Call for Applications: UK-US Global Research and Innovation Impact Showcase

Overview

Has your UKRI-funded project enabled close collaboration with United States (US) based partners and achieved significant impact?

We are inviting applications from UKRI-funded teams of UK- and US- based researchers and innovators, to participate in a two-day, in-person impact showcase in Washington, DC, US, the week beginning 2 March 2026. This activity will demonstrate and celebrate the global impact of UKRI-funded UK-US research and innovation through various engagements and high-profile events at the UK Embassy in Washington.

The UKRI North America office will provide reimbursement up to £6,000 (costs in full) for researchers and/or innovators named within the UKRI-funded project to attend and participate in the showcase. They may be based either in the UK or in the US.

Please note that this is not a research funding opportunity.

This activity is subject to the availability of funds and merit review of applications received.

Indicative key dates

• Application Opens: 09:00 BST on 13 October 2025
• Application Closes: 23:59 GMT on 9 November 2025
• Successful applicants Notified: 19 November 2025
• Two-day Showcase: During 2 – 6 March 2026

What to expect

Successful applicants will be expected to:

• Produce outreach materials (e.g. posters, pull-up banners, demos) in preparation for the showcase to aid demonstration of the impact of their research/innovation projects.
• Participate in several events during the showcase and share the impacts of their research with different audiences. It is anticipated engagements will include: roundtable discussions, showcase reception, flash talks.
• Engage with media opportunities.

Final details (including exact dates) will be confirmed with successful applicants. Please note, you must be available to travel to Washington, DC, for the week commencing 2 March 2026 and able to attend all planned engagements.

What’s in it for you

Successful applicants for the impact showcase will have a chance to:

• Increase visibility of their research/innovation to new audiences.
• Meet senior policymakers from across the US research and innovation ecosystem.
• Develop media and communications materials for later use.
• Participate in and attend events at the British Embassy in Washington, DC.
• Connect with their collaborators.

Who can apply

To apply:

1. You must be a UK-based researcher or innovator funded or previously funded by UKRI. Your UKRI-funded project must be a collaboration with US-based researchers or innovators, where the US-based team has been funded through a US funding body to partner with you on the UKRI-funded project.
2. The work must have begun on or after 2010 and the impact delivered must be recent (within the last five years). Your and any co-applicants’ project funding may have ended.
3. You must be able to obtain the appropriate travel documentation (e.g. visa or visa waiver) to enter the United States. Visit the US State Department website for more information on visas.

We encourage all submissions to consider enabling participation from researchers and innovators in the projects at all career stages and from all backgrounds.

Assessment criteria

• Significance of the impact (e.g. societal, cultural, economic) delivered by the UKRI-funded project, and evidence that the UK-US collaboration was key to deliver this impact.
• Demonstrable ability to convey complex research and/or innovation concepts into accessible messages for different audiences.
• Learning and development enable or enhances the applicant’s or applicant’s team’s career(s) and broader goals.
• Evidence that value for money and efficient use of public funds has been central to developing the proposal.
• Effectiveness of the proposed showcasing materials (e.g. demos, posters, banners).

What the funds can be used for

Successful applicants/applicant teams may request reimbursement up to £6,000 (costs in full) for:

• Travel costs for members of the project team, either UK/US-based. Where possible, US collaborator(s) are encouraged to use existing funds to join their UK collaborator(s) in Washington, DC. Please note that it is expected that most of the funds will support attendance of UK-based collaborators.
• Reasonable subsistence expenses.
• Showcasing materials, for example demos, posters or banners.

Further questions or reasonable adjustment requests

Should you have any further questions or require reasonable adjustments to complete this application or to participate in this activity, please reach out to the UKRI North America office at: northamerica@ukri.org.