JUST Centre Commissioning Fund: Frequently asked questions

Is this a country-specific call, and only limited to work in the UK?

To apply you need to be eligible for UKRI funding, which means your institution would need to be in the UK.

Projects which include an international comparative element are acceptable however core research must be on, and applicable to, the UK context.

What type of impact are you expecting from us that we can achieve within the few months of the project?

It could be that you show a difference has been made to somebody or a process, or that your project takes something forward for communities and/or policymakers.

We’re looking for a clear indication that your project will make a real difference. Equally, if you’re filling a well-known gap in the evidence base that you don’t think someone else is currently about to report on, or investing a large amount of money in answering, this could be really valuable.

Can I apply as a PhD student, or do I need to apply with my supervisor?

No – PhD students are normally not eligible to apply.

Is there any additional weight placed on interdisciplinary teams?

Interdisciplinary work is very important to us, as we are spread over a considerable range of disciplines and sectors. However, we want to give applicants the freedom to do something they think would add the greatest value and make the most sense in terms of the project.

Would project partners be co-applicants or partners if we’re part-funding them?

Co-leads can be other academics from yours or another institution eligible for UKRI funding. It is also possible to have Co-Leads from non-academic partner institutions. There should be at least one of these in your bid. They can be funded by the project or their participation can count as a contribution in-kind.

Can I apply with a project where the research has already been done?

No - the Fund is designed to generate new research. Projects can connect to an ongoing body of research, but the funding be directed towards a specific piece of research.

What types of projects would you not be looking to fund?

Projects that are not connected to any community initiative, that don’t have a partner, and/or are standalone theoretical research. Projects must engage in research with community or policy partners.

We’re very much outcome-focused, and trying to drive a change, gain new knowledge, and put new tools into the hands of people and organisations who are directly involved in just climate action.

I’m currently working for a research institute. Can we apply for the UKRI funding in our own right as a research institute?

Some research institutes are eligible for UKRI funding, but not all of them. So we would recommend that you discuss this with a senior colleague in your institution. You can also check the UKRI website here.

What are eligible costs under this grant?

Find out what costs are eligible for UKRI funding here.

Can I apply independent of an institution or university?

You will not be able to apply independently. To be eligible for funding, you will have to apply through a UKRI-recognised institution. We are only able to fund institutions that meet UKRI eligibility requirements for funding.

Can I include costs for additional researchers, organisations, or charities?

As long as their time or service is costed into your budget in your application for this Call, this should be fine. However, please note that this will still be reviewed by our Management Board.

Can I include co-applicants alongside myself for this call?

Yes, you will be able to add co-applicants for this call via the Flexigrant portal. Please note that if you do add co-applicants, they must also approve the application form from their side so you can finally submit it yourself.

Do I need an institutional account or approval for Flexigrant? Will my application go through the institution approval pool before submitting it to JUST?

Institutional login is not required for this. For all applications submitted, it is assumed that it has been discussed with your institution. The application will come straight to us.

How will you assess applications by ECRs?

We will favour projects led by ECRs, defined as within 7 years of PhD completion, allowing for appropriate career breaks (e.g. parental or other caring leave, work outside academia, periods working part-time), as part of the objective of building research capacity. In the form, applicants can self-identify as an ECR and there is a box to explain how you think you meet the definition.

ECR status will not be used as a criteria in the scoring system in the first stage of our evaluation. It will be used to help shape the overall portfolio of awards by the management board for the fund.

There is no exclusion of more experienced researchers from applying to the fund and this criteria will be evaluated alongside other considerations by the board - thematic and geographic spread, and the JUST Centre’s EDI Policy, in particular.

Are research projects focused on climate resilience and adaption eligible, or those outside the priority themes?

While the focus is on mitigation and low-carbon living, projects addressing climate resilience and adaptation are also welcome, reflecting the UK’s evolving policy and societal context. Projects not fitting neatly into the five priority themes are not excluded; quality and distinctiveness are also considered, and strong proposals outside these themes may still be funded.

Can you apply if you are a co-investigator or project co-lead on another ESRC grant?

Being a co-investigator or project co-lead on another ESRC grant does not affect eligibility for this scheme.

What types of non-academic partnerships are you looking for, and can you partner with more than one organisation?

There is no restriction on the number of non-academic partners. The logic and needs of the project should guide partner involvement, though cost implications must be considered. Projects can be community, citizen, or business-focused, including SMEs, as long as they fit within the JUST Centre’s themes.