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Geosolutions Leeds Impact Development Fund 2026

Geosolutions Leeds is excited to announce the launch of our Impact Development Fund for 2026/27. We are inviting proposals for short-term projects to showcase and advance the impact of Geosolutions Leeds research and teaching activities.  

All projects must clearly align with our aim of refocusing subsurface research towards the clean energy transition and achieving net-zero goals. Proposals must demonstrate a pathway to achieving clear outputs and must articulate how the work will contribute to Geosolutions Leeds goals.  

Projects must finish by the end of April 2027. All funding must be used within the funded period.

Examples of activities in scope of the funding:

  • Development of interactive web-based applications that collate and showcase Geosolutions outputs so that they might be disseminated to encourage wider re-use. For example, online data calculators/portals, digital archives that present collections of legacy data as databases or other formats. 
  • Development of Policy Briefs focused on Geosolutions research areas: geothermal energy, CCS, nuclear waste disposal, wind farm foundations/engineering geology, minerals, energy storage.
  • Running workshops with industry partners and policymakers to understand their needs and build awareness around Geosolutions research
  • Development of commercialisation opportunities, including early-stage planning for the commercialisation of Geosolutions-related activities, services, facilities. For example, conducting scoping work for a market area or developing relationships with external partners. More information: https://leeds365.sharepoint.com/sites/KnowledgeExchange/SitePages/Commercialising-research.aspx  

The scope of the funding call is not limited solely to these example activities. However, the funding call requires that all activities must align to advance the impact of Geosolutions research and teaching. 

Who can apply? 

Lead applicants must be employed at the University of Leeds (in any Faculty) but need not hold a permanent academic position to serve as PI/Co-I. We are keen to support early-career researchers. Staff on fixed-term contracts are eligible to apply.  

PhD and Master's students are not eligible to apply as project leads, but may be part of a project team.  

The funding can be used for staff time, provided that it has been costed appropriately and complies with all HR requirements and approvals processes of the relevant schools/faculties.  

Collaborators on the project may be a mix of internal and external staff. However, staff costs will only be covered for staff employed by the University of Leeds. Non-staff costs can be requested for both internal and external staff. Travel costs for external staff may be applied for as part of the project, provided they are incurred within the University of Leeds; for example, all travel costs must be booked through Key Travel.  

Any queries on the eligibility of applicants and use of funding can be discussed with the team via [email protected] 

Expectations  

Lead applicants for successful bids are expected to become members of Geosolutions Leeds and contribute to the centre's activities, including attending meetings and events.  

Successful applicants are required to attend scheduled check-in meetings to discuss progress and address any questions.  

The project teams must contribute to communications outputs, including social media and blog posts for the Geosolutions webpage.  

Funding details

Funding available: £2,000 - £20,000 per project 

We expect to award projects of various sizes, and if you have questions about the proposed activities, please get in touch with Tom Lynch, Centre Coordinator, [email protected].  

Use of the funding must not exceed the end date of 30 April 2027, nor exceed the available funding on offer. All use of the funding must comply with the terms of any other funding relevant to the project (e.g., match funding) or internal regulations. We reserve the right to award an amended budget. 

Additional funding beyond the agreed award is not available. Pledged top-up funding from other sources to enable the full set of described activities to be completed will be considered. Still, such top-up funds must be guaranteed as a condition of making the Geosolutions award. 

Funding will be offered for the following categories: 

  • University of Leeds staff time for work on the project (excluding overheads). We do not expect PI investigator time to be costed into the project, except where an investigator is employed on a fixed funding/fixed contract. In this case, their Investigator DI costs may be funded.  
  • Consumables and IT costs – consumables and small items of equipment (costing up to £5k each), and IT costs such as specialist equipment, storage, computing costs, etc.;  
  • Travel and events – travel, subsistence, room hire, events costs and other related costs;  
  • Facilities and internal services – directly incurred facilities costs that are specifically related to, and required for the project;  
  • The committee will consider other justified costs if they clearly meet the remit of the call.  
  • For the avoidance of doubt, equipment, lab costs, and other items related to fundamental research will not be funded, and all costs should demonstrate a clear pathway to impact. We do not expect the funding to be used for laptops/tablets, or other IT equipment unless there is a very clear use in impact activities.  

The committee reserve the right to offer an amended funding settlement for successful projects.  

Geosolutions Leeds funding is internal and follows the same funding rules as other internal University funding sources, such as IAA and Policy Fund Projects. Therefore, the funding cannot be used to cover overheads, including indirect, estates and infrastructure costs. 

Application and assessment 

Applications should be submitted via the SharePoint form: Geosolutions Leeds Impact Development Fund 2026 – Fill in form

A preview of the application form is available here.

Applications will be assessed by the Geosolutions Leeds Management Committee. The panel reserves the right to offer a revised funding award. All applications will be assessed to ensure value for money for the Geosolutions Leeds investment.  

Key dates

Applications open: 6 May 

Application deadline: 2 July 

Award announcement: late August  

About Geosolutions Leeds

Geosolutions Leeds is an interdisciplinary centre based at the University of Leeds. It is funded under the University Climate Plan to refocus subsurface research away from oil and gas, lead the way towards the clean energy transition, and deliver on net-zero goals.  

Geosolutions Leeds brings together world-leading expertise in geology, engineering, and social science to deliver an integrated approach to subsurface energy research.  

For further information or to discuss the application process and funding offered, please contact:  [email protected]