Skills and Knowledge Transfer Awards

Skills and Knowledge Transfer grants support the wider adoption and use of models, tools and technologies with proven 3Rs impacts through the transfer of knowledge, skills and expertise. Applications from any area of medical, biological or veterinary research are within remit; those that integrate a range of disciplines are particularly encouraged. 

Awards are for up to 24 months with the amount requested dependent on the science and limited to a maximum of £75k (80% FEC). 

Scheme remit

• The model/tool/technology, upon which the application is based, must be at a development stage appropriate for adoption by another laboratory. Some validation work to establish that the 3Rs approach is robust and reproducible in the end-user(s) lab is permitted.
• All applications to this scheme must include both the ‘developer’ and ‘end-user(s)’ of the model/tool/technology. Either party may be identified as the primary investigator, and the other(s) must be co-investigator(s) or project partner(s).

Joint CRUK-NC3Rs awards

This is the third year of our collaboration with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) for the Skills and Knowledge Transfer grant call. CRUK will contribute up to £62.5k for grants that seek to obtain 3Rs impact within the field of cancer research. 

Additional eligibility criteria apply for applicants wishing to apply for a joint CRUK-NC3Rs grant and awards made under this collaboration will be subject to joint CRUK-NC3Rs terms and conditions.

Establishment eligibility

Any UK research establishment including:

• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
• Independent Research Organisations (IROs)
• Research Council (RC) Institutes
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)*

Individual eligibility

Applicants should be UK-based researchers who can demonstrate that they:

• Will direct the proposed research
• Will be actively engaged in accomplishing the project’s aims
• Hold a graduate degree – the minimum formal qualification required. However, it would normally be expected that an applicant has been awarded a PhD. Applications involving less experienced researchers should be made in collaboration with a more senior colleague 

*The definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) used by the NC3Rs is set out in the European Commission Recommendation of 6 May 2003.

Eligibility criteria for joint CRUK-NC3Rs awards

• Applicants must hold a current Cancer Research UK (CRUK) grant, or have held a CRUK grant in the previous 18 months prior to the call deadline or, at the time of application, be a group leader at a CRUK core funded institute. Confirmation must be included in a cover letter with the application.
• The Research Organisation (RO) must not be in receipt of research funding from the tobacco industry or have any links to the tobacco industry as outlined in ‘CRUK’s Code of Practice on Tobacco Industry Funding to Universities’ policy. A statement to this effect must be included within an accompanying cover letter at the time of application.

Further criteria and information can be found in the additional eligibility criteria. Prospective applicants should ensure that they meet these criteria prior to application and can contact either the CRUK team or the NC3Rs Office should further information be required. Applications for the CRUK-NC3Rs joint award will not be accepted if the above eligibility criteria are not met.

Overseas researchers

Overseas researchers cannot be Primary Investigators but can be included as collaborators. Overseas co-applicant status can be obtained in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the NC3Rs; approval must be sought before applying.

Resubmissions

The NC3Rs does not allow resubmission of previously unsuccessful proposals, unless explicitly invited by the Panel. 

Proposals previously declined by the NC3Rs will not be considered by another Research Council or funder within 12 months (from the date of submission to the original Research Council) unless substantially revised. More information can be found in the NC3Rs Applicant and Grant Holder Handbook.

Applicants are advised to read and refer to the NC3Rs Applicant and Grant Holder Handbook which contains more detailed information on submitting both an outline and full application.

Outlines and full applications received after 4pm on the deadline date will not be considered, without exception.

Outline stage

Before submitting a full application applicants are required to complete an outline of the research proposal (see Downloads below). Please email completed outlines to 3rsgrants@nc3rs.org.uk

Submitting a full application

We use the Research Councils' joint electronic submission system (Je-S) and applications are processed by the RCUK Shared Business Services. Invited, full proposals must be submitted via Je-S.

Applications are assessed by the NC3Rs Skills and Knowledge Transfer Assessment Panel. The following criteria are taken into consideration when making the funding decisions:

• Potential impact on the 3Rs at both a local and international level
• Quality of the science for which the model/tool/technology is being used
• Quality of skills transfer plan
• Expertise and track record of the team
• Risk management strategy
• Value for money
• Strategic relevance to the highlight notice (where appropriate)

A triage process will occur prior to the Panel meeting. Applications will be reviewed by the Panel to identify those which are not competitive. 

In order to maintain transparency and integrity of the peer review process the NC3Rs has adopted the MRC policy on peer review. Please note the Panel assessment guidance and scoring criteria below.

Application process

Guidance for applicants and award holders is also available on the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) website.

Additional information for joint CRUK-NC3Rs award

Assessment criteria