Further information

Will research approaches that are less fully within the AHRC discipline list/remit be considered provided they address the challenge? For example, qualitative research methods drawn from the social sciences?

A key aim of the BRAID programme is to embed voices and perspectives from the arts and humanities into the responsible AI ecosystem. However, the boundaries between the arts and humanities and fields like the social sciences can often be difficult to determine and we are adopting a flexible approach that embraces interdisciplinary methods and transdisciplinary knowledge. We recognise that the social sciences, along with other disciplines, have important contributions to make in many of the challenge contexts. Approaches and research methods drawn from outside of the arts and humanities are permitted where needed to meet the proposal’s objectives and the aims of the funding opportunity. What is important is that a significant portion of the research (i.e. at least 51%) is shown to be informed by or based in the arts and humanities.

Is Responsible AI considered in terms of the AI itself being responsible? Or its development? Or the responsible use of AI?

We are adopting a broad understanding of responsible AI as involving all the approaches mentioned.

Should projects be limited to challenges around general AI or a specific use case?

Projects need not be limited to general AI and specific use cases are acceptable, so long as the approach is well-justified in the proposal and contributes to moving the responsible research and innovation ecosystem forward.

Does the outcome/societal impact have to be uniquely only applicable to the UK or could it be further afield.

Societal impacts need not be geographically limited and we expect in many cases will not be.

I am wanting to work on a project in the Global South. Is the call focused on a UK context or are international collaborations eligible?

While you will need to be based at a UK research organisation, we welcome international collaborations with stakeholders from overseas, including from the Global South.

I would like to express interest in applying for a challenge hosted by a lab in Massachusetts. Is it possible to conduct this project remotely from the UK?

Absolutely. Given the lab for this challenge is based in the USA, both BRAID and the stakeholder expect much of the collaboration to conducted remotely. We recommend when developing your proposal that you consider the need to include a site visit or two to the overseas lab to support delivery of the project. Travel and accommodation costs will need to be factored into the budget proposal. To facilitate this, our Expression of Interest form provides an area for you to raise queries about site visits directly with the stakeholder. You’ll find this form in the Documentation section of our website here.

What characteristics would the non-academic stakeholders have? Do they need to be big companies or could they be smaller charities?

We use the term non-academic stakeholders (NAS) to refer to non-academic parties/organisations who have a demonstrable stake in the UK’s AI ecosystem. This can include organisations from the public, private or third sectors. For example, you might seek to collaborate with a large multinational technology company developing AI, a community group concerned about the effects of AI on their learners, or even a creative entity whose work is subject to use as data by an AI system.

I submitted to the BRAID Scoping to Embed Responsible AI in Context call and wish to apply to the BRAID Fellowships scheme. Please could you confirm that this is permissible?

Yes, you can apply to both the scoping and fellowships schemes. However, it should be noted that standard funding rules apply. Each proposal must be distinct and when taken together must not equate to more than 100% of your time. Otherwise, if you were successful in both applications, you would need to choose between them.

Is there an estimated number of academic-led projects that will be funded or does this depend on the number of challenge-led projects funded?

Projects will be awarded on the strength of the applications received, but as a starting point we are expecting an equal split between challenge-led and academic-led proposals. Our overarching aim is to create a balanced portfolio of projects, considering the diversity of teams, research themes, and geographies in that process.

Regarding the challenge-led pathway, are the non-academic stakeholders participating in the assessment process? Relatedly, am I correct in assuming that there is considerable scope to define projects within the challenges that the non-academic stakeholders have provided? 

Yes, you are correct on both counts. The non-academic stakeholder will be involved in the assessment process and projects will be assessed on whether they address the challenge’s needs. However, there is considerable scope to define projects according to your own approach and methodology and we encourage a broad range of responses.

Are the fellowships something that could be done in conjunction with existing teaching (scaled back/part time maybe)? What salary grades are eligible?

Yes, the funding call is working with the standard UKRI model. Academics at all stages of their career are eligible and the university is responsible for costing your salary. We also appreciate that working full-time on the fellowship may not be possible in various circumstances that include teaching commitments. Where necessary, a fellow could apply at 40% FTE, for example, provided your research can be successfully completed within the time constraints.

I would like to apply but have a query about what would happen if I require a period of leave (for example, maternity leave) during the course of the fellowship. Is there any flexibility for people to still undertake research if leave is required at some point?

Yes, the funding call is working with the standard UKRI model. While grants are cash limited and expenditure against the grant must not exceed the value awarded, there is flexibility to cover parental leave, with provision for the fellowship to be placed in abeyance during the absence and extended by the period of absence.

Can I hire a research associate?

Unlike other grants, Fellowships are designed to be for individual researchers to undertake. While you can include the cost of a short period of research assistance or technical assistance to support specific activities in support of your research project, we expect the fellow to do most of the proposed research activity. We encourage you to refer to the principles of the Research Development Concordat and the AHRC guidance on training and developing early career researchers in the arts and humanities when planning and facilitating the work of any research assistants.

I am currently doing my PhD, will this fellowship available in the next academic year as well?

We are working towards there being a second round of fellowships and will have more information about this in 2024. Meanwhile, we are planning other BRAID programme activities over the next academic year and invite all responsible AI researchers to engage with us. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list here to receive updates of future opportunities.

I have recently completed by PhD and don’t presently have a research affiliation. What would be required from my university to support my application?

In terms of the level of support offered by the university, the main thing that attaches to eligibility is that the university commits to employing you to undertake the project for the duration of the grant. Whether that is on a fixed-term or permanent basis does not affect eligibility. We also want to see why the organisation is supporting the project and its deliverables in terms of the benefits to your career, the field of responsible AI and any other relevant beneficiaries and stakeholders. Given you are an ECR we’d also be interested in information relating to how the organisation will support your career development and training. A template Letter of Support is available in the Documentation section of our website here.

I’m currently a postdoc research fellow and my contract will come to an end this year. Does it mean I’m not eligible to apply for the fellowship?

You do not need a contract with the research organisation to be eligible to apply. In the letter of support, the research organisation will need to commit to contracting you to work on the project for the duration of the fellowship if your application is successful.

Do you have to be working in a university in order to apply for the challenges?

You do not need to be currently working at a university to apply. However, to be eligible your proposal will need the support of UK research organisation and that support must include a commitment to employ you to work on the project for the duration of the fellowship in the event of a successful application.

I am a researcher and arts practitioner. Are standard research costs included in the scope of funding?

Yes, standard research costs are included. Costings need to be comprehensive and justifiable in terms of delivering on the project’s objectives, contributing to your development as a researcher/arts practitioner in the field, and contributing to our goal of embedding arts and humanities research into the responsible AI ecosystem.

Should the budget proposal include the research overhead rates of the university?

Research overhead rates are only applicable for the mentor’s costs which is being funded at 80% fEC and includes salary, estates and indirects. Otherwise, only direct costs for the fellow’s salary, travel and research-related expenditure are eligible at 100%.