Innovation evidence network Call specification

Transcription

1 Version: 9 November 2018 Innovation evidence network Call specification Summary The ESRC and Innovate UK jointly invite applications to lead a network of experts in innovation from across the social sciences; the network will provide quality social science insights to shape innovation support and to champion the role of social sciences in supporting innovation. Applicants can apply for up to 600,000 (100% fec) for a period of two years. There will be a maximum cost to UKRI of 480,000. Costs should be calculated on a full economic cost (fec) basis. The grant will start on 1 June 2019 and will finish by 30 May An initial expression of interest should be submitted by 16:00 on 28 November 2018 by completing the form on the web site. The full proposal should be submitted by 16:00 on 29 January Background and scope ESRC and Innovate UK have funded the Innovation Caucus since The Innovation Caucus aims to support innovation led growth by providing research insights on the theory, policy and practice of innovation and innovation support, and promotes greater engagement between the social sciences and business. It consists of a network of 66 academics engaged in different aspects of innovation research. Mechanisms that the Innovation Caucus have used to achieve their aims include: PhD internships into Innovate UK Evidence briefings both of a rapid response and a more systematic nature Small-scale research projects to address priority questions from Innovate UK and ESRC Workshops and roundtables on areas of network and funder mutual interest, including those used to scope small-scale research projects Blogs and other communication activity Looking to the future, we wish to continue and expand the activity supported by this investment. The innovation evidence network will provide expertise to UKRI to inform support for innovation as well as championing the contribution that the social sciences can make towards innovation. 1

2 Call details The objectives of the innovation evidence network are: The provision of quality social science insights to inform and shape the work of UKRI, in particular Innovate UK and ESRC, and to shape thinking about innovation support To act as a champion for the role of the social sciences in supporting innovation and to promote interdisciplinary approaches to engaging with innovation To increase capacity for engaging with innovation through network building as well as through supporting the development of early career researchers and knowledge exchange professionals involved in or employed by the network. Funding is available for the following: A principal investigator who can act as the lead for the network, convene the network, identify gaps in network expertise and work to address them A project manager or coordinator who can coordinate network activities, act as a point of contact for Innovate UK and ESRC, working on communications, deliverables and progress, devolved funding, and impact-tracking Research assistance which may be pooled across small projects, or used to provide academic input into the provision of briefings, evidence reviews Estates and indirect costs relating to staff employed by the network Funding for travel, subsistence and venue hire for events held by the network, as well as for meetings with key stakeholders The cost of any external communication, including website development Devolved funding to be awarded to network members for small projects (less than 30,000). It is expected that these projects will be scoped in collaboration with the network and with user communities including Innovate UK and ESRC. Appropriate and transparent decision-making processes should be put in place for the award of any devolved funding. Support from the host research organisation will be essential in ensuring the devolved budget is appropriately administered as such we will require a named senior contact supporting the application in the expression of interest stage, followed by a letter of support in the full application stage. We expect that opportunities for larger projects ( 40,000 and above) may arise ad hoc throughout the programme in response to Innovate UK and ESRC s needs and priorities. These will be funded separately through the grant should they arise. Devolved funding may also be used to fund PhD internships into Innovate UK and ESRC. We encourage a model in which all network members play an active role in the intellectual direction of the network. As such we discourage co-investigators in the leadership model unless strongly justified in the application. Due and appropriate consideration should be given to the career development of project managers and research assistants in line with the objective to develop skills among early career researchers and knowledge exchange professionals. 2

3 Key performance indicators We will work with the Innovation Evidence Network to put in place key performance indicators and a methodology for tracking impact over time. Initial suggestions for both key performance indicators and metrics should be suggested in the full proposal. Investment management This network is a key part of ESRC s portfolio of managed research investments and, in addition to the regular contact with ESRC, Innovate UK and other parts of UKRI on projects relating to the caucus, the leadership of the network will be expected to participate in regular meetings with ESRC and Innovate UK to monitor the progress of the project. Intellectual property, publication and non-disclosure All new research supported by this investment will be subject to the usual UKRI terms and conditions for research grants with respect to intellectual property and publication. However, to enable close working relationships between the network leadership and UKRI, it may be necessary to put a non-disclosure agreement in place between UKRI and the network leadership to enable access to data and internal meetings. This will be based on existing arrangements with the Innovation Caucus. Research ethics The network is expected to comply with the ESRC Framework for Research Ethics and to ensure that any awards of devolved funding made to network members also comply. For more information, see: ( How to apply Expressions of interest All applicants must submit an expression of Interest (EoI) by on 28 November 2018 by completing the form on the website. There will be a shortlisting panel and you will be informed whether you may continue with your application during the week commencing 3 December The form on the website will ask you to complete the following questions: Name, research organisation and contact details for the principal investigator What relevant experience do you have in convening a network of experts and in working with policy makers? (250 words) What relevant experience do you have managing a devolved budget? (250 words) What activities would your network prioritise to maximise the impact of this investment? (250 words) How do you plan to recruit and coordinate a network of experts? (250 words) 3

4 Please provide the name and the position of the relevant authority within your research organisation who is able to confirm the research organisation s support for this application. Full proposals Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will be sent guidance on how to apply through the Joint Electronic Submission System (Je-S) ( which must be done by 16:00 on 29 January Applicants must be registered with Je-S to submit a proposal and should refer to the attached detailed guidance for making Je-S applications. If you are not currently Je-S registered and intend to apply, please ensure that you allow sufficient time for registration as no extensions to the deadline will be permitted. Hard-copy, faxed or applications will not be accepted. An expert panel will assess the applications and then interview applicant principal investigators. We estimate these interviews will take place the week commencing the 18 February Eligibility Applicants must be based at a research organisation eligible for Research Council funding; see the UKRI website for a list of eligible organisations: ( All applicants should consult the ESRC Research Funding Guide ( which sets out the rules and regulations governing funding. The Guidance Notes for Applicants document provides details on the information that applicants will require to submit as part of their proposal. Assessment criteria For the sift panel, panel members will assess expressions of interest against the following criteria: Fit to scope of the call Appropriateness of proposed activities considering how you will work with the core audiences, namely Innovate UK, ESRC and the social science community, as well as any additional audiences fully justified in the application. For the interview panel, panel members will assess eligible proposals against the following criteria: Vision for the innovation evidence network including an understanding of the context and priority areas of focus for ESRC and Innovate UK, as well as how this network complements other investments and sources of evidence, and how the network will meet the aims of the call Appropriateness of proposed activities as above Value for money 4

5 Appropriateness of management structure considering how best to coordinate the network and encourage active participation, as well as the delineation of roles and responsibilities among the principal investigator and any coordinator and/or research assistant. Commissioning timetable Call published - 9 November 2018 Closing date for expressions of interest 16:00 on 28 November 2018 Closing date for full proposals 16:00 on 29 January at 2019 Interview panel week commencing 18 February 2019 Decision communicated week commencing 25 February 2019 Grant start date 1 June 2019 Contacts Any enquiries relating to this specification or ESRC research funding rules should be directed to: Charlie Dormer charlotte.dormer@esrc.ukri.org Telephone: