The application form consists of the following sections:
- Eligibility
- Statements (more information below)
- Upload supporting documents
The statement section is formed of four statements which applicants need to complete.
Applications shown to be plagiarised will not be considered.
Statements
Statement 1: What is your motivation for applying for this funding? (100-200 words)
Statement 2: How will the project be designed and how will project outputs align with overall Expert Group objectives? Please specify the study methodology as outlined in the call and include reference to any collaborations that will be facilitated in undertaking this work (maximum 500 words).
Statement 3: Please provide examples of relevant experience of the individual or team involved in project delivery (maximum 400 words).
Statement 4: Please outline how the proposal demonstrates an innovative approach to this topic and the wider benefits, to you / your institution / any project partners and wider society, that will be achieved as a result (maximum 400 words).
Supporting documents to upload:
- A workplan detailing how the required outputs will be delivered within the stated timelines
- The CVs of all individuals involved in the project collated into one file. Each CV should be a maximum of two pages in length.
- A budget breakdown outlining how the funds will be allocated.
- Letter of institutional support on institutional letterhead from the executive head or other senior member of the applicant’s institution to verify their support of the proposed initiative.
Eligible and Ineligible Costs
The grant can only be used for costs that are directly required to deliver the scoping study and online workshop. All costs must be reasonable, clearly justified, and directly linked to the proposed work.
The following categories of expenditure can be funded:
- Staff time for individuals directly contributing to the delivery of the work (e.g. academic staff, researchers, research assistants, PhD students), including institutional overhead (indirect) costs.
- Direct project costs required to complete the scoping study and workshop, such as:
- Data or literature access
- Survey or software licences
- Transcription, editing, or formatting
- Online workshop hosting or facilitation
- Small essential materials or consumables provided they are not classed as equipment (see detail below on ineligible costs)
- Reasonable travel and subsistence, only where essential for delivery and clearly justified. It is expected that travel will not be required as this is a desk-based study and online workshop.
All eligible costs must be itemised and directly related to the project activities.
The following categories of expenditure are ineligible:
- Equipment purchases over £500 (single items or combined items purchased together)
- Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, mobile phones, or cameras, regardless of cost
- General institutional costs not linked to the project (e.g., utilities, rent, unrelated staff time)
- Costs not directly tied to the scoping study or workshop
- Costs incurred outside the project dates
- Costs already funded from another source
- Contingency or Insurance premiums, including inflation or foreign exchange
- Taxes or duties that your institution can reclaim
Due diligence
The award of a grant is subject to standard due diligence checks, including confirmation of employment at an ACU member institution.