Research Funders' Information

All panels and committees are deferred.

All applications submitted for the current funding round are expected to be considered in the autumn.

Where an application has been made for the renewal of an existing grant, bridge-funding may be provided.

Clinical Research Training Fellows (CRTFs) and research nurses, at their discretion, being seconded back to the NHS to support front line service delivery

For clinical academics seconded back to the NHS, our expectation is that the NHS will cover your salary whilst working on the COVID-19 response.

We are forced to look for savings across our current portfolio – including live grants. Cuts are made strategically to limit the damage on the community and make provisions that will secure the long-term sustainability of the UK cancer research.

Cancer Research UK will write to you with your revised grant values in April and May 2020

More flexibility with the use of underspend and budget virements to cover exceptional and additional costs due to COVID-19

Salaries funded by the grant can be charged to the grant throughout this period (even when working at home)

Budgets for training accounts for non-clinical PhD students and the clinical academic training programmes for clinical PhD students have been protected.

No-cost extensions are possible

Delayed start dates are possible

Project suspensions are possible

Costed extensions are not possible

  • EPSRC - no separate guidance - see UKRI
  • ESRC - no separate guidance - see UKRI
  • Leverhulme Trust
    Update 23 March 2020
    COVID-19 information for applicants and grant holders
    https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/news/covid-19-information-applicants-and-grant-holders
    - All calls remain open
    - Deadline are not changing
    - Already incurred cost for cancelled activities and the cost of re-organising activities are eligible within the maximum agreed project budget
    - No-cost extensions to grants are possible
    - Delays of start dates are possible
    - If there is the potential for research to be lost or severely compromised, then an application for a costed extension may be considered
  • NERC - no separate guidance - see UKRI
  • Research Professional
    Update 25 March 2020
    Up-to date Covid-19 news
    https://www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/world/Covid-19.html
  • UKRI
    Update 9 April 2020
    https://www.ukri.org/news/coronavirus-impact-on-ukri-supported-research/
    Coronavirus: support for PhD students
    o Full details and latest guidance here:
    https://www.ukri.org/news/government-announces-support-for-phd-students-as-a-result-of-coronavirus-disruption/
    o UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funded doctoral students in their final year will receive an extension to their research with additional grants, known as a costed extension, of up to six months
    o For final year PhD awards that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
    o UKRI FAQ document for PhD students (PDF, 124KB) and information on training grants.
    o Deadlines on open funding opportunities will be extended: https://www.ukri.org/files/funding/calls-april-may/
    o No-cost extensions to grants impacted by coronavirus will be allowed.
    o Students should continue to receive their stipends and extensions to submission dates should be awarded when needed
    o If travel has to be cancelled due to official advice or health conditions, cost will be reimbursed (and if not covered by underspend, small additional funds can be made available)
  • Update 3 April 2020
    Coronavirus: Impact on UKRI-supported research
    Full details and latest guidance here:
    https://www.ukri.org/news/coronavirus-impact-on-ukri-supported-research/
    - Pragmatic approach
    - funding systems - Je-S, IFS and _connect - are operating as normal
    - review of call deadlines and, if required, extend or reopen calls
    - No cost extensions allowed
    - to avoid unnecessary pressure on students, extensions to submission dates should be awarded
    - If travel has to be cancelled due to official advice or health conditions, cost will be reimbursed (and if not covered by underspend, small additional funds can be made available)
  • Update 30 March 2020
    Open letter to the research and innovation community from Professor Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation:
    https://www.ukri.org/news/open-letter-to-the-research-and-innovation-community/
  • UKRI Coronavirus hub (incl. calls addressing COVID-19)
    https://www.ukri.org/research/coronavirus/
  • Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)
    Update 26 March 2020
    - cost approved by WEFO and featured within the projects business plan continue to be eligible – including staff cost
    - Sick pay is eligible cost
    - Already incurred cost for cancelled activities may be eligible, if they cannot be recovered from the provider or from the travel insurance, if reasonable steps have been taken to minimise the cost.
    - Project extensions (up to end of 2023 at the latest) or changes to planned contractual obligations may be considered case-by-case
    - Where there is a need for operation/ project staff to be redeployed to undertake urgent work on minimising the impact of COVID 19, please contact your Project Manager