An applicant webinar and drop-in session to learn more about the DARE UK next-generation Trusted Research Environment (TRE) capabilities funding opportunity and provide answers to applicants’ questions.
The sessions, intended for prospective applicants, offered a comprehensive overview of the funding call. They covered information on available funding, eligibility criteria, application guidance, public involvement and engagement (PIE) and specific areas of TRE innovation for which applications are being sought. Attendees had the chance to ask questions and interact directly with the DARE UK team.
Slides from the sessions
In case you missed the sessions, watch the recordings below:
Applicant webinar (1 May 2025; 14:00 – 15:00)
Drop-in session (22 May 2025; 14:00 – 15:00)
FAQs
Is this call only open to organisations involved in DARE UK Phase 1 projects?
No. This call is open to all organisations, regardless of whether they participated in DARE UK Phase 1.
Do applicants need to be working with Trusted Research Environments (TREs) currently funded under DARE UK Phase 2?
No. There is no requirement to be affiliated with TREs funded in Phase 2 of the DARE UK programme.
There is £1.875 million available in the 2025/26 financial year (April 1st 25 to March 31st 26) and only £375,000 in the 2026/27 financial year (April 1st 26 to March 31st 27). With this in mind, how should our project spend be distributed?
The spend profile for this call is not evenly distributed and it will not be possible to shift funds across financial year boundaries. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that costs are frontloaded. A suggested spend distribution is approximately 85% of costs in 2025/26 FY and 15% in 2026/27 FY.
What are the expected project start and end dates? Can these dates be adjusted?
Projects are expected to start around September 2025 and conclude by September 2026. All projects will have the same start and end date, and this will be as close to September 2025 as administratively possible.
Is it necessary to demonstrate a proof of concept using real data, or can synthetic data be used?
There is no requirement to use real data. Projects may use synthetic data to demonstrate proof of concept, particularly in light of the project timescale.
Will applications building on work from DARE UK Phase 1 be considered?
Yes. Applications that extend work from Phase 1 are welcome. An independent panel will assess and determine which projects will receive funding.
Can international organisations apply as project co-leads?
Yes. International organisations are eligible to participate as co-leads. Please consult UKRI’s project co-lead (international) policy for further information.
Can industry partners take part in this call?
Yes. Industry partners are eligible to participate as project partners. Note: If your application includes industry project partners, you will also need to complete the ‘Industry Collaboration Framework (ICF)’ section. Find out more about ICF.
Which types of companies/organisations are categorised as industry?
Any organisation that fits into the definition provided here.
What is the difference between a collaborator and a sub-contractor for commercial companies?
According to UKRI guidance (see here and here), the key difference lies in the nature of the relationship with the lead applicant, the type of work done, and how the funding is managed. Whatever the arrangement, it must be clearly justified, as the panel will review this.
Project Partner (Collaborator)
- Role: Actively supports the delivery of the project. This may include providing expertise, staff time, facilities, or other in-kind contributions.
- Relationship: Involved in the research but not part of the core applicant team.
- Funding:
– Usually not funded by the grant.
– May receive funding for minor costs (e.g. travel, subsistence) at 80% fEC, but these must be justified and approved. - Examples:
– A pharmaceutical company providing a drug for a clinical trial.
– A charity assisting with participant recruitment.
– Commercial companies acting as project partners must follow the Industry Collaboration Framework.
Sub-contractor
- Role: Delivers a specific, defined task or service for the project.
- Relationship: Hired by the lead organisation and not involved in research design or direction.
- Funding:
– Paid for their services through the grant.
– All costs are eligible and paid at 80% fEC. - Examples:
– A company running lab tests.
– A software firm developing a bespoke tool for the project.
Can industry partners be paid as sub-contractors?
If an SDE/SDEs are participating in a project as project partners does the ICF form need to be completed?
It depends on the nature of organisation that owns the SDE (whether commercial or not) and the relationship. Please consult this decision tree to determine if an ICF is needed.
Can a project focus on a topic not listed under the “What we are looking for” section of the call specification?
Yes. The listed topics are intended as guidance and are not exhaustive. Projects addressing other relevant areas are welcome.
Can a company play the role of both a collaborator and a sub-contractor in the same application?
Yes. See reference to section of guidance here, but only under specific conditions. This dual role is allowed only if the company is involved in clearly distinct parts of the project in each capacity. The roles must be separately defined and justified, and the company must have two separate contracts—one for the collaborative (in-kind or co-funded) contribution, and another for the subcontracted services.
Where can I find the slides and recording from the webinar / drop-in session?
The slides and recording can be viewed here.
