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The CONNECT FTMA is a three-year UKRI-BBSRC grant that started in April 2024, led by Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Newcastle University that will support and develop staff at the two organisations.

This grant has a strong focus on the BBSRC’s strategic priority in supporting research in securing better health, ageing and wellbeing.

The grant will be supporting the delivery of:

1. A range of seminars and events to promote inter-organisation awareness of the diverse research and expertise located at the partner organisations,
2. Competitive calls to the CONNECT Fund, which will provide funding to support knowledge exchange activities between Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Newcastle University and third party collaborators,
3. Improved career development frameworks for technicians and early career researchers, and
4. A range of innovation and enterprise opportunities and technology transfer knowledge sharing.

The FTMA CONNECT Fund

This fund provides financial support for the direct costs associated with staff and collaborators undertaking knowledge exchange activities (placements or training opportunities). Funded activities should aim to further develop high functioning teams to deliver excellent research, staff career development, career mobility and significant cross-sector societal and commercial impact.

The CONNECT Fund can be used to support staff across a wide range of roles (researchers, technicians and professional enabling staff), but is particularly focused towards supporting postdoctoral researchers, technicians and technology and skills specialists.

N.B. Unfortunately training opportunities for students cannot be funded through this grant.

Eligible costs for funded projects include: travel, accommodation, subsistence, consumables and equipment use. Salary costs can not be not reimbursed.

Apply to the fund:  

Once this application is submitted, each participant in the submitted proposal should complete a  

The current call will close on the 6th of December, with funding decisions being made within the following fortnight.

Further CONNECT Fund calls will open in January and May 2025

Further Information:

Please review the CONNECT Fund Guidance that provides information on the Fund's remit, funding priorities and financial limits.

Find here descriptions of the range of projects that the CONNECT Fund is currently supporting.

For any queries, please contact: kec@babraham.ac.uk