NNZA Funding Calls Now Open

The Impact Projects Scheme is designed for staff who want to take ownership of a challenge and work directly with external partners to create measurable benefits beyond academia. With funding of up to £30,000, the scheme supports the application of existing research, knowledge and expertise to accelerate Net Zero outcomes while developing leadership, project management, stakeholder engagement and innovation skills. This is an ideal opportunity for colleagues who are motivated by delivering tangible results, influencing practice and demonstrating how university expertise can drive meaningful economic, environmental and societal impact.

The Mobility Scheme is aimed at staff who want to immerse themselves within an external organisation to gain practical insight into how industry, public sector and third-sector partners tackle real-world challenges. Offering funding of up to £15,000, the scheme prioritises experiential learning, professional development and partnership building rather than project leadership. Participants return with new perspectives, stronger networks and a deeper understanding of the opportunities, constraints and decision-making processes that shape successful Net Zero implementation.

The Place Based Training Scheme provides funding of up to £15,000 for short, co-created placements that address specific Net Zero opportunities with external partners. Unlike a mobility placement, the emphasis is on actively contributing to the delivery of a defined project or challenge while learning through practice. The scheme is ideal for colleagues who want hands-on experience, stronger partnerships and the opportunity to build practical capability in innovation, collaboration and place-based impact through meaningful engagement with organisations beyond higher education.

The Training for Impact Scheme provides up to £35,000 to develop and deliver collaborative training programmes that benefit staff across partner universities and external organisations. Designed for colleagues with a passion for professional development and capacity building, the scheme supports activities that enhance skills in innovation, enterprise, policy engagement, public engagement and Net Zero delivery. By creating high-quality training resources and shared learning opportunities, applicants can leave a lasting legacy that strengthens regional expertise and supports the long-term delivery of impact.

The Impact through Engagement Scheme is designed for colleagues who want to tackle the strategic, organisational and system-level barriers that prevent innovations, infrastructure and investments from being implemented effectively. With funding of up to £60,000, the scheme supports engagement activities that align decision-makers, delivery partners, investors and stakeholders around a shared challenge. Rather than focusing on public awareness, it is intended for those seeking to improve coordination, strengthen governance, influence delivery decisions and accelerate implementation. It is an excellent opportunity for staff motivated by creating lasting change through partnership-building, leadership and ecosystem development.

The Public Engagement Scheme supports meaningful two-way engagement with citizens, communities and stakeholders to build understanding, trust and informed participation in Net Zero decision-making. Offering up to £30,000 in funding, the scheme enables staff to co-design solutions, explore public concerns, gather evidence and ensure diverse voices contribute to plans, policies and infrastructure decisions. Unlike the Impact through Engagement Scheme, the focus is on dialogue and participation rather than organisational delivery challenges. It is ideally suited to colleagues who are passionate about inclusive engagement, social legitimacy and creating community-informed pathways that support the successful transition to a low-carbon future.

The Commercialising Innovation (Consortium) Scheme is designed for researchers and innovators who have a technology, process or policy solution already progressing at TRL, MRL or SRL 5–6 and are ready to take the next step towards deployment. With funding of up to £55,000, the scheme supports collaboration with regional non-HEI partners to validate demand, strengthen commercialisation pathways and accelerate implementation. It is ideally suited to applicants who want to translate innovation into tangible economic and societal value while working closely with organisations located across the North East, Teesside and Humber region.

The Commercialising Innovation (Collaborative) Scheme supports academics seeking to accelerate commercialisation through strategic relationships with organisations outside the North East, Teesside and Humber. Offering up to £55,000, the scheme helps innovators access new markets, capabilities, expertise and investment opportunities that can strengthen pathways to adoption and scale-up. Unlike the Consortium scheme, the emphasis is on leveraging extra-regional partnerships to generate regional impact. This opportunity is particularly attractive to applicants looking to position their innovation within national or international networks while delivering long-term benefits for the region.

The Fostering Partnerships (Consortium) Scheme provides up to £65,000 to support ambitious knowledge exchange activities with regional non-HEI organisations. Rather than focusing on commercialising a specific innovation, the scheme is designed to strengthen collaboration, develop networks and create the foundations for future projects, investment and implementation activity. Whether your ambition is to support SME growth, influence policy, strengthen supply chains, or enhance regional capability, this scheme is ideal for applicants seeking to create long-term value by bringing together organisations that share a commitment to delivering Net Zero impact across the North East, Teesside and Humber.

The Fostering Partnerships (Collaborative) Scheme supports high-value knowledge exchange with organisations located outside the region, helping universities access capabilities, markets and networks that can strengthen future impact. With funding of up to £32,500, the scheme is intended for staff who want to build strategic partnerships rather than progress a specific innovation towards commercialisation. By creating relationships that attract inward investment, strengthen capability and open new collaboration opportunities, applicants can help position the region within wider innovation networks while creating benefits that extend well beyond the lifetime of the project.