UPEN has made two big announcements about its funding opportunities designed to strengthen the connection between academic research and public policy.
Launch of the Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund supports initiatives that:
- advance sustainable academic–policy engagement
- test and scale innovative approaches
- strengthen collaboration between universities and policy partners
- generate practical insights and shared learning across the sector
ELIGIBILITY
All projects must be collaborative. Applications must be led by a UPEN member organisation and include at least one external policy partner, such as a government department, local authority, charity or think tank.
Priority will be given to organisations not currently engaged in UPEN programme activity.
VALUE AND DURATION
Each award is worth £10,000 – £50,000 and must last between 6 and 18 months.
Funding can be used for:
- Staff time
- Project delivery
- Travel and subsistence
- Materials
Match funding is required (cash or in-kind).
KEY DATES
EOI deadline: 20 September 2026
EOI decisions: 2 October 2026
Full application deadline: 3 November 2026
Final decisions: w/c 16 November 2026
Reopening of the Participation Fund
Enabling UPEN members to engage with UPEN Programmes.
There are two distinct routes to apply:
- In response to a direct invitation through conversations you’ve had with UPEN Co-Chairs or Programmes colleagues
- In response to an advertised funding opportunity (keep an eye on the UPEN funding page and newsletter for new funding opportunities as they appear).
ELIGIBILITY
The Participation Fund is open to anyone who works at a UPEN university member institution, including both academics and professional services staff.
Applications are especially encouraged from:
- individuals who are unable to access funding from their own institution to support participation in UPEN programme activities
- early or mid career researchers
- individuals who are based at institutions which are not partners in UPEN Programmes*
*UW is not currently a UPEN Programme partner
VALUE AND DURATION
You can apply for up to £5,000 per application to cover any activities which have a clear link to UPEN Programmes work, for example:
- travel for in person events
- accommodation
- staff time
- event and conference registration costs (e.g catering, registration, room booking)
- training course
- costs associated with hosting an in-person event
- costs associated with outputs such as (non-academic) publications or communications materials
KEY DATES
Applications can be submitted at any time (except for where deadlines apply to advertised opportunities such as those listed below).
NEW PARTICIPATION FUND OPPORTUNITIES
- Engaging with and developing responses to recently published Areas of Research Interest (deadline: 12 August 2026)
- Rapid Response requests from national governments: What works (deadline: 25 September 2026 – may be extended or closed early based on demand)
More information about the Participation Fund specifically can be found in a previous post.
Full details of both schemes, including how to apply, can be found on the opportunity webpage.
All funding awards must be related to UPEN Programmes which focus on:
- People: developing capabilities of professionals and institutions
- Practice: building collaborative practices and infrastructure for engagement
- Place: understanding local and regional evidence needs