Flexible Funding Initiative (FFI): Purpose and Aims
The Flexible Funding Initiative (FFI) is designed to facilitate productive cooperative working across disciplines and to stimulate new transdisciplinary research activity aligned with the TARGetAMR remit.
The FFI will support short term, targeted activities that:
- Enable new or strengthened collaborations
- Address clearly articulated research questions in AMR genomics
- Demonstrate added value through transdisciplinary integration
Supported activities may include (but are not limited to):
- Research exchanges or secondments
- Stakeholder engagement events
- Pilot or feasibility studies
- Small scale collaborative research projects aimed at de-risking future larger grant applications
Eligibility and Scope
Applications must:
- Be within the scientific and strategic remit of TARGetAMR, with a clear focus on AMR genomics
- Involve contributors spanning a minimum of two UKRI Research Council remits
Proposals demonstrating genuine integration between STEM and non STEM disciplines (e.g. social sciences, humanities, law, policy, ethics, implementation research) will receive a score enhancement during assessment.
Applicants should clearly articulate:
- The contribution of each discipline
- How the collaboration lays the groundwork for, or goes beyond, multidisciplinary working to achieve transdisciplinary outcomes
- How the funding builds capacity, capability, and connectivity in AMR genomics
Please note: you must be based in an institution eligible to receive UKRI funding in order to apply.
Application Process
Stage 1:
Stage 2:
Stage 3:
Stage 4:
The initiative is introduced at our conference, including an overview, Q&A, and group discussion.
Initiative webpage launches alongside the opening of applications, providing clear guidance, resources and dedicated support.
Full applications must be submitted by Friday 31 July. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Full application reviewed by TARGetAMR leadership team and reviewed in consultation with the External Advisory Board (EAB).
Assessment Process
Applications will undergo internal assessment at TARGetAMR and be ranked against the criteria of novelty, transdisciplinarity, feasibility, potential impact for AMR genomics, and the track record of the applicant/s commensurate with career stage.
Proposals will be reviewed in consultation with the External Advisory Board (EAB).
Funding decisions will seek to ensure that supported projects:
- Address timely, relevant, and high priority research questions in AMR genomics (for which you may wish to consult the TARGetAMR position piece on the role of Microbial Genomics in delivering against the UK NAP
- Demonstrate scientific quality, feasibility, and transdisciplinary integration
- Are positioned to deliver clearly articulated outputs, including, but not limited to:
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals or monographs, and/or
- The development of a competitive external funding application (e.g. UKRI, charity, international funders)
Timeline
Thursday 14th May 2026
Thursday 14th May 2026
Friday 31st July 2026
Tuesday 13th October 2026
Monday 4th January 2027
Friday 31st December 2027
Flexible Funding Initiative Launched at TARGetAMR Conference 2026.
Applications open for the Flexible Funding Initiative.
The deadline for submitting applications closes.
Funding awards are announced.
Funded grants officially commence.
All projects must be completed by this date.
How to apply:
Apply
To apply, please complete the below form:
TARGetAMR Network – Flexible Funding Initiative – Fill in form
Alongside this, applicants must also download and complete a Excel Supplementary Information Form.
Please note applications will only be considered if both the Microsoft Application Form and the Excel Supplementary Information Form have been completed and submitted to targetamr@contacts.bham.ac.uk by Friday 31st July 2026.
For more information about applying, please read our FFI application guidelines.
Please note: you must be based in an institution eligible to receive UKRI funding in order to apply.
