UKRI: Protecting citizens online complementary projects

Deadline: 22 June 2021 (intention to submit); 6 July 2021 (submission)

Apply for funding to research the needs of citizens online, help them control how their data is used and protect them from online harms.

Projects should align with the National Research Centre on Privacy, Harm Reduction and Adversarial Influence Online (REPHRAIN), funded through the first phase of the programme, and must have a team of investigators from a mix of disciplines.

Project full economic costs can be up to £3.44 million, of which the UKRI will fund 80%. The UKRI will support four projects. A project must last 3 years and start in April 2022 and end March 2025.

Eligibility

Applicants to be investigators must be based at an eligible UK-based institution and meet one of the following criteria: be employed at the submitting research organisation at lecturer level or equivalent; hold a fixed-term contract that extends beyond the duration of the proposed project and be supported by the host research organisation as if a permanent employee; hold an EPSRC, Royal Society or Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship aimed at later career stages; hold fellowships under other schemes.

The Investigatory Team

The investigatory team must be balanced across the technical and social sciences and humanities, with at least two co-investigators from disciplines within different research councils’ remits. The proposed project must involve collaborations with at least one of the following: industry; government; policy; third sector project partners. Any single investigator is only permitted to appear on one proposal, either as investigator or co-investigator. Individuals based in non-UK countries can be involved in the grant as visiting researchers, project partners or members of advisory boards. However, they are not eligible to be investigators.

Preparing to Apply

REPHRAIN will be running an event on 9 June to support this call and bring together the wider community. Applicants are strongly advised to take this opportunity to learn about REPHRAIN’s research programme, meet the team and network with potential collaborators.

How to Apply

Applicants must register an intent to submit by 16:00 on 22 June 2021. Applications must be submitted to UKRI through the Joint Electronic Submission system (Je-S) by by 16:00 on 6 July 2021.

For more details on eligibility and application, please visit the UKRI's webpage for this opportunity.