DisCouRSE Flexible Funding Call: Building a Community of Leaders

UK research depends on the expertise of a wide range of people whose skills are vital but too often overlooked. From software and data to systems and infrastructure, digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) form the backbone of modern research.

Yet despite being essential, many of these roles remain undervalued, poorly recognised, and precarious. Too often, dRTPs encounter a “glass ceiling”: limited promotion prospects, unclear career pathways, and patchy training opportunities. While some communities - such as Research Software Engineers - are relatively well established and supportive, many other dRTP roles remain more isolated.

We risk losing talent and hindering research without leadership development, sustainable career structures, and stronger communities.

That’s why DisCouRSE: Developing a Community of Leaders was created.

The DisCouRSE Network+ project is designed to support the development of leaders of all kinds across all digital Research Technical Professional roles.  The project is led by Jonathan Cooper (UCL), with Kirsty Pringle (EPCC) as project co-lead and community lead, working to build connections across the wider dRTP landscape. 

Our goal is an empowered and connected community equipped to shape the future of digital research. We have a twin focus: leadership training and sustainable career pathways - preparing the next generation of leaders and ensuring there are roles and structures in which they can thrive.

And our first Flexible Funding Call is now open!

About the Flexible Funding Call

The DisCouRSE Flexible Fund will provide small grants (up to £10K) to support community-led projects that strengthen leadership, skills, and career pathways for digital Research Technical Professionals. We recognise that people working in the research technical profession landscape are most likely to see the gaps, challenges, and opportunities in their daily work. The flexible funding is designed to give those ideas room to grow, turning them into models that can influence institutions, policy, and the wider research ecosystem.

This first round is deliberately broad: whether you’re expanding something already underway, trialling a new approach, or testing a proof of concept to support a larger future proposal, we want to hear your ideas.

Key dates

• Call opens: 22 September 2025
• Informative webinar with Q&A: 6 October 2025, 10:00 BST
• Submission deadline: 14 November 2025, 16:00 GMT
• Decisions notified: 19 December 2025
• Project start dates: between 1 January and 1 April 2026
• Projects must finish by 31 March 2027

See https://discourse-network.github.io/funding/round-1.

We anticipate funding 10–20 projects in this first round, with budgets of up to £10k (100% fEC). Applicants will normally be funded at 80% fEC, with their institution covering the remainder. Projects should last no more than 12 months.

The scheme is open to all dRTPs - including data scientists, research infrastructure engineers, data stewards, technical specialists in the arts and humanities, and beyond. If your work contributes to sustaining and advancing digital research, this call is for you.

Call for reviewers

To make this scheme work, we also need reviewers. We’re looking for people from across the dRTP landscape to help assess proposals.

Reviewing is a chance to:

• Influence the direction of the Network by helping select impactful projects.
• Gain insight into the breadth of activities happening across the dRTP space.
• Develop your own leadership skills by contributing to community decision-making.
• Strengthen your CV with recognised service to a national UKRI-supported network.

We especially welcome reviewers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, and those at different career stages. If you’ve never reviewed before, don’t worry: training and guidance will be provided.

How to get involved

• Applicants: Full details of the scheme, eligibility, and application process are available on the DisCouRSE website. Applications must be submitted by 16:00 GMT on 14th November 2025.
• Reviewers: Expressions of interest will open alongside the call. If you’d like to register your interest sooner, please contact us.
• Network: Join our network to find out more about the project.

Whether you apply for funding, volunteer as a reviewer, or simply spread the word, we invite you to be part of building a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable future for digital research.