Apply now for APEX Awards Scheme – United Kingdom

Objectives

The objectives of this scheme are to:

• promote collaboration across disciplines, with a particular emphasis on the boundary between science, engineering and the social sciences and humanities
• support outstanding interdisciplinary research which is unlikely to be supported through conventional funding programmes
• support researchers with an outstanding track record, in developing their research in a new direction through collaboration with partners from other disciplines
• enable outstanding researchers to focus on advancing their innovative research through seed funding.

Subjects Covered

• Applications must be within the remit of more than one of the Academies. Applications that span the remit of The British Academy and The Royal Academy of Engineering are encouraged.
  • The British Academy Remit – In any discipline within the social sciences and humanities – in some cases, creative and professional practice may play a significant role in shaping the methods and/or outcomes of research. In all proposals, whether practice-led or not, a clear scholarly rationale is required for the choice of research methods, processes, and outputs.
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering Remit – Applications are welcome from any engineering discipline. Engineering is defined in its broadest sense, encompassing a wide range of diverse fields, including computer science and materials.
  • The Royal Society Remit – Natural sciences (including agriculture, mathematics, technology, computer science, materials, medical, environmental and engineering sciences, but excluding clinical medicine).
• Research must be within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics.

Value and Duration

• Awards of up to £100,000 can be held for up to 24 months. Successful applicants will also have the opportunity to separately apply for up to £10,000 to create and lead public engagement projects linked to their APEX Award.
• Awards are expected to commence between 1 October and 1 December 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant Eligibility
  • The scheme is open to applicants of all nationalities. Applicants must be exceptional researchers with excellent track records as established independent researchers (this can include engineering researchers, humanities and social sciences scholars and scientists).
  • Applicants will be expected to collaborate with a research partner (co-applicant) from a different discipline to their own, based at the same institution or a different university in the UK. All applications must be supported by the applicant’s Head of Department, who will be asked to provide assurance that the researcher will be permitted to use the institution’s facilities during the period of the award and can be released/partially released from teaching duties (if required).
  • Applications must be within the remit of more than one of the Academies. For example, applications that span the remit of The British Academy and The Royal Academy of Engineering are encouraged but applications which are within the remit of just one Academy will not be permitted.
  • Applicants may only submit one application per round.
  • The Society appreciates that there are diverse research career paths and understands the challenges of managing a research career alongside other personal commitments. When reviewing applicants’ eligibility and research experience, the Society will consider time spent outside the research environment (e.g. time away due to personal reasons such as maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoptive leave or other caring responsibilities; ill-health or working in a non-research environment/role, such as industry).
  • Support to applicants with disabilities: The Royal Society welcomes applications from scientists with disabilities and provides adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process.
• Host Organisation Eligibility
  • Applicants must be based in either a UK University or not-for-profit research organisation for at least the duration of the project.

For more information, visit British Academy (BA).