Knowledge Exchange Opportunities scheme

The scheme provides the opportunity to apply for funding for knowledge exchange activities at any stage of the research lifecycle, and is aimed at maximising the impact of social science research outside academia.

The flexibility built into the scheme is intended to encourage applicants to think creatively about knowledge exchange, and applications are welcomed for either a single activity or a combination of activities; be it setting up a network to help inform the development of a research proposal, arranging an academic placement with a voluntary or business organisation, or developing tools such as podcasts and videos aimed at communicating the results of research to the general public, or developing existing research to make it more applicable to policy or practice.

Important changes to the Knowledge Exchange Opportunities scheme

Following comments from the community on the difficulty of securing cash contributions from user stakeholders, we have changed the scheme's co-funding requirement so that partner contributions can now consist of any combination of cash or in-kind resources. The scheme has also been broadened to allow applications for new applied research, provided this is user-led or in collaboration with a user partner. Further details regarding these changes are outlined in the guidance documents below.

The next call will open on 9 April 2012 and close at 16.00 on 7 June 2012.

Call documents, including the scheme guidance are provided below:

Fellowship opportunity with the Government Equalities Office (GEO)

Applications are welcomed from mid-career academics for a pre-defined fellowship opportunity with the Government Equalities Office (GEO), a directorate within the Home Office. The main objective of the project is to determine whether or not legislation, which has often been the default option used by Governments in the UK to address inequality and discrimination, is the most effective lever of achieving change available. Further details are provided in the fellowship specification below.

Please note that applications to this Fellowship must be made through the Knowledge Exchange Opportunities scheme, following the Je-S guidance notes provided above.

We aim to inform applicants of a decision on all applications within 26 weeks of the closing date for the call. Funding decisions will then be advertised on this website.

Please direct any enquiries to your Research Office in the first instance. Alternatively, contact us at knowledgeexchange@esrc.ac.uk.

Future calls

  • 20 August 2012 - 2 October 2012
  • 3 December 2012 - 7 February 2013
  • 3 April 2013 - 6 June 2013
  • 5 August 2013 - 3 October 2013

Previous successful grants

Other knowledge exchange opportunities

Additional relevant initiatives

Further information

If you would like to find out more about knowledge exchange opportunities, please email us: knowledgeexchange@esrc.ac.uk