ACCESS Flex Fund Round One Evaluation Report

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to present findings that inform evaluation of the ACCESS Flex Fund Round 1. Data are analysed concerning the characteristics of submitted applications, the personal characteristics of the applicants, and their perceptions of the submission process. There were 61 proposals submitted to the Flex Fund Round 1, of which 9 were successful (14.75% success rate). The review process included ‘blind review’ of applications. Projects will share the £250,000 fund and run from September 2023 for 9 to 12 months.

Findings from the analyses indicate that Round 1 was successful in its goal of reaching early career researchers (ECRs). 98% of Principle Investigators and 48% of proposal teams were composed of individuals who self-identified as ECRs. Most application teams were solely composed of academics (66%). Applicants tended to be based in England, with relatively few submissions from the rest of the UK. Applicants were more likely to be female, of White ethnicity and aged between 30-44 years. Just over half of applicants reported caring responsibilities.

Perceptions of the submission process and guiding materials were strongly positive. The materials in the Call for Proposals and Webinar were rated of high quality. Applicants did not report finding it difficult to use the Guiding Principles to inform their applications.

Suggestions for improvement included: clarifying how EDI could be taken account of in proposals, providing exemplar case studies of collaborative partnership working, improving online submission (e.g. adding a save option to each page of the online application form, providing a PDF of application forms), and increasing clarity on the treatment of letters of support in submission and evaluation.