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New role types for UKRI funding applications
14 June 2023
UK Research and Innovation (URKI) recently announced the introduction of new role types for funded projects across all research councils. The changes will only apply to applications made using the new UKRI Funding Service from 22 May 2023 onwards.
On 25 May 2023, UKRI announced revisions to project role types for opportunities being managed through the new Funding Service Portal. The changes aim to ensure consistent project role titles are used across all UKRI Research Councils.
As many of you will know, UKRI's JeS system is being phased out by the end of the year and all UKRI applications are moving over to their new Funding Service portal. The new system is being rolled out iteratively as and when more calls are run through the system.
What has changed?
UKRI has reduced the number of role types from 35 to 12 in the Funding Service system. This includes the introduction of new ‘project lead’ and 'co-lead' roles, which replace the previous 'principal investigator' and 'co-investigator' titles.
There are also changes to non-academic roles. Technicians will now be classified as ‘specialist’ or ‘technician’ depending on the nature of the role. Additionally, roles currently classed as ‘other staff’ are now becoming more nuanced, with the creation of new ‘grant manager’ and ‘professional enabling staff’ titles.
Our Award Services team will be seeking clarification from UKRI on the implications for direct and indirect costs and will issue further guidance in due course.
What do I need to do?
If you are planning to apply for a funding opportunity that is being managed via the UKRI Funding Service you should check the call details in advance to find out which roles are available, to ensure you use the right roles in your application.
If you are unsure about which role types to use when preparing an application, please contact our Award Services Pre-Award team for advice.
Funding opportunities being run on the Je-S system or Innovate UK’s Innovation Funding Service are not affected by the change.
Where can I find further information?
UKRI has published detailed guidance on its website, which sets out the different roles on a project team when applying for a funding opportunity through its Funding Service.