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A PARTNER-LED FUNDING STRATEGY

One shared proposition.
Distinct work packages.

Help us find the right call, establish eligibility and build a credible application around a research question and a deliverable pilot.

THE PROGRAMME WE WANT TO COST

A starting budget
for discussion.

An illustrative £150,000 feasibility envelope for the wider Justice demonstrator, to be costed with partners. It is not a submitted bid, awarded grant or price for the reading programme below. Cohort, duration and scope must fit the chosen fund.

Co-design and participant involvement£15,000
Justice adaptation, security design and accessibility£35,000
Supervised delivery and staff training£30,000
Employer and post-release pathway coordination£30,000
Independent feasibility and economic evaluation£25,000
Project management and contingency£15,000
Illustrative total£150,000

University overheads, VAT treatment, hardware, AI usage, approvals, insurance and longer follow-up must be resolved in a full costing. Reduce scope or increase the envelope if these exceed the allowance.

VERIFIED FUNDING LEADS

Where a university
could help us start.

Checked 5 October 2026. These are leads for partner assessment, not confirmation of NCE eligibility or funding. Review the official terms and live portal before applying.

LIVE / UNIVERSITY-LED / NARROW INTERVENTION

Reading for Redemption — Phase 2 Expansion

Up to £20,000 per awardCloses 22 November 2026, 11:59pm

UK universities and recognised research organisations can lead, with a participating prison. The core must be curated reading and reflection; an NCE learning module could only be a supporting contribution if the call permits it.

A partner would need relevant delivery experience, prison support and a compliant research plan. An NRC application is required within four weeks of an award. Confirm delivery dates with the funder: the notice contains differing timeline descriptions.

Read the official grant requirements

LIVE / KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER / ELIGIBILITY TO ESTABLISH

Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership — Round 3

Academic–business partnershipCloses 14 October 2026, 11:30am UK time

A university, RTO or Catapult leads with a UK business employing at least two full-time staff. The business contributes to costs. NCE’s eligibility, staffing and match funding are not established; assess readiness before targeting this round or a later one.

Read the official KTP opportunity

REGIONAL GRANT PORTAL / INDIVIDUAL COMPETITIONS

HMPPS Commissioned Rehabilitative Services

Non-profit registration routeScheme notice closes 29 March 2027, 5pm

Regional competitions support rehabilitation and desistance. Registration is not a grant award or evidence that a suitable North-East competition is currently open. A constituted eligible delivery partner could explore calls alongside NCE.

Read the scheme and registration guidance

HOW TO COMBINE FUNDING RESPONSIBLY

Fund the right activity
from the right source.

TECHNOLOGY

Core platform development

Investigate innovation calls that fund the underlying personalisation, secure architecture and economic modelling. Scope, applicant eligibility and match funding depend on the call.

RESEARCH

Independent evaluation

An eligible research institution could lead methodology, ethics, analysis and publication under a suitable research award.

DELIVERY

Justice and community services

Justice, education or community routes may support adaptation, supervised learning and post-release provision where their rules permit.

Maintain separate work packages, timesheets and invoice allocation. Never claim the same cost twice. Declare other funding and check subsidy, procurement, commercial benefit, IP and related-party requirements for each award.

THE BID DEVELOPMENT ASK

Help make the
application fundable.

  1. Agree the research lead, operational partner and accountable applicant.
  2. Choose one fund whose objectives and delivery window fit a realistic intervention.
  3. Co-design the theory of change, measurable outcomes and comparison approach.
  4. Cost staff, technology, participant involvement, approvals and follow-up in full.
  5. Secure required support letters and negotiate data, IP and publication terms.

AN INVITATION TO UNIVERSITIES

Help turn a promising idea
into credible evidence.

We are seeking a university research lead, an operational justice partner and employers willing to help design the first test.

Explore the partnershipEmail Adam