: 5 November 2010 - 27 January 2011
All applications should be made via the Research Council Joint Electronic Submission System (Je-S) by 4.00pm on the closing date.
Details of successful awards
Additional information
Generic ESRC Guidance
Scheme Specific Guidance
Scheme queries and application process
We strongly advise applicants to read the detailed scheme guidance notes and FAQs before contacting the Knowledge Transfer Team with queries.