IRC Flexible Fund Round 3

The IRC is now inviting proposals for research projects that will generate actionable insights to inform research and innovation strategy, policy and support, with a focus on both economic and non-economic outcomes.

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. The funding call is open for submissions from 1 September to 22 October 2025.

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/.

Timescales

• Call opens – 1 September 2025
• Call closes and deadline for applications – 12:00pm 22 October 2025
• Review Panel – Mid November 2025
• Project start – 1 January 2025

Eligibility 

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

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

Full eligibility requirements are provided in the guidance document which is available via the download section of this page.

Grant conditions

Successful applicants will receive a Grant Award Letter which includes the terms and conditions for this call set out in the IRC Disbursement Agreement. Applicants should make sure that these terms are acceptable to their organisation before applying for funding.

The IRC will only make successful awards to those applicants that indicate their acceptance at the date of application of the template Disbursement Agreement. Additionally, any applicant considers the template Disbursement Agreement to be binding and in circumstances where the applicant cannot agree to the terms of the Disbursement Agreement that no bid for a research award should be made.

A copy of these terms and conditions are available via the download section of this page.

Submissions

Deadline for applications: 12pm 22 October 2025
To apply, please complete the application form available via the download section of this page, attach short CVs (maximum 2 pages) for all members of the research team, and submit to info@ircaucus.ac.uk.

Have you got any questions?

We are 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.

For all enquiries about the call, please contact info@ircaucus.ac.uk