IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
CALL FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS
This £2m Research and Partnership Development call for the Next Generation of Immersive Experiences supports the development of early-stage research partnerships that will explore the creation of new immersive experiences addressing three key themes: Memory, Place and Performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The call document provides the definitive guide for applications including the deadlines.
Industry Partners
What’s your definition of non-academic partner? Are registered charities, non-profits, etc. allowed?
Can you have more than one non-academic partner?
The maximum that can be accessed by all the non-academic partners is 20% of the grant total so this may present a limit, but we’ve not specified an upper limit to partners.
You’ll just need to justify everyone’s inclusion and explain what they bring to the panel.
What’s the motivation for non-academic partners to get involved, especially if they have more lucrative projects?
This call is very much about building a partnership to address the call’s aims.
Can Independent Research Organisations (IRO) lead these applications?
There’s a list of eligible IROs on the AHRC website ( http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/funding/research/iro/). If you are not an eligible IRO then you can still be involved via the non-academic partner route for this call.
International Partners
Are non-academic partners or companies outside the UK allowed?
If applications feature a non-academic partner from outside the UK then they need to be very clear throughout the application as to what distinctive input the partner(s) from outside the UK will be making and to be very clear on how spending this portion of the budget outside of the UK will benefit the field of Immersive Experiences within the UK.
Applicants will need to show within their application that relevant expertise is not available within the UK and also demonstrate that they have considered issues surrounding access to research data and IP.
Principal Investigaors collaborating with overseas organisations in any capacity are required to have assurances in place before the start of the project regarding access to research data, outputs, resource material, etc. as well as have an understanding of the expectations of the overseas organisation regarding ownership of material.
Applications should also ensure that the majority of funds to be spent across the lifetime of the grant and the majority of the work carried out should be by UK based researchers and organisations.
Can you have international members of the team?
Non-academic partners based outside the UK are also permitted (see question above)
Attitude to Risk
Is a project seen as more risky if a project attempts to bridge two of the themes at one?
The assessing panel will be looking at the cohesiveness and quality of the bid; you should demonstrate that you understand the risks in the project outlined and the steps you will be taking to mitigate those risks.
Assessment Panel
How will the expert panel be split between AHRC and EPSRC?
We are aware that the make up of the panel is critical and are working hard to ensure that the panel is suitable.
We have a good idea of in the remit of what is likely to come so will recruit practitioners and experts in these fields. If there’s gaps when the apps come in, we will look to invite further members.
Will the pitch to peer meeting happen in London?
What are the metrics for assessments?
What are the assessment panel logistics and timings?
The current plan is for a two day meeting and teams will have 10 minutes to pitch, followed by 10 minutes of Q and A.
Final details will be sent to all applicants who will be pitching.
Themes: Memory, Place & Performance
Can applicants choose one theme, or more than one?
In the application it should be clear which one(s) you’re addressing and how the proposal will address the theme(s) chosen.
Will funding be split equally between the three themes?
Partnerships, Disciplines and Applications
Can the academic partners be at the same institution?
Are there limits on the number of applications from a single institution?
Can an academic partner be attached to more than one project?
Academics must also ensure that they are not applying for work already funded elsewhere.
If the proposal builds from existing work then the application should be clear how what is being requested represents something beyond that which has already been funded.
Can an applicant be both academic and non-academic?
Does the thrust of the research have to come from the academic partner? Or can it be led by the industry partner?
Do you expect any bid to include both arts/humanities and also social science researchers?
We do not require researchers to be based in a particular school or department. The panel will be looking at the areas of research proposed and the expertise of the partnership as a whole.
Will this use a standard grants application process?
Do partnerships have to be new or could it be someone you’ve worked together with beforehand?
If a museum is part of the same legal entity as the academic partner, does that count as an industry partner? Can the museum part bid on its own?
Please contact the AHRC if you are unsure about the eligibility of a proposed partner in good time before submission.
Are you interested in letters of support from people that they will engage in 18 months time if the project gets more money?
If a partner is interested but not part of the project then they can be mentioned in the application but we don’t want a letter of support from them.
The call document is clear about when a letter is required. Extra letters run the risk of being removed before the panel see the applications.
Project Funding
How open are you to equipment being included in the proposals?
Is the call equally funded by AHRC and EPSRC?
What’s the split between project costs and academic costs?
Can you apply if you have an AHRC grant already?
Is the £75k fully economically costed?
Scaling and Commercial Viability
Does it have to produce a commercial output?
Commercial outputs might be part of that bid for longer term funding but is not a requirement of this current call.
Intellectual Property
What are the arrangements for IP?
Applicants must have considered the IP implications of the work they are proposing and be clear within the application that they have suitable arrangements in place for all partners.