Launch of UKRI Sustainable Agri-food for Net Zero Network Plus Call
UKRI has launched a funding call with the aim of establishing a single Network Plus (network plus research) on sustainable agri-food for net zero, to convene and catalyse an interdisciplinary multi-stakeholder community and support feasibility projects.
The Network Plus will provide research and innovation evidence in support of strategies to sustainably reduce or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the agri-food sector. The Network Plus will also consider approaches to adapt UK agri-food systems to ensure sustainability and increased resilience to climate change and the resulting environmental impacts, including:
- Biodiversity loss
- Changes in land use
- Other ecosystem services
Research in sustainable agri-food for net zero requires an interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, applications are encouraged from broad multidisciplinary teams. The principal investigator must be working in a science discipline. Co-investigators from across UKRI’s remit, from disciplines outside those directly linked to agri-food and from other eligible research organisations may be included to bring new ideas and perspectives to the net zero challenge.
Investigators must be academic employees (lecturer or equivalent) of an eligible organisation and must be a resident in the UK. UKRI fellows, Royal Society fellows, Wellcome Trust fellows and Royal Academy of Engineering fellows holding fellowships aimed at later career stages are eligible to apply. Co-investigators are expected to meet all the eligibility criteria for principal investigators except for the requirement to hold a contract that extends beyond the end date of the proposal.
A total of between £3.5 million and £4 million is available to support one Network Plus (at 80% full economic cost) and an award will be made for up to 36 months duration.
Submitting an Expression of Interest on Smart Survey is mandatory for those considering applying as a principal investigator and recommended for co-investigators. This is for potential applicants to register their interest in being principal investigators or co-investigators and in attending the Network Plus development workshop.
The Expression of Interest stage closes on 20 October 2021 (16:00).