Funding

This Flexible Fund is to create a research programme that can respond rapidly to changing research needs.

Main purpose:

In this round, we will have a targeted call for research projects that focus on the adoption of socio-technical energy demand solutions (including for example the adoption of key technologies in AI, electrified heating, electrified transport and industrial processes). Projects will be expected to have an EDRC partner as well as an impact-focused partner. We will publish more details of this call in June 2026.

Maximum amount of EDRC funding per project:

£50,000 per project (80% fEC)

Start date:

This fund opens on 1 July 2026 and closes on 15 October 2026. Applications submitted outside this window will not be reviewed.

Eligibility and who can apply:

EDRC existing team and those new to EDRC

Requirements:

• Applicants requesting these funds can use them for rapid projects such as quick surveys, rapid evidence reviews or additional PDRA time in response to specific changes in policy landscape or new partner co-created research activities.
• Each Rapid Project will have to answer a specific research question and be clearly additional to the activities and priorities of the existing funded EDRC activities.
• Applicants will also need to detail EDI considerations in research design, data management and justification of resources (see also Appendix 3 Application form details).

Outcomes: 

Final report, details of how funds have been used, links to a specific EDRC Theme or Challenge, outputs, achieved impact.  

How to apply:

To apply to this Flexible Fund, please send your completed application form to flexiblefund@edrc.ac.uk.