Secondments funding

Put your research into practice outside academia, and build a lasting relationships with non-academic partner organisations, with funding support.

Who can apply

You must be a member of the academic staff with a partner organisation based in the UK willing to host and support a UCL secondee. This partner could be a business, charity, NGO (non-governmental organisation), or a public sector organisation (for example, local/national government, a hospital, etc.).

The secondee will be a current UCL staff member or doctoral student. Early career researchers are especially encouraged to apply, as they particularly benefit from this experience.

What projects could qualify

Your project must increase or accelerate the impact of research.

While your project doesn’t need a link to previous or existing UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) grants, your proposed activity should align with the relevant UKRI research council’s portfolio – EPSRC or AHRC.

Projects arising from existing collaborations with partners may be eligible provided they have their own distinct milestones, outputs and outcomes. The role of the secondee must be an essential part of the project, and the benefits of their involvement clearly outlined.

Your proposal should demonstrate:

• Mutual expertise sharing: How the project will allow UCL and the prospective partner(s) to share their knowledge and expertise.
• Impact: How the project will increase or accelerate the impact of research, and measurable benefits for both organisations, such as developing new products, influencing policy, etc. 
• Personal and institutional benefits: How the secondee will benefit (for example, skills and development, industry exposure), and how UCL will benefit (for example, sharing best practices within the department)

Further details on eligibility requirements can be found in our secondments funding guide (Word).

Funding details

Amount: You can apply for up to £20,000 (EPSRC IAA) or £15,000 (AHRC IAA).

Start date: You can decide the most suitable start date for your project, but the earliest you can start is 3 March 2025. This is to allow time for the processing of your award and to ensure funds are available for your project start.

Duration: Funding typically supports a secondment of up to 3 months full-time or up to 6 months part-time (for doctoral students). As a secondee, you would ideally spend a minimum of 50% of the project based at your partner organisation’s premises. Funds must be spent fully by 31 March 2026. This is a hard deadline and project extensions beyond this date will not be possible.

Partner contribution: Your partner organisation must contribute at least 25%, either in cash or in-kind. Projects where the partner organisation(s) match the IAA funding and/or provide some cash co-funding will be prioritised. The contribution needs to be specific to the project and not part of a wider arrangement with the partner. Variations to this contribution may be acceptable in specific circumstances. Further details can be found in our secondments funding guide (Word).

When to apply

Applications will open on 14 October and close at 23:59 on 8 November 2024.

We'll aim to notify you of your outcome by Thursday, 20 February.

Submissions received outside published call dates will not be considered.

How to apply

We'd encourage you to get in touch early for advice on your application’s eligibility, whatever stage of development your project is at:

• For AHRC IAA applications, contact Kristina Glushkova (k.glushkova@ucl.ac.uk) and Rebecca Robinson (rebecca.j.robinson@ucl.ac.uk)
• For EPSRC IAA applications, contact the Knowledge Exchange team (knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.uk).

Application process:

1. Read our secondment funding guide (Word) for advice on completing your application and details of the documents we’ll need to see.
2. Read our guide to using the web application form (Word), and what information you'll need to have to hand before starting.
3. Prepare the costing spreadsheet (Excel) (you need to provide this as well as your Standalone Worktribe costings).
4. Fill in the web application form on our online portal. (You'll need your UCL login. Only one person can access the form. You can save and return to the form at any time.)

You can use the application template (Word) to share information with co-investigators or other colleagues if this is helpful. But applications must be submitted via the web application form (emailed applications will not be accepted).

If you have any feedback on the web form, please send to knowledge.exchange@ucl.ac.uk so we can improve the process. 

After you apply

1. Your proposal will be assessed by a member of the team to assess its eligibility and make sure it matches the funding criteria. 
2. If it does, at least two members of innovation-engaged UCL staff will review it. Your application will be assessed on its suitability for the scheme, feasibility, and potential for impact. 
3. The Knowledge Exchange team will consider the recommendations made by reviewers and make a recommendation to the Executive Director, UCL Innovation & Enterprise on whether to award or decline. They’ll make the final decision.

Funding source

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2022-26
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2022-26.