Application deadline: 30 September 2026, 11:59pm BST.

The total amount of funds available is £350k, spread across at least two application rounds. In each round we expect to fund several projects (up to £40k).

The maximum allowed duration of each project is 12 months, but most projects are expected to be shorter. Successful projects are expected to start within 3 months from being notified of approval for funding.

The second round of this fund is expected to open in late spring 2027. To be notified when it is opening you can sign up to our mailing list here: https://mailchi.mp/aec876699acd/subscribe-to-charted

Purpose:

The purpose of this fund is to support trainers and training providers in improving the FAIRness (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability) of their training resources. The FAIR principles in their initial form refer to a set of guidelines focused on optimising reusability of data and digital research objects to make them machine-actionable. In other words, to allow computational systems to easily locate, integrate and process data or digital artifacts with minimum human intervention. This definition of FAIR is still valid in the context of training resources but additional elements need to be considered to improve their discoverability and usability for both learners and trainers.

Finding resources that are well aligned with specific learning objectives, knowledge and skill prerequisites,delivery mode and timescales can be very time consuming. This can be especially challenging for task-driven skill development often required in our professional lives. On the other hand, many training budgets are limited to the initial development and delivery of training, and often focused on specific audiences, preventing those resources from being useful for the wider community. Many trainers and training providers realise there is scope to improve human-centric aspects of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability but do not have the means to do so. This funding opportunity aims to support those FAIRification efforts - examples of which include but are not limited to:

  • Adopting common metadata schemas.
  • Improving training resource descriptions (including clearly defined prerequisites and learning outcomes).
  • Creating documentation and process for contributing to the resources,
  • Creating and providing guidance for trainers.
  • Mapping skills from well established frameworks onto training resources, modularising training.
  • Adopting existing training for different delivery modes or audiences.
  • Producing best practice documents for creating or improving FAIRness of training resources,
  • Creating or expanding training courses that focus on FAIR training resources.

CHARTED has created a tool to help identify which elements of existing training resources can be improved and how. It consists of about 50 questions covering different aspects of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability, and produces a report for suggested improvements. Applicants aiming to improve their existing training resources are encouraged to use the tool to scope the work undertaken as part of the project.

Who can apply
The lead applicants should be based at UK universities (they do not need to be academics - all dRTPs are welcome to apply) or UK-based non-profit organisations (who are able to sign and execute grant agreements). Individuals who operate principally as freelance trainers, educators or community managers can also apply.

Please note this fund will cover 80% of the Full Economic Costs (FEC) of the proposed project - in line with the UKRI funding policy. If you think that may prevent your institution from allowing you to apply, please get in touch with us.

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the University of Edinburgh, which will include all relevant terms imposed by UKRI and all applicable call/fund conditions. Provisional grant agreements may be made available upon request.

Collaborative multi-institutional proposals are welcome for larger projects, however, the grant agreement will be signed between the University of Edinburgh (CHARTED’s lead) and the institution of the lead applicant only. It will then be the lead applicants’ responsibility to flow down the grant terms and funds to their partners. It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure their organisations are comfortable with the stipulated conditions. Applicants not applying through a University or other research office are encouraged to seek legal advice before signing the agreements.

Note: Organisations that are not normally eligible for UKRI funding may be considered for support through this flexible funding call. However, any funding awarded must comply with UKRI’s subsidy control regulations. Applicants should be aware that funding may be subject to additional checks, and they may be asked to provide information to demonstrate eligibility under subsidy control rules.
What we're looking for
We expect most projects to either be focused on improving the FAIRness of existing training resources or on creating content (training sources, documentation, best practice guides) for doing so. Other projects may be considered as well if they clearly relate to or enable FAIRification of the training ecosystem. Some examples of projects that would be in-scope include:
  • Improving training resources by:
    • Adding metadata using a common schema;
    • Improving reusability for both trainers and learners - different formats, delivery modes, modularisation, abstracting hardware/tool details from general concepts;
    • Providing support for internal and external trainers, e.g. by providing trainer instructions;
    • Improving maintainability - including version control and well-defined contribution processes;
    • Increasing support for learners - well-defined processes for different delivery modes;
    • Improving accessibility - Improving inclusivity, offering different formats and delivery modes, audience tailored examples and exercises.
  • Linking learning objectives to well-defined skill frameworks (e.g. from the DIRECT or HPC Certification Forum skill tree) to help learners identify training resources with content related to specific skills.
  • Improved cataloging efforts;
  • Creating processes and guides that will help other people create FAIR training resources by design or provide information on how to improve it.
Proposals for different project sizes (up to £40k) are welcome. All project proposals should describe in detail what kind of work will be undertaken. All applicants focusing on improving the FAIRness of their resources are encouraged to use the FAIR evaluation tool created by CHARTED.

The maximum allowed duration of the proposed project is 12 months, but most projects are expected to be shorter. Successful projects are expected to start within 3 months of being notified (or when feasible in case of unavoidable project agreement delays) and should end no later than 6 months before the end of the CHARTED project (30 March 2029).

All successful projects are expected to have clearly defined, achievable and FAIR-related outputs, and to engage with the CHARTED project and the UK dRTP community to disseminate their progress and final outcomes. All outputs are expected to be FAIR and Open. Please see the ‘Dissemination and reporting’ section for more details.
Dissemination and Reporting
The goal of this fund is to improve the FAIRness of training resources needed in the DRI space either by improving the resources themselves or by creating content that supports the FAIRification process. Therefore, one of the key requirements is that both outputs and their FAIRfication process are Open.

All funded projects will be expected to contribute to the CHARTED’s HUB through:
  • Providing a description of the project;
  • Contributing blog posts featuring the work being done (each project will be required to provide at least one post - more if the projects are longer or larger in scope);
  • Sharing the final outputs - either directly on the HUB or linked (as appropriate);
  • Participating and contributing to occasional community events.
Additionally, the funded projects may be asked to share relevant statistical data that was collected during the projects’ duration and that directly contributes to CHARTED’s goal of better understanding and improving the dRTP landscape.

CHARTED is subject to the UKRI reporting requirements and, as a result, all projects funded from CHARTED’s flexible fund are expected to report their progress regularly. All funded projects will be required to provide an end-of-project report and may be asked to demonstrate good financial management. Additionally, longer projects may be required to provide a mid-point report.

We are also hoping to organise a series of community calls to facilitate knowledge sharing between the funded projects.

The template for the reporting document will be made available SOON!
How to apply
Applications are being managed through the Good Grants Platform. You will need to register and sign in to access and complete the online form to submit an application to Fund 1.

Applicants are expected to include the following in their application:
  • Description of the proposed project:
    • If you are proposing to improve a specific course, include the key course information (what it covers, the intended audience, its delivery mode and reach, and any other relevant information) as well as information on what you are planning to improve, why and how.
    • If you are proposing to create guidance for creating FAIR training or improving FAIRness of existing resources (or develop other resources that are in scope for Fund 1) include details on scope, expected use and potential impact.
  • Individuals, institutions and/or organisations involved including their involvement and relevant expertise.
  • Clearly defined outcomes and expected impact.
  • Proposed project outline - including milestones, budget and resourcing information and risk analysis.
  • Detailed breakdown of the expected costs and justification for the requested funds. It is expected that the majority of the budget will be spent on the staff costs - budget outline will be required to be provided as an attachment to the application.
A sample application form for this fund will be made available soon!

Please note that you cannot use this sample form to make an application - all applications must be completed online within the Good Grants platform.
Review Process
Projects will be assessed based on the information provided in the application form only. The application review committee will consist of two external reviewers, and two representatives from the CHARTED project. The review panel will consist of two external reviewers and one CHARTED representative.

Applications will be ranked according to their soundness, ability to deliver and impact of the expected outcomes on the dRTP skills, roles and training landscape. Please see the previous section for details on what should be included in the applications.

The number of applications funded in each round will depend on the quality of the applications and the amount of funds requested.

If you have any questions about the application or review process please get in touch with us at: charted@drtp-skills.ac.uk.