EPSRC Network-H2 funding call: Establishing the economic case for hydrogen fuelled transportation

The EPSRC Energy Programme funded Network-H2 is pleased to announce our first funding call.

The deadline for expressions of interest is 4pm (GMT) on Friday 30^th October 2020. Successful  applicants must be available on the 7^th/8^th December.

For this flexible funding call, one project will be funded for a total of £50,000 (80% fEC)

Key Dates

14^th October  2020         Call opens

30^th October 2020        4pm (GMT) closing date for Expressions of Interest

30^th November 2020      Invitations to attend workshop for successful applicants

7/8^th December 2020    Virtual workshop meeting for successful applicants

11^th January 2021          Consortium full proposal submission

18^th January 2021         Confirmation of funding

Network-H2 is a hydrogen fuelled transportation research network that cuts across both the energy and transport sectors, addressing the truly multi-disciplinary challenge and the advancement of many mutually dependent research disciplines. Network-H2 supports the dissemination and impact of research and information between academia, industry, policymakers and the public. Network-H2 aims to bring together the knowledge obtained through research projects funded by the RCUK Programme and other national and international cross-disciplinary research aimed at developing a “hydrogen for transport” economy.

1.The Call

This call is seeking expression of interests from those wishing to be considered to attend a virtual workshop event to develop a research proposal focusing on the economic case for hydrogen-fuelled transport in line with Network-H2 theme: Policy, economics and societal impacts.

The aim is to select a consortium of four investigators to collaborate during a workshop to prepare a research proposal application for funding. The investigators will work with Network-H2 members to develop their ideas and to agree a structure and focus for the research. At the end of the workshop, applicants will prepare and submit a full proposal for funding. The workshop will take place virtually on 7/8^th December 2020.

The project must commence by February 2021 and complete by 30^th September 2021. During delivery of the project, the consortium will be required to provide monthly progress updates and by the end of the project, deliver (1) an oral presentation at a Network-H2 event, (2) a written report to be published on Network-H2 website summarising the activities and key findings, and (3) the submission of a journal publication. Funding will be transferred on the successful delivery of the report.

2. Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest Form and full call documentation is available here: EoI Form

Call guidance: link

Successful applicants will be informed by 30^th November 2020.

3. Assessment Criteria for the Expression of Interest (EoI):

The Assessment criteria for the EoI will be as follows;

(1) Novelty/transformative proposed contribution

(2) Proven experience and expertise in a relevant area

(3) Relevance of research background

(4) Approach to the problem

(5) Response to questions within the application

(6) Fit with the aims of the Network

4. Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

(1) All applicants must be eligible to hold UKRI funding.

(2) Existing Network-H2 investigators can apply, but will not be considered as PI for the final submitted proposal

(3) Applications are encouraged from Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and individuals from under-represented groups in transport and climate related disciplines (i.e. women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities). We define an Early Career Researcher as any academic who has been awarded a PhD but has not yet held a research grant of £100,000 or more.

(4) It is expected that the PI for the final submitted proposal will be an ECR

For this call, standard UKRI eligibility rules apply relating to the status of the organisation and the employment status of individuals applying. Investigators from all disciplines supported by UKRI are welcomed and encouraged to apply.

Any proposal that is incomplete, or does not meet the eligibility criteria of this Expression of Interest call, will be rejected and will not be considered.

For information on the eligibility of organisations and individuals to receive UKRI funding, see the EPSRC Funding Guide: https://epsrc.ukri.org/funding/applicationprocess/fundingguide/

A list of eligible organisations is provided at: https://www.ukri.org/funding/howto-apply/eligibility/

5. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Network-H2 is committed to EDI and this is at the heart of the Network’s activities at all levels.  The Network recognises the importance of EDI and that the link between diversity and research productivity is well established.  It also understands the benefits that can be achieved through building an inclusive partnership within a multidisciplinary collaboration with representatives, both academic and industrial stakeholders, across the four major transportation modes of aviation, rail, road and marine.