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The aim of the Bartlett Innovation Fund (BIF) is to provide funding for activities that generate, or support: enterprise collaborations, impact-related activities, and innovation learning initiatives.
This fund is currently closed for applications
All funds awarded through this scheme must be spent by 31 July 2023
About the fund
The aim of the Bartlett Innovation Fund is to provide funding for activities that generate, or support: innovation and enterprise collaborations, associated impact-related activities, and innovation learning initiatives. This includes innovation and enterprise activities that enable research innovation, and transform your knowledge and ideas into action. Projects should demonstrate measurable impact to all partners, and a clear strategy for impact tracking.
The BIF scheme is not intended to fund projects where the research itself is the primary aim/outcome of the work, but focuses on the three activity streams detailed in the guidance document.
Proposals must be led by a member of academic / teaching staff (including Research Associates and Teaching Fellows) based in The Bartlett Faculty. Proposals can include multiple colleagues across The Bartlett, and those based in other UCL Faculties or HEIs.
A total of £40,000 is available for this fund. In previous years projects have been awarded at the £10k level approximately, and we welcome larger projects that would particularly benefit from greater investment.
We would like to encourage applicants to view the Bartlett Innovation Fund as a means to provide additional support for our colleagues and our partners in their innovation and enterprise work, especially when this has been challenged, curtailed or changed due to the pandemic. We therefore encourage projects that have a focus on supporting economic recovery, and our climate change response. Applications that reflect the Bartlett’s Commitment to Change are particularly welcome, and applicants are encouraged to think creatively about challenges relating to travel and partnership development, and how the fund can create new opportunities in this space.
Information for applicants
- How to apply
This fund is currently closed for applications
All funds awarded in this round must be spent by 31 July 2023. Candidates are welcome to discuss ideas and their eligibility in advance of submission with the Research, Impact, Policy and Engagement team (bartlettfaculty-research@ucl.ac.uk).
Applications will be reviewed by a sub-committee appointed by the Vice Dean of Enterprise and the Bartlett Enterprise Advisory Group. Information on assessment criteria is detailed in the Guidance document.
A final report will be required on completion of the project, including a strategy for continued impact generation, tracking and evidencing.
Should your application be better suited to alternative funding at UCL, the panel may suggest you apply there in the first instance. We highly recommend that you consider the following funding pots before submitting your application:
- Evaluation
All successful project leads will be asked to fill out an evaluation form. The main aim of this form is help funded leads to find avenues for continuing the impact and potential of their projects. Download the current evaluation form here:
- Terms and conditions
- Proposals must be led by a member of academic / teaching staff (including Research Associates and Teaching Fellows) based in The Bartlett Faculty.
- Funds cannot be used to meet contracted staff salaries.
- Funds can be used for casual payments (including PhD students) and additional payments to existing staff, in accordance with UCL HR policies.
- Research post bridging can be included, in accordance with UCL HR policies, although this is not the primary aim of the fund.
- Estates and indirect costs cannot be funded.
- External partners may qualify as subcontractors – contact us with queries on this matter.
- Funds for this round must be spent by 31 July, 2023. This means all casual payments must be submitted to HR by 10 July, 2023 and all goods and services received and invoices paid by 31 July, 2023. This constraint includes staff time where costed, which will need to be processed in June 2023.
- Departments should only produce a Worktribe costing report as part of their application if researcher time is included.
- Individual Schools/Units are expected to manage the finance and HR administration for BIF grants.
- School / Unit Head of Department should be aware of BIF submissions and should be included on the submission email.
- Applicants who have previously been granted a BIF (or BEDF) award must submit a final report before they are eligible to apply for further funding from this Scheme.
- Any extension of time for the project needs to be agreed in advance with the Vice Dean of Enterprise, but all funds must be spent by 31 July, 2023.
