The NORF 2025 Open Research Fund is a targeted call aimed at existing networks formed in response to the implementation of priority actions funded under the NORF 2022 Open Research Fund.

The NORF 2025 Open Research Fund is provided by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science through the Higher Education Authority. The funds are administered by the Digital Repository of Ireland as the coordinating organisation for NORF, headquatered under the legal entity of the Royal Irish Academy.

NORF 2025 Open Research Fund Call

FAQs

ppead What is the difference between a Network Partner and a Network Affiliate?

A Network Partner is an individual or organisation that plays an active role in the collaboration, development, and delivery of the network’s objectives. Network partners may request funding from the award and contribute expertise, infrastructure, or resources to strengthen the network’s impact and sustainability. They are required to sign a Consortium Agreement within three months of the project start date.

A Network Affiliate, on the other hand, is an individual or organisation that contributes to the network in an advisory or governance capacity, such as serving on advisory boards, oversight committees, or steering groups. Affiliates do not directly undertake network activities or tasks and are not eligible for funding from the award. They are not required to sign a Consortium Agreement.

Clarifications regarding eligible costs

The budget table in the application form outlines potential costs under the subcategories of personnel costs, other direct costs, and overheads. Please note that the areas identified within these subcategories are suggestions; please remove any that are not applicable and add other areas as needed. In relation to personnel, costs for both existing staff and/or newly hired staff for the project are eligible. Buy out costs for permanent existing staff are allowed (to support existing staff participation in a project through buy out of teaching or other duties), and must be clearly justified as with other costs. Equipment costs needed to implement the proposed project are eligible (i.e., infrastructure and associated services). FAIR data management costs refer to data management costs for data generated by the project and incurred within the lifetime of the project (i.e., necessary to manage, store, and archive data produced by, during and about the project).

Do Lead Applicants and network partners need to be named individuals?

Yes, persons leading organisational involvement and responsible for delivery are required for the Lead Applicant and any partners. It is understood that contributing personnel or persons executing the project may be subject to change.

Who is eligible to be a Lead Applicant for the 2025 Open Research Fund?
To be eligible, Lead Applicants must meet the criteria outlined in the call specification document. The Lead Applicant must hold a salaried position that covers the duration of the award at the Host Institution. This means the Lead Applicant must be employed by the Host Institution for the entire duration of the award.

Additional requirements apply if the applicant was not the Lead Applicant on the related project funded under the 2022 Open Research Fund. If the proposed Lead Applicant did not have a direct and substantial leadership role in the 2022 NORF project (or projects, in the case of a joint application), the application will be ineligible.

Can networks share resources such as staff and budget?

Yes, networks can share resourcing — including staff and budget — in the following ways:

1. By submitting a joint proposal – Two or more projects can collaborate and apply together as co-leads.

2. By becoming a network partner on another project’s proposal – One project can formally join another’s application as a network partner (refer to Network Partner definition above).

Do (maximum) budget ranges include overhead costs?

Yes, budget ranges in the call include overhead costs (to be calculated as 25% of full salary costs).

Are in-kind contributions or co-funding permitted?

Yes, in-kind contributions or co-funding by the lead applicant and/or project partners is permissible. Such contributions must be clearly indicated and itemised within the proposed budget.

Can two or more networks make a joint proposal?

Yes, two or more eligible networks (i.e. networks arising from projects funded under the 2022 Open Research Fund) may partner on a joint proposal, with one designated as the Lead Applicant. However, only one application per network is permitted, whether submitted individually or as part of a joint proposal.

Can a new entity or organisation be formed under this fund?

No, the 2025 Open Research Fund is intended to sustain and grow networks established under the 2022 Open Research Fund. Applications — whether individual or joint — must not propose the formation of a new entity or organisation, as this would render the application ineligible.

Applicants should ensure their proposals focus on building upon and strengthening existing networks, not creating new structures.

Are co-leads allowed or must there be a single lead applicant?

The inclusion of co-leads is permissible, however a Lead Applicant should be identified for the purposes of administration of the scheme, such as for communication, progress reporting, and financial transfers.

Is an all-island approach permitted by the funding?

The inclusion of partners in support of an all-island approach is permissible, however proposers should ensure that appropriate governance and oversight arrangements will be in place between partners (e.g. through a grant agreement) for management of funding and reporting processes.

Contact Details

For more information on the NORF 2025 Open Research Fund call, contact: