Published on 20 February 2025
fEC rates for 2025
Effective from 1st February 2025, the new fEC rates for 2025 are now available. Each year, the fEC rates are calculated using a standardised methodology which encompasses all the University’s costs of supporting our research infrastructure. Costs from the last 12 months show that our laboratory space has become more expensive to operate. This is due in part to significant increases in utilities and premises maintenance costs.
Worktribe will be updated with the University's 2025 fEC rates and Facilities rates on Monday 3rd February. To support this, Worktribe will be unavailable to all users from 7am to 9am on 3rd February. Once updated, please follow the guidance regarding proposals which are already in bid development to reflect the new rates.
Researchfish 2025 – submission window opens 3rd February
The annual submission period for UKRI, NIHR, CRUK, BHF, WT and other funders is 3rd February to 13th March 2025, during which time PIs should use their Researchfish account to submit a return on their research outputs. Award holders will have received an email from their funder informing them that they need to complete their annual submission.
Further details can be found on the Research Office website.
New date for RGUG meeting - 12th February
The next Research Grants User Group (RGUG) is scheduled for Wednesday 12th February at 2pm as a Teams meeting. Previously, RGUG had been scheduled for 13th February but has been moved by one day earlier, to avoid clashing with other professional services events taking place on Thursday morning.
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Wednesday 12th February |
2pm – 3pm |
The agenda will include a presentation on; resources and support for engagement, knowledge exchange and impact, as well as Worktribe plans for 2025. This is an open meeting for any staff with an interest in grants administration. If you have any queries, contact Hannah.Pawson@admin.cam.ac.uk
Open Research Europe webinar - 13th February
The EC is funding an Open Access publishing platform for ERC grant-holders to publish their research outputs free of charge. The EC’s Open Research Europe team will present the platform in more detail at a webinar on Thursday 13th February 10:00 – 11:30 GMT, where they will explain how outputs can be published. Please register to participate in the event.
Also a short introduction for ERC grantees about Open Research Europe is now available.
EC webinars on Horizon Europe
The EC will hold a series of webinars in March and early April about; finding Horizon Europe opportunities & partners, managing grants and covering lump sum proposals. The sessions will include expert speakers from the European Commission with the opportunity to ask questions.
The webinars are relevant to researchers and professional services staff. Registration is not required for the YouTube live stream. Webinar details –
- Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe Thursday 13th March, 8:30 – 11:30 GMT
- Grant Agreement Preparation in Horizon Europe Thursday 20th March, 8:30 – 11:45 GMT
- Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal? Thursday 27th March, 9:00 – 11:00 GMT
- Grant Management in Horizon Europe Thursday 3rd April, 8:30 – 11:30 GMT
Your guide to getting the right support from the Cambridge Research Office
Do you need technical support with Worktribe? Got a query about your research grant or contract, but unsure who to ask or where to send it? Have an idea for how Worktribe could be improved? The three main routes to support include:
1. Support for grant applications, contracts, post-award and related processes
- Tag the appropriate person in Worktribe comments (preferred if relating to a specific project or contract) or
- Email the relevant team if unsure (see contact details on the Research Operations Office website)
2. Worktribe access, technical system issues and requesting new/changes to Funders and Organisations
- Email the Cambridge Research Office Service desk cro_servicedesk@admin.cam.ac.uk
- Many legacy Funders and Organisations will not have been transferred to Worktribe. You are encouraged to check the system early in case a request is needed for set up and use the New Funder or Collaborator Form available on Sharepoint.
3. Worktribe feature and system improvement requests
- Use the dedicated ‘Worktribe feature request’ online form. We can make some changes ourselves, and forward other requests to Worktribe Ltd, which regularly reviews feedback from universities like ours to consider for future system upgrades.
Watch this short video for more information.
Staff undertaking postgraduate study whilst employed on a grant
A new Staff Bursary Scheme to support staff undertaking a course of postgraduate study is being introduce from the start of the 2025-26 academic year (replacing the Staff Fee Scheme). In anticipation of the scheme, where it is appropriate for the project, research grant applications can include Research Assistant positions with the possibility of undertaking PhD/MPhil study during their employment as long as the scheme guidelines are met.
All University staff undertaking a postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge that overlaps almost entirely with their employment (for full-time courses) or contributes directly to it (for part-time courses) and who are employed at a minimum of 40% FTE on one of a number of pre-approved grant schemes would be eligible for a bursary.
Identifying dual-use applications before commercialisation
The Research Policy, Governance and Integrity team is sharing the second of the NPSA Trusted Research scenario videos about identifying dual-use applications before commercialisation. The video touches on dual-use research, which requires export control due diligence, as well as the NSI Act, and it explains how proactively identifying dual-use applications of research can help researchers to protect their work, their IP and their reputation. Please use this video in your own communications in your Department or Faculty and include the resources below.
University of Cambridge resources:
- guidance for export control and sanctions
- guidance on the NSI Act
- intellectual property and revenue sharing
External resources:
- The Cabinet Office’s guidance on the National Security and Investment Act for higher education and research-intensive sectors
- The Export Control Joint Unit’s (ECJU) guidance on Export controls applying to academic research and on dual-use items
- The Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) Online Support Tools