Harmonised Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)

Funding will be available for impact or translational projects of £20k to £60k, for up to 12 months, that include two researchers representing two separate council remits (BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC).     

Projects should address a clearly identified unmet societal need, challenge or opportunity by combining research from the listed council remits. Applicants must justify why it is necessary to collaborate across research council remits and demonstrate that the proposal brings together the capabilities, expertise, and resources necessary to meet project aims.

As examples, the three six following projects were awarded in the previous round of the Harmonised IAA Call:

• DNA materials for healthcare applications - Davide Michieletto/Christine Merrick and Susan Rosser
• Healthcare analytics for Real-World Evidence: A cross-disciplinary, cross-sector approach - Sjoerd Beentjes/Ava Khamseh, Kenny Baillie and Nazir Lone
• Enhancing Decision-Making Expertise in Organ Retrieval Surgeons and Perfusion Specialists - Gala Morozova/Ian Currie, Amanda Martindale and Hugh Richards

If looking for an ESRC remit collaborator the SHAPE Innovation portal signposts social science and humanities expertise in innovation at the University.

Applicants can still apply for individual BBSRC IAA, ESRC IAA, EPSRC IAA, and MRC IAA projects. Recipients of individual IAA funding can still apply funding for a different collaborative project.

What is the application timeline? 

• Expression of Interest deadline 3 September 2025
• Deadline for applications is 3 November (subject to change*)
• Review Panel meeting late November
• Application outcomes expected within four weeks of panel meeting

*Note: UKRI has announced additional funding for the Harmonised IAAs for 2025/26 but will only communicate funding amounts after the summer. Once exact funding amounts are communicated the full submission deadline will be confirmed, with a minimum 4-week notice. 

Interested but want to know more? 

Attend an information session to get an overview of the application process, which disciplines are eligible, how interdisciplinarity should be interpreted, and which projects were successful in the previous round: 

• Monday 14 July 12:30-13:00
• Wednesday 27 August 12:30-13:00

Register here to attend!

How do I apply? 

Submit your Expression of Interest by 3 September. The Expression of Interest is mandatory but will not be used to screen applications. Full guidelines and application form are available below: 

Please send your completed Word application form to Harmonised.IAA@ei.ed.ac.uk.

Early Career Researchers (PDRA level and above) are eligible to apply. The University has a long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture, which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness. In line with this commitment, the Harmonised IAA call accepts applications from research-active staff at all career stages from diverse disciplines and encourages applications from under-represented groups.

Contact for help with your application: harmonised.iaa@ei.ed.ac.uk