Scheme 1 – Proof of Concept (PoC)

Proof of Concept Funding to Support Early Career Researchers at the Transition to Independent Academic Careers by enabling short, focused proof-of-concept projects that generate critical preliminary data. The aim is to de-risk new ideas, build confidence and evidence, and directly support future fellowship or first-grant applications aligned with UK Catalysis Hub III priorities.

Timing

  • Scheme 1 (Proof of Concept)
    Opens May, closes end of September, with awards made by end of November.

Applicant Eligibility

  • Applicants must be employed by a UKRI-eligible institution at the time of application.
  • Applicants must be PDRAs
    • be within 10 years of the end of their PhD, (career breaks and time away from research will be taken into account).
  • Contracts must extend beyond the duration of the award.
  • Visa costs are not covered by this scheme.

  • A letter of institutional approval must confirm that appropriate facilities and financial arrangements are in place.

What We Fund

The Flexible Fund supports postdoctoral salary, travel, and consumables only.
Indirect costs are not included and will be funded at 80% fEC.

Scheme 1 – Proof of Concept

  • Fixed-cost awards associated with  1–6 months PDRA salary plus consumables: 100% total £16,318.55, 80% total £13,054.84. Use of this budget must be detailed in the application

The funding is designed to support ECRs transitioning to an independent research career

Application

 

 

FAQs

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Applicants must:

  • Be a PDRA (not hold an independent position)
  • Be within 8 years of PhD (career breaks allowed)
  • Be employed at a UKRI-eligible institution
  • Demonstrate a clear pathway to independence

It is intended to support applications to 5-year or longer fellowships or major starting grants, such as:

  • UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship
  • Royal Society URF
  • ERC Starting Grant
  • RAEng Research Fellowship

It is not intended to support 2-year postdoctoral fellowship applications

Yes. A Head of Department letter must confirm hosting arrangements and name a mentor or supervisor.

1–6 months investigator salary plus consumables.