This funding opportunity, administered by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), aims to foster the Collaborative Computational Project (CCP) model across research communities within UKRI. The goal is to create a robust and stable landscape of communities that support the concept of research computing software as an infrastructure. This funding, sourced from UKRI's Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) program and curated by CoSeC, seeks to identify and define viable new CCPs that can be integrated into the existing community landscape, expanding its research remit and collaborative reach.

Scope of Work

The CCP model, proven effective within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and Medical Research Council (MRC) communities, is now being extended to all of UKRI. This funding aims to solidify existing or cultivate new networks of researchers into a structure that leverages the CCP model. The core of a CCP is a community of researchers united by a shared research area and the research software or associated data used for that area. This funding will result in two key outputs: a published roadmap and workplan for the proposed community, and a final report presenting an updated roadmap based on the workplan, serving as the design for a new CCP.

Eligibility

Standard UKRI eligibility rules apply. The application must be led by an eligible project lead based at eligible UK-based organizations. This funding opportunity is open to eligible individuals at eligible research institutes, NHS bodies, approved public sector research establishments (PSREs), approved independent research organizations (IROs), and approved research technology organizations (including Catapults). Applications that support cross-discipline and cross-domain communities, as well as collaborations with other research organizations within the UK and internationally, are encouraged. International applicants are not eligible for funding, but they can be included as project partners.

Budget and Duration

Subject to quality, funding of up to £1.3 million is available through this funding opportunity. The full economic cost (FEC) of each funded project can be up to £264,000, with STFC funding 80% of the FEC. Projects can be up to 24 months in length and must start by 1 January 2025. Grant extensions will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and require UKRI agreement.

Additional Information

The funding opportunity provides flexibility in allocating funds between salary and networking costs, but salary costs cannot exceed 70% of the overall requested funding. CoSeC provides operational and technical support at no extra cost, with one FTE of effort available for the final 12 months of the project. The funding opportunity also emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and cybersecurity within the research and innovation process.

Key Dates

• Opening Date: 2 September 2024, 9:00 am UK time

• Closing Date: 24 October 2024, 4:00 pm UK time

• Review Panel: Late November 2024

• Decisions Communicated: Mid December 2024

• Funding Starts: 1 January 2025

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the new UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. The project lead is responsible for completing the application process, but all team members and project partners are expected to contribute. The application must be submitted by the lead research organization. The application process involves answering questions directly in text boxes, uploading documents, and submitting the completed application to the research office for checking.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed by a panel of peers who will rank them based on quality. The panel will then make a funding recommendation. The assessment process is expected to be completed within two months of receiving the application. Feedback will be provided with the outcome of the application.

Contact Information

• For questions related to this specific funding opportunity, contact cosec@stfc.ac.uk.

• For queries regarding the system or the submission of applications through the Funding Service, contact the helpdesk at support@funding-service.ukri.org or 01793 547490.

• For help and advice on costings and writing your proposal, contact your research office.

Reporting Requirements

In addition to any other regular reporting required by UKRI, this funding opportunity requires two additional reports to be submitted to CoSeC: one between months six to 12 and another between months 18 to 24. The reports will detail a high-level community roadmap and an overview of the community's achievements towards its five-year vision.

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