UEL Research Investment Fund 2016
International Research Collaborations Fund IRCF 2015/16
Information and Application Form
Fund Information
The UEL International Research Collaborations Fund (IRCF) has been established to fund the
development of large scale, international research proposals to external funding organisations.
Applications should have a significant international (Non-UK) component, with a particular emphasis
on building EU consortia. The projects should involve partners from outside of the UK, and should
be for development activities leading to the submission of a large externally funded research
projects i.e. Horizon 2020. This fund will provide up to £2,500 for successful projects, with
expenditure needed to be completed by the end July 2016.
Call and Deadline
You can submit to this scheme at anytime, however please note that there is limited funding
available and the IRCF will close when all the funds are allocated. All successful IRCF applicants are
required to spend the allocated funding in full by 17th July 2016.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to all UEL staff engaged in teaching and research, with the exception of
hourly paid lecturers or those on teaching-only contracts. Activity must directly contribute
to the development of the research proposal and applicants must detail the relevant
funding stream/call within their IRCF application. The IRCF particularly welcomes proposals
that will lead to an EU Horizon 2020, or similar, funding applications where a small
development fund will enhance the quality of an existing development. The IRCF also
encourages applicants to align with UEL research priorities, applications will need support
from the Dean of School.
Proposals for any of the following eligible activities/costs will be considered:
•
•
•
Meeting with non-UK partners/stakeholders for the development of project proposals
Replacement teaching or assessment costs to free up time for proposal development
Engaging external experts to advise on proposal development
Details of previously successful applications can be found here:
http://uelresearch.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/ircf-update/
Applications for individual research projects are not eligible. Projects previously funded by the IRCF
are not eligible.
UEL Research Investment Fund 2016
Award Criteria
Proposals will be assessed against the following criteria:

Quality of the proposed research idea to be submitted to the funding organization
1. Is there clear alignment between the priorities of the funder/call, the objectives of the
proposed research project and the UEL research priorities? Explain how you will make
sure you will reach the EU funding threshold?
2. How well does the consortium work together? Explain each partners’ relevance for and
their part in the research. What would the contact with the consortium be prior to
submission?
3. Has the research a wider impact including all stakeholders involved in the project and
those not directly involved? Does the research impact on communities and other
countries not directly involved in the project? Is the research project sustainable?
4. Explain clearly how the research is going to be implemented.
5. What is the state of the art/ ground breaking nature of the research?
For ERC applications please provide a relevant CV.

Appropriateness of the proposed development activities
Are the proposed activities directly relevant to the development of the research proposal?
Will the activities significantly increase the quality of the proposal and increase the chances
of a successful outcome? Has the need for these activities been demonstrated?
Are the timeframes of the proposed activities achievable and appropriate?

Budget and value for money
Are all budget items fully justified?
Does the proposal represent a value for money investment in the project opportunity?
Assessment
Applications will be assessed by a panel that includes the Dean of Research, the Director of Research
Operations and the Head of Research and Development Services. For a successful application 3 of
the above 5 criteria have to be met. In some cases, applicants may be invited to a one hour meeting
to discuss their application and the development with ReDS.
Terms and Conditions of the Award
All recipients of IRCF will be required to report on the outcomes of the activity and to justify the
expenditure of the grant. Specifically, these awards are expected to lead to a Horizon 2020 (or
similar) application. Attending the H2020 cohort events is mandatory for anyone receiving this
award and so are regular process updates and draft submissions to ReDS as set out in a first
meeting.
How to apply
Please complete the application form and send it to ircf@uel.ac.uk. You can submit to this scheme at
anytime, however please note that there is limited funding available and the IRCF will close when all
the funds are allocated.
Terms of the grant

To comply with UEL accounting procedures all expenditure must be completed no later than
31 July 2017. This also means that any travel must be undertaken before this date

Successful applicants will be expected to request ethical approval for programmes of
research
UEL Research Investment Fund 2016

Deferral of the award is not possible

The decisions of the panel will be final and there will be no further right of appeal

Award holders will be required to produce an initial report on the research outcomes from
the funding period by Wednesday 31st August 2017. This should explain what was intended
in the initial proposal, and what was achieved, particularly reporting on the specific,
measurable, achievable, realistic and trackable research outcomes given in the application
for the award.
Questions
Please direct further queries to ircf@uel.ac.uk or call 020 8223 2731
UEL Research Investment Fund 2016
International Research Collaborations Fund IRCF 2014/15
Application Form
Applicant Details
Name of applicant:
Position at UEL (NB only permanent staff are eligible):
E-mail:
Department/School:
International Research Development Opportunity
Please provide details of the international research development opportunity you are seeking
funding for by answering the following questions:
1. Please provide a summary of the large-scale research project you intend to develop
including details of how the project proposal fits to potential funding calls and aligns to
UEL’s strategic research objectives (500 words max)
2. Please provide details of the international collaborators (300 words max)
3. Please provide a description of the potential impact of your research (300 words max)
4. Please explain the state of the art/ ground breaking nature of the research (250 words max)
UEL Research Investment Fund 2016
5. What is the deadline or intended submission date for the proposal? (250 words max)
6. Please provide details of how the research will be implemented? (250 words max)
7. Please describe the activities you are seeking IRCF funding for including details of the timing.
Please also explain how these activities will improve the quality of the research proposal
(250 words max).
Budget
Cost
Category
Replacement
teaching/
assessment
costs
Travel and
Subsistence
Description and justification
Total IRCF
Funding
requested
UEL Research Investment Fund 2016
Other
(please
specify)
TOTAL
School Support
Comment from Dean of School (text from an email is sufficient):
Please submit your application to: ircf@uel.ac.uk
Please provide 3 times and dates when you are available for potential meeting with ReDS:
For ReDS use only
Application Reference Number:
Date of receipt: