Scheme A FAQs

Your project must meet ALL of the following eligibility criteria:

• Led by a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) or research organisation – Check UKRI eligibility rules and definitions.
• Preference will be given to those that involve Early Career Researcher (ECR) or Mid Career Researchers (MCR) as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator
• Co-produced funding submission between academic leads and non-academic partners.
• Involve public or community engagement – Either in project design or delivery
• Deliverable within 12 months – Provide evidence to demonstrate this, including evaluation and communication /reporting outputs
• Budget under £40,000 – Must demonstrate value for money.

PI’s will be limited to one application in each round of the Challenge Fund: Seedcorn Projects.

We actively encourage applications from across all four UK nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Geographic diversity will be weighted in our selection process where possible.

Early Career Researcher Definition

An early career researcher (ECR) is someone who is either:

• Within 8 years of completing their PhD (or equivalent research degree), OR
• Within 8 years of their first academic/research appointment if they do not hold a PhD, OR
• Has experienced career breaks (caring responsibilities, health issues, career change) and can demonstrate ECR status

Important: Time limits are inclusive of career breaks.

Mid Career Researcher Definition

A mid career researcher (MCR) is someone who is:

• Will usually have completed one or two substantial periods of research after their PhD (or equivalent research training)
• May have directed or closely guided the work of others
• May have recently been appointed to their first independent academic position.

If you’re uncertain about your ECR/MCR eligibility, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Yes, as long as your organisation is eligible for UKRI research funding. This includes some research institutes, NHS organisations, and other research bodies. Check the UKRI eligibility rules or contact us if unsure.

Yes, if they meet the ECR or MCR definition and their institution allows them to hold PI status. Some institutions have specific requirements for who can be a PI – please check with your research office.

Projects must be led by a UK institution. International researchers can be team members or partners, but the PI must be based at a UK HEI/research organisation.

* note the HEI/RO applicant is responsible for any required due diligence on partners.

Yes. While international partnerships and comparative approaches are welcomed, the primary focus should be on UK climate-health challenges and delivery should primarily benefit UK communities or policy.

Yes, you can bid if you have received other funding. Note that this should be for work that is different from previously funded activities (and should not duplicate other activities funded as part of the Net Positive Centre award). Your project should offer something new or complementary.

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) – A concise submission (one-pager, video, or alternative format) due 11 May 2026. Up to 12 projects will be shortlisted.

Due to the expected volume of applicants, feedback will not be provided to those unsuccessful at this stage.

Stage 2: Full Application – Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a detailed proposal by 10 Sept 2026. Final decisions by 12 Nov 2026.

You have three options:

1. Written document (recommended): Use our Application template, max 500 words (3000 characters) for project outline.
2. Video: Max 5 minutes, must cover same content as expected in the 500 words one-pager, please include transcript in the application text box.
3. Alternative format: Must be pre-approved by contacting us first [email protected]

Individuals can be involved in multiple applications but can only be PI on one application per round. ECRs and MCRs can be Co-I on multiple applications.

You may resubmit before the deadline. Only your final submission (last received) will be reviewed. Ensure your Project title clearly indicates it’s a resubmission.

No. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. We recommend submitting at least 24 hours before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Online Application form only for document-based EOIs. For videos, provide a link to YouTube (unlisted) or shared drive link or Vimeo in the online submission form.

The EOI template is designed to fit the maximum (3000 characters / 500 words total for project outline). Longer submissions may not be fully reviewed.

Not at EOI stage. Focus on clearly communicating your project idea. References can be included in the full application if shortlisted.

At EOI stage, prioritize clear text. If an image significantly clarifies your project, you may include one small diagram or image. Visual aids are more appropriate for the full application stage.

We are following UKRI guidelines. Please see: Use of generative artificial intelligence in application preparation and assessment.

Your project must be co-produced between academic leads and non-academic partners. Use the development period (30 March – 11 May) to secure partnerships.

We do not need you to supply a letter of support at the OIE stage but you must have at least one confirmed partner with whom you will co-develop your proposal if selected for the full application stage.

A partnership involves organisations or groups with a meaningful, defined role in your project – not just providing a letter of support. Partners should co-design, co-deliver, or actively participate in the research/activities.

Use our support mechanisms:

• Launch webinar: Guidance on partnership development
• Online noticeboard: Advertise your project or browse opportunities
• Existing networks: Reach out to community groups, policy contacts, or academic networks

Yes, but the project must be UK-led and UK-focused. International partners should bring specific expertise or comparative perspective that strengthens the UK-focused work.

No. At EOI stage, indicate partnership status (confirmed/in discussion) and briefly explain the partner’s role.

Partner: Active role in project delivery, co-production, or decision-making

Stakeholder: Interested party, may provide input or be consulted, but not actively involved in delivery

Competitive applications have genuine partnerships, not just stakeholder interest.

Public engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.(The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement)

At the Centre, our engagement activities can be split into two categories:

Public Engagement with research

This includes a broad array of activities that aim to share knowledge, foster collaborations or partnerships, gather insight or opinions or inform decision-making. For example:

• Artist collaborations
• Knowledge exchange activities
• Communities of practice
• Scoping or insight workshops
• Interactive science workshops or events

Engaged research

This is about actively involving others in our research design and delivery – not just as participants – but as collaborators and co-producers of knowledge. This might include the initial exploration of the issue to co-designing the question, methods and/ or impact activities of that research.

For more information, please see this blog post.

While creative approaches and partnerships may not be appropriate for all projects funded through the challenge fund, we welcome proposals that demonstrate meaningful engagement with arts-based and creative practices.

Despite growing recognition of culture and the arts as potential resources for health promotion and climate action, the specific role of the arts in addressing climate-related health impacts remains under-explored and sub-optimally integrated into public health and environmental policy frameworks.

Bahr, E., et all (2025). The role of the arts at the intersection of climate change and public Health: findings from an international survey.Arts & Health, 1–20.

The Net Positive Centre recognises the vital partnership role that cultural organisations, creative agencies, and independent artists can play in shaping climate and health research, action, and policy in the UK. Through this fund, we aim to strengthen connections between artists, cultural organisations, researchers, policy makers, and lived experience—doing so in ways that are hopeful, human, and solutions-focused.

More than Translation and Dissemination

While we acknowledge the important role that arts and cultural practices play in communicating, translating, and disseminating research, we are particularly interested in projects that go beyond these functions. We encourage proposals that explore how creative practices can be embedded across all stages of the research process, including the development and use of creative tools, methods, models, and data.

Co-design and collaborative approaches with cultural partners are strongly encouraged. We are keen to see how artists and creative practitioners are meaningfully involved as co-producers of research, rather than contributors at the margins.

We are also interested in how your project will contribute to increased confidence, capability, and discourse around climate change and health within the creative sector.

Applicants are invited to consider the role of both creative processes and outputs (including non-traditional outputs) across the short, medium, and long term.

We welcome a broad understanding of creativity and arts-based practice. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Visual arts
• Theatre, music, comedy, and dance
• Oral history and museum practice
• Craft
• Creative writing (e.g. poetry, short stories)
• Creative digital technologies (e.g. serious games, interactive storytelling, virtual or immersive experiences)
• Design-led practices
• Creative facilitation methods

We expect applicants to demonstrate careful consideration of ethical and sustainability issues relating to creative and arts-based practices.

Applicants should ensure that artists and creative practitioners are fairly compensated and are strongly encouraged to use Artist Union rates of pay in their budgets.

Funding is at 80% of the 100% full economic cost (fec) of the proposed project. The lead HEI/RO applicant must be committed to provide the 20%.

Eligible costs typically include:

• Staff time (research, project management, administrative support)
• Consumables and materials (excluding laptops)
• Travel and subsistence (with sustainable travel prioritised)
• Public engagement activities
• Venue hire
• Evaluation and dissemination costs
• Sub contracting where appropriate EG/ Self-employed artists

All subcontracted activities must be subject to normal competitive purchasing principles. ESRC requires that subcontracts over £10,000 (£8,333 exclusive of VAT) are subject to external competition to ensure best value for money through competitive purchasing processes.

Where subcontracted activities are expected to exceed £25,000 (£20,830 exclusive of VAT) the research organisation’s full tendering procedures must be followed. This is as per the headline Terms and Conditions.

A full 100% fec costing including overheads and indirect costs is required following TRAC methodology, which is standard for all HEI and research organisations. This will be required at full application.

Absolutely. Apply for what your project needs. “Value for money” is a key criterion, so ensure your budget is justified and realistic, whatever the amount.

• Funding is provided through the University of Exeter’s invoicing system
• Payments will be made quarterly in arrears based on actual spend.
• Funding is inclusive of any VAT that maybe incurred. This should be included in full application costings.
• Funding is at 80% of the 100% full economic cost (fec) of the proposed project.

Your institution will need to invoice the University of Exeter and include relevant evidence (more information to be provided at full application stage). Check with your finance office about their processes.

If you’re the PI or a team member, yes – but be realistic about the time you’ll dedicate. If you’re already funded full-time by another source, you may not be able to claim additional salary. Check with your research office.

At EOI stage, provide your best estimate and consider your own institutions requirements. If shortlisted, you can refine the budget for the full application, but it must be within 10% of your EOI estimate (not exceeding £40,000)

Generally, we cannot fund:

• Costs already covered by other funding sources
• Any equipment purchases
• Recurring costs beyond the project period
• Activities outside the project scope, or agreed project dates.

When in doubt, contact us before applying: [email protected]

The headline award terms and conditions have strict conditions regarding competitive purchasing process and tendering procedures and full details will be provided at award.

Yes! We strongly encourage ECR or MCR led projects. ECR or MCR as PI scores more highly than ECR as Co-I in our assessment criteria.

If an ECR leaves academia or changes institutions during the project, contact us immediately. We’ll work with you to find a solution. The project may continue with adjustments.

Projects should commence as soon as possible after decisions are announced on 12 Nov 2026

No. Costs incurred before your official project start date are not eligible for reimbursement.

Ideally projects will be completed in a maximum of 12 months. Plan for contingencies in your proposal. If serious unforeseen issues arise, contact us immediately.

As part of the funding requirements, successful applicants will be asked to submit a short report (approximately 500–1,000 words) at the end of the project within the 12 month completion window.

This report should outline the key outputs and learnings to date, describe how the funding supported your work, and highlight the main achievements and impact of the project.

This depends on your project type. Examples include:

• Draft publications or reports
• Toolkits or resources
• Training courses or curricula
• Policy briefs
• Artistic works or exhibitions
• Community engagement outputs
• Data sets
• Case Studies

Please detail expected outputs in your application.

If your research involves human participants, personal data, or sensitive topics, you’ll need ethics approval from your institution. You will need to outline ethics approval timelines into your project plan and full application.

Funded projects must comply with UKRI data requirements, and data management and ethical protocols at your own institution.

Yes. You’ll receive an automated email confirming receipt. If you don’t receive this within 24 hours, please contact us.

Due to the volume of applications, we cannot provide individual status updates. Key dates are:

• EOI deadline: 11 May 2026 5pm BST
• Shortlist notification: 25 June 2026

No individual feedback is provided at EOI stage due to the expected volume of applications.

Yes! We encourage you to strengthen your proposal and reapply in Round 2.

You’ll be invited to submit a full application by 10 Sept 2026. We’ll provide detailed guidance, a full application template, and support during this development period.

Full applications are more detailed than EOIs.  Guidance will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

Core criteria:

Your application should demonstrate:

• Academic rigour and clear research objectives
• Value for money
• Feasibility of delivery within the specified time frame
• Strong commitment to collaboration across disciplines and sectors

EOI stage applications will be assessed against and include at least two of our six Foundational Principles and against all at Full Application

1. Inter-disciplinary working and knowledge exchange
2. Demonstrating a needs-led approach
3. Involving communities in meaningful ways
4. Identifying barriers to action on climate and health
5. Advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
6. Environmental sustainability in project delivery

We actively encourage applications from across all four UK nations (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales).

Up to 3 projects per round (6 total across Rounds 1 and 2), with a maximum of £40k per project and £120k total per round.

No predetermined preferences. The fund is intentionally flexible to support diverse approaches – from empirical studies to arts-based activities to policy engagement. Quality, alignment with our principles, and feasibility are what matter most.

We aim for representation across all four UK nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). If projects are otherwise equal, geographic diversity may be a tiebreaker. However, quality and fit with criteria are the primary factors.

EOI decisions: 25 June 2026 (shortlisted applicants notified)

Final decisions: 12 Nov 2026 (all shortlisted applicants notified)