UK funders to recognise Covid impacts in grant applications

Major R&D funders pledge to make “appropriate adjustments” when assessing applications from Covid-hit researchers

Some of the UK’s largest funders of research have pledged to recognise the impacts of Covid-19 on researchers in their future grant applications, and make “appropriate adjustments” where needed.

In a joint statement, 22 UK funders including UK Research and Innovation said any disruptions to research activities due to Covid-19 would be taken into consideration by panels, committee members and peer reviewers when assessing an applicants’ record of outputs, achievements and career progression.