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  1. Queen Mary University of London
  2. Research
  3. Research Strategy
  4. Inclusive and Innovative Research
  5. Research impact
  6. Funding for Knowledge Exchange & Impact
  7. Queen Mary Impact Fund
  8. Applying to the Impact Fund

Applying to the Impact Fund

Funding Streams

The Impact Fund support 2 streams:

  1. Exploratory Impact Awards (up to £10,000): Ideal for testing ideas, planning impact journeys, generating early-stage impacts, and supporting small-scale projects. These awards may lead to larger initiatives - Ongoing Open Call
  2. Impact Project/Accelerator Awards (£10,000 to £50,000 per project, £100,000 exceptional cases): Targeted at projects with clear opportunities for commercial or societal impact. These awards foster relationships with partners and investors to advance research. In rare cases, funding up to £100,000 is considered if justified - Not Accepting Applications

We strongly recommend seeking match funding from project partners when possible.

How to Apply?

To start with your application, you will need to submit a short ‘intention to apply’ email to impact-acceleration@QMUL.ac.uk with an overview of the following information:

  1. Your idea and the research it builds on
  2. Intended impacts
  3. Partners involved
  4. Likely size of funding requested

You should discuss your project and start engaging with your Faculty Impact Lead and the broader teams that support Knowledge Exchange as earliest as possible.

Change in HEIF Guidance: Applicants should check if their proposals align with Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) priorities and dimensions - please review changes here

We recommend you familiarise yourself with the application processes and guidance documents

When to Apply

The Impact Fund is currently not accepting applications for Impact Project/Accelerator Awards (£10k - £50k) - information about future funding opportunities will be published on this page when available.

For Exploratory Impact Awards (up to £10k), the call is open throughout the academic year with panel sessions taking place every two months.

  • For Exploratory, Intention to Apply (ITA) emails should be sent by the 1st day of each month to be considered in that month's panel - see dates below 
  • Upcoming Panel dates for Exploratory and application submission deadlines:
    • Panel session: June 30, 2026 - submission deadline: June 12 - ITA deadline: June 1
    • Panel session: September 29, 2026 - submission deadline: September 14 - ITA deadline: September 1
    • Panel session: December 1, 2026 - submission deadline: November 13 - ITA deadline: November 1
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