A call for applications to the following schemes was opened on the 5 November 2010:

• Business, Public and Third Sector Placements
• Follow-on Funding
• Knowledge Exchange Small Grants

Collaborations between academic researchers, businesses, the public and third sectors are one of the most effective mechanisms for knowledge exchange. The ESRC funds and manages a wide range of schemes that encourage knowledge exchange and greater interaction between the social science research community and research users.

The ESRC is issuing a harmonised call for the schemes above, providing funding to undertake additional knowledge exchange and impact generation activities that can demonstrate the potential for economic, social, policy and/or practice benefit(s). Please note, the schemes are not designed to fund new research. This call will be followed by staggered closed calls each year, the next call will be released in spring 2011.

The knowledge exchange activity must be focused on promoting the application of social science within non-academic communities and should help to facilitate the co-production and application of knowledge. The target/main audience of the proposed activity must be non-academic stakeholders within the private, public or third sectors. We encourage applicants to think creatively about the format of the knowledge exchange/engagement projects they put forward.

All applications must demonstrate links to the ESRC strategic objectives and Research Challenges and the relevant sector engagement strategy.  We strongly encourage applications that can demonstrate engagement with Business Sector organisations in particular the financial services sector.

Further information for the specific schemes mentioned above are available on the Knowledge Exchange Opportunities section of the ESRC website.

How to Apply

All applications should be made via the Research Council Joint Electronic Submission System (Je-S) and submitted to ESRC by the final deadline of 4.00pm on 13^th January 2011. It is recommended that applicants allow sufficient time to complete the submission process as the deadline date is final and further submissions will not be permitted. 

If you have any queries, please contact the Knowledge Transfer Team.

Kind regards

ESRC Knowledge Transfer Team