Arts and Humanities Research Council Impact Acceleration Account

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) projects we fund are dedicated to generating a vibrant future for society and the economy through arts and humanities research.

This account is now funding projects through the Harmonised Impact Acceleration Account

Our projects place an emphasis on multidisciplinary and collaborative partnerships. Project funding will enhance the health and well-being of the world around us through values-driven creativity.

Aims

AHRC funding supports world-class research in a wide range of subjects from history and archaeology to philosophy and languages, as well as in relation to the design and effectiveness of digital content and the impact of artificial intelligence. Our aims for our IAA projects build on the AHRC’s objectives:

Discovering ourselves

We will nurture and grow approaches to impact and innovation that centre on the human experience, driving and shaping the specific contributions and transformation that arts and humanities researchers can bring through open, ethical and engaged enquiry and co-production with partners and communities.

Contemporary challenges

We will support our researchers to continue to work at the forefront of contemporary challenges, bringing learning from the past and analysis of the present to imagine a new future.

Cultural assets

We want to benefit organisations, communities and individuals who preserve and advocate for our cultural assets (whether places, collections or communities) or who are committed to environmental sustainability and the regeneration and economic development of de-industrialised and ‘left behind’ places, locally and globally.

Creative economy

We will support colleagues to continue to build and cultivate partnerships that use creative methodologies to build an innovative cultural sector, particularly as the creative industries recover from the pandemic.

Funding

The next call will launch on 9 May 2023 and be open for 9 weeks. Application must be submitted by 12 July 2023 and decision panels will take place in September 2023. Application outcomes will be announced in October 2023, successful projects are for a duration of up to 12 months.

Initiator fund

This stream provides up to £5,000 to seed impact and innovation in areas where small-scale investment has the potential to reap significant benefits. This stream nurtures and grows projects and partnerships and encourages risk taking, providing opportunity for fast failure.

Accelerator fund

This stream provides up to £15,000 to grow and accelerate impact and support opportunities from emerging challenges. This stream funds partnerships with a proven track record of generating impact, as well as new partnerships with potential for real growth.

Placement fund

This stream provides up to £15,000.

From 2022 to 2025, the AHRC IAA has contributed £450,000 towards the university’s Harmonised Call and will continue to fund new projects which fulfil the Council’s aspirations.