We anticipate that our first round of funding will be announced before the end of 2024, so please keep checking back to this page for more information on how you can apply.

Just over £2.2M is available over the next five years for research projects.

Only UK academic institutions can lead a project. A maximum of £100,000 (total project costs) is available per project. Projects must clearly align with one or more of the 5 key areas (Work Package 2-6). 

For more information on the application process, please visit Applications Process

We will fund two modes of projects:

Theoretically motivated projects (e.g. research that draws upon theory as the basis for enquiry, or as a means of researching a question, position, or relationship).

Empirically derived projects (e.g. research that is based on measurement and observation of real-world phenomena).

We are keen to support and encourage Early Career Researcher (ECR) led projects as a means of promoting development and community building for new scholars.

Project teams can apply for a maximum of £100,000.

Projects must be led by a UK Higher Education Institute (HEI) that is eligible for UKRI funding, but project teams can include international companies or charities who are eligible for UKRI funding. 

Project teams can also include in-kind support from companies/ charities/ research groups etc. both international and UK based. 

Projects will be funded at 80% fEC for UK research organisation costs (with the UK Research Organisations involved in projects contributing 20% fEC).   

Any international or exceptional costs such as non-academic or community partner organisations will be funded at 100% fEC via the lead institution.

Projects can run between 6-9mths.  There will be a fixed start date for all projects within each call, end dates will depend on agreed project duration. The start date will be released as part of each call. Projects will need to have an award letter in place before the agreed start date of the project. The terms and conditions will form part of the application process.  

Applicants will be asked to submit a risk register and an outline of deliverables as part of the application process. 

Only UK academic higher education institutions can apply to lead a project.  The project must be led by a UK University, but can have multiple UK academic partners. Project teams can also include funded, or in-kind support from companies/ charities/ research groups etc. both international and UK based.  Relationships with external partners will be managed by the project lead institution and due diligence needs to be undertaken.  

Project teams can only apply once per call.  Project teams cannot apply for follow on funding.  An individual cannot be named on more than one grant.   

If a project is unsuccessful for one call, they can reapply for future calls.  

Project leads and Co-Leads can be: 

• Academics working in a UK Higher Education Institute (HEI)
• A researcher holding an academic position (e.g. lecturer, or equivalent) or a research fellow with an employment contract that ends beyond the end of the project end date
• Early Career Researchers

Project members can also include project managers, project officers, administrators and technical staff.

There is no limit on the number of applications per organisation. 

All projects that meet the eligibility criteria and correctly complete the application form will be considered.

Key eligibility criteria: projects must clearly align with one or more of the SALIENT Work packages WPs (2-6). We want to support a broad and diverse portfolio of awards and activities, while ensuring a balanced spread across the work packages. 

Visit the eligibility pages for more information: Eligibility Criteria including due diligence and governance and control