SPIN-Dementia Network Plus Flexible Fund Guidance

The second round of Flexible Funding is open from January 2026.

All values based on 80% fEC funding.

Aim

We are looking for projects that facilitate collaboration in the community and with a focus on equity and diversity.

Objectives

• To inform and develop research activity,
• To inform the development of future funding bids,
• To inform and support dissemination of research findings,
• To develop involvement and co-production practice.

Projects should include relevant involvement of charities, industry, government organisations and international organisations, and must ensure they demonstrate how public, patient involvement and engagement is included as part of the leadership team and/or through the proposed project.  Project applications must be led by an early career researcher who is eligible to receive UKRI funding as a Project Lead.

Examples

• running an event with different groups of people to explore new project areas of joint interest;
• carrying out a survey to create research questions;
• knowledge exchange projects (including creative approaches) to allow research findings to be communicated to a different audience.

Aim

To pump-prime innovative high-quality, prevention studies that support SPIN-D themes and provide pilot or proof of concept work for external funding applications.

Objectives

• To support collaborative projects that will initiate and/or develop new collaborations across the SPIN-D network,
• To include with co-production partners to ensure that PPIE is embedded within the research,
• To develop outputs that can directly contribute to relevant research within SPIN-D,
• To develop a range of projects that can inform the development of future funding bids.

Projects should include relevant involvement of charities, industry or government, and should demonstrate public and patient involvement and engagement through the proposed project.  Project applications must be led by an early career researcher who is eligible to receive UKRI funding as a Project Lead.

Examples

• Secondary research using previously published data,
• Secondary analysis of existing large datasets including large research cohort datasets (e.g. PROTECT, 1947 Birth Cohort; ELSA, Understanding Society, BioBank) and datasets within NHS/service delivery organisations (e.g. primary care data/CPRD, hospital episode statistics), commercial organisations and voluntary and charitable organisations,
• Pilots and proof-of-concept work which may include data from mobile and e-health applications,
• Generation of new evidence including quantitative data (e.g. surveys and questionnaires) and qualitative data (e.g. interviews).

The flexible fund includes a dedicated amount of funding to allow access to data sources.  At least two projects that are aimed at using the PROTECT database will be supported using this funding across the two planned rounds, and access to other data sources may also be supported.

Applications to the data access fund must meet the same criteria as the other funded projects.  An initial step within the competition and approval process will be confirmation of acceptance from the data holder that the project may be accepted and the data provided.

PROTECT Data Access

Launched in 2014, the PROTECT study was created to collect longitudinal data from participants aged 40 and above across the UK to characterise cognitive health in ageing and to identify trajectories and risk factors for early cognitive decline. The study is delivered remotely through an online platform. Data is collected from participants annually; this consists of a well-validated computerised neuropsychological test system and extensive self-report measures that cover demographics, medical history, mental health and lifestyle data, including validated clinical measures. Genetic data is also collected on a rolling basis, with 15,000 samples collected to date. The PROTECT study currently has over 25,000 active participants. 

The PROTECT study allows access to study data for secondary analysis by researchers investigating questions outside the scope of the PROTECT team. We also offer cohort access to facilitate recruitment to other studies, and host new studies on the PROTECT platform for researchers to collect data from PROTECT study participants. Charges are implemented to support the data collection infrastructure, time for data set preparation and management, and any development work that may be required. Favourable rates are available for student projects on a case-by-case basis. 

Researchers who are interested in more information can contact protect.data@exeter.ac.uk or complete the Microsoft Form (Initial Data Access Form) to begin the request process. 

Funded projects will be included on the SPIN-D website.  Successful applicants will work closely with the SPIN-D central team to ensure that the knowledge, findings and outputs from the work are embedded within the work of SPIN-D and contribute to the overall impact.

All recipients of the Network+ funding will be required to provide information for reporting on ResearchFish, according to normal UKRI reporting requirements.  Funding to successful applicants will be confirmed by contract, in order to flow down the terms from the original funders (UKRI terms).

Full Economic Costing (fEC)

In accordance with SPIN-D funding award rules, flexible funding will be awarded to the recipients on Full Economic Costing (fEC) basis.  This is a requirement of the original funders which provided funding on UKRI terms.  fEC is the full cost to the eligible institution of undertaking the project and includes all direct and indirect costs.  SPIN-D flexible funding will be awarded at 80% fEC, and the recipient research organisation will pay the remaining percentage from their own resources. 

Charities, Industry and International Organisations

Charities, industry organisations and international organisations may be part of a funding application as Co-Applicants, rather than as Principal Investigators.  They are funded on a different basis, at 100% costs, but excluding overheads.  This is in line with UKRI funding principles, as set out here: ESRC research funding guide for the UKRI Funding Service – UKRI.

Further details:

• Applicants based at Universities and Public Service Research Establishments (PSREs) that are eligible to apply as Project Leads or Project Co-leads will be funded under standard fEC rules
• Industry collaborators, Third Sector or Government Body Researchers will be eligible to be paid at 100% direct costs
• International non-academic organisations which are based outside the UK are not eligible.
• The combined costs of international project co-leads from non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) DAC (Development Assistance Committee) list countries, plus applicants based in research organisations in India and China, and any project co-leads from UK business, third sector or government organisations on an application cannot be more than 30% of the total fEC
• Allowable costs for industry engaging in economic activity (in compliance with UK Subsidy Control Framework) are salary (excluding superannuation and NI) limited to 1 year, travel and subsistence
• Allowable costs for third sector that does not engage in economic activity (and must provide evidence for this) are salary (including superannuation and NI), travel and subsistence, Other Direct costs
• Allowable costs for Government body are travel and subsistence only

Funding rules are in accordance with UKRI rules which are available in further detail here: ESRC research funding guide for the UKRI Funding Service – UKRI.

• Is there a requirement for matched funding?

No, this is not required although we encourage working with other organisations either through project collaborations or other arrangements

• Can applicants be from different organisations?

Yes, this is encouraged, as long as all are eligible for UKRI funding

• Is there a minimum or maximum number of collaborators allowed on each project?

There is a minimum of two applicants and we encourage maximum of 5

• Can the project include industry, charity or government organisations as collaborators?

Yes, they can be co-investigators on the project, but they may not lead projects.  Please note the funding for these organisations is different from Universities, and is in accordance with UKRI funding rules

• Are international collaborators allowed to be part of the project?

Yes, this is allowable under UKRI terms.  International organisations can be co-investigators but cannot lead projects

• What are the eligibility rules for non-academic and international partners?

Applicants based at Universities and Public Service Research Establishments (PSREs) that are eligible to apply as Project Leads or Project Co-leads will be funded under standard fEC rules

Industry collaborators, Third Sector or Government Body Researchers will be eligible to be paid at 100% direct costs.  Further details are provided in Part 4 of the guidance notes and in the UKRI funding rules

• Can one organisation submit more than one proposal with different Principal Investigators?

Yes, however, one Principal Investigator may not lead on more than one proposal within each category of funding, unless in the case of a connected Data Access funding application in connection with a Proof of Principle application

• Can you include tables and figures in the project proposal?

They may be included, however, the text within them should be included as part of overall wordcount

• When can the projects start?

The projects are required to start by the 1^st October 2026 after the funding has been awarded (for round 2), unless you receive agreement in writing for a later start

• Where can I include references in connection with my application?

Please include relevant references at the end of the application document. These are not included in the word limits for each section

• Do applicants need ethical committee approval before applying for SPIN-D funding?

We do not expect you to have received ethical approval before application submission but evidence of required ethical approval will be needed before funding can be provided to successful applicants.