Applicants Invited to become UK Energy Demand Champion
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are inviting UK-based researchers to become the ‘Energy Demand Research Champion’ to lead the next stage of energy demand research in the UK.
The Champion will provide transformational leadership and coordination in energy demand research to help inform the UK’s transition to net zero by 2050. They will also be expected to develop a consortium that will apply for the upcoming funding opportunity for a new ‘Energy Demand Research Centre’, and subsequently act as lead of this centre if the consortium proposal is successful.
The candidate must be able to start work in September 2022. If committed to other large grants, the applicant must have enough time available to fulfil the role.
Applications should be submitted by researchers based in the UK. They can be from any discipline and should have a background in research, industry or policy, and a clear understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of UK energy demand research.
Applications are also welcome for a maximum of two ‘co-champions’. In this case, the distinct roles and responsibilities of the two co-champions must be clearly set out, as well as how they would work together effectively and co-lead the wider consortium.
Research grants are open to:
- UK higher education institutions.
- Research council institutes.
- UKRI-approved independent research organisations.
- Eligible public sector research establishments.
- NHS bodies with research capacity.
Full details of institutional eligibility criteria are available here.
The full economic cost of the role can be up to £312,500 for the initial stage of funding from September 2022 to April 2023. UKRI will fund 80% of the full economic cost. Funding can be used for teaching buyout (if required), networking activities, workshops, and administrative support.
Applications should be submitted by the 6 April 2022 (16:00) deadline.