Knowledge Exchange Placements
Approach:
The DICE Network+ has an ambitious approach with a desire to create impact and meaningful change within the sector. As part of our focus on engaging Early Careers Researchers, the Knowledge Exchange Placements are designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration of academic, industry and network partners across the UK, promoting the adoption of a digitally enabled circular economy.
Areas of focus:
We are seeking well-planned and hosted placements, lasting between 1 to 3 months with UK or international organisations, providing first-hand experience of academic and industrial context across disciplines related to the DICE Network+ key challenge areas.
The placements will likely demonstrate the development and sharing of knowledge with hosts through outputs such as short reports, white papers or conference papers, detailing identified research gaps and proposed steps to address them.
Application of funds:
We will assess applications on a rolling quarterly basis until the funds are allocated so you can expect a decision on your application within (at most) three months of applying.
Funding will cover direct costs such as travel, subsistence, accommodation and related consumables. It is not intended to be used to cover salary costs. Lead institutions will be expected to support overheads for any staff that are on placement, and applications where a portion of the placement costs are met by industry funding are also welcomed.
As the grant holder, University of Exeter is responsible for allocating funding to successful proposals and will reimburse the lead institution at 80% fEC. The lead institution must be willing to provide the remaining 20% fEC.
Key dates
Midday 8 September 2025: Deadline for submissions to be reviewed in First Round
Midday 8 December 2025: Deadline for submissions to be reviewed in Second Round
Midday 9 March 2026: Deadline for submissions to be reviewed in Third Round
Application process
Applications will be considered and funds allocated on a rolling basis.
The short, written application form consists of two parts (A & B) along with a voluntary EDI questionnaire. These should be submitted via email to Georgie Hopkins at DICE-network@exeter.ac.uk in advance of the deadline dates listed above (Rounds 1, 2 & 3).
Knowledge Exchange Placement overview
Part A: Identifying information
Part B: Case for support
EDI questionnaire
Webinar slides
Connecting academics to network partners
We’re offering a MATCHMAKING provision to help match industry and policy partners with academics to align and provide opportunity to develop collaborations with a focus on addressing real-world challenges.
Please complete this short form to allow others to understand your areas of interest and opportunities that you may be able to offer for the current call for knowledge exchange placements and feasibility studies.
Access form >Flexible Funding webinar
In this webinar, held on 10 July 2025, we covered the objectives of the funding opportunities available as part of the DICE Network+. We also covered the application process and assessment criteria, along with hearing from Oliver Fisher on his first-hand experience of being awarded feasibility study funding. The session was followed by Q&A to answer general questions from academic and network partners.
We would recommend you review this resource to supplement your understanding when preparing your application(s).
Access slides >