IRC Flex Fund Three Funding Call – Pre-call announcement

We’re delighted to announce that we have a third Flexible Funding Call opening for submissions soon.

In collaboration with our stakeholders, UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and Innovate UK, the third Open Funding Call invites proposals that generate actionable insights to inform research and innovation strategy, policy and support, with a focus on both economic and non-economic outcomes.

This funding call is open for submissions from 1 September to 22 October 2025. The full documentation and call details will be published on our website on 1 September 2025.

Funding available

This call invites two types of proposals: Action to Impact projects or Targeted Research projects. The call has up to £200,000 (100% fEC) available to fund projects across both streams.

Action to Impact projects stream

The purpose of these projects is to translate existing research into usable, policy-relevant insights and outputs.

Projects can seek up to a maximum of £15,000 (100% fec). The IRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

• Type of activity funded: translating existing research into usable, policy-relevant insights and outputs.
• Evidence base: Draws on existing, credible research. Applicants must demonstrate the relevance and quality of this evidence.
• Key outputs: Practical outputs tailored to decision-makers (e.g. toolkits, frameworks, briefs, dashboards).
• Assessment emphasis: Usefulness, clarity, and applicability of outputs; stakeholder fit.
• Budget focus: supporting output development and dissemination

Targeted Research projects stream

The purpose of these projects is to generate new research and evidence to inform strategy, policy, or support mechanisms in the R&I system.

Projects can seek up to a maximum of £25,000 (100% fec). The IRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.

• Type of activity funded: Original research to address identified questions or gaps.
• Evidence base: Develops new evidence through primary and/or secondary research. Requires well-defined research questions.
• Key outputs: Research papers, reports, models, datasets, or conceptual frameworks, with relevance to R&I policy or strategy.
• Assessment emphasis: Rigour and relevance of research design; potential to generate new, actionable insights.
• Budget focus: supporting research delivery (staff time, data collection, analysis), with some provision for outputs.

Project proposal themes

We invite proposals that either focus on a resilient R&I system or the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation (R&I).

A Resilient R&I System

• Understanding what makes a resilient research and innovation system, the different actors and organisations required, and incentives and approaches needed to build a sustainable system.
• Transforming research and innovation environments to ensure that they are resilient

Understanding the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation (R&I)

Proposals may address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Evidencing the role of different actors in the system, including funders, in enabling and achieving economic and societal impact
• Exploring the pathways from curiosity-driven research to economic growth
• Understanding the time-lag between research and impact – exploring how different types of R&I generate outcomes over varying timescales, and the factors that influence this lag
• The role of underpinning R&I capabilities (e.g. resilient system, infrastructure, talent and skills) in achieving impact

We would also welcome proposals that address areas not already covered in our existing projects portfolio. See here for more information on our current projects: https://ircaucus.ac.uk/projects-2/.

Additional information

The Principal Investigator must be a member of the IRC Network.    

This competition will be carried out in accordance with UKRI Eligibility requirements; ESRC funding rules and Principles of full economic costing.

Have you got any questions?

We’re running an information webinar on Monday 8 September at 3pm-4:30pm, where you can hear more about the funding call and we’ll happily answer any questions you might have too. Sign up is essential, so please register your place here.

The webinar will be recorded and sent to everyone who signs up (regardless of whether you can attend it ‘live’).

You can also reach out to us on info@ircaucus.ac.uk with any questions.