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Research and Development Fund

The new DPC Research and Development (R&D) Fund offers grant support for small, practical R&D projects that help DPC Full Members develop, strengthen, or extend their digital preservation practice. The Call for Proposals for the 2025–2026 round is now open, and Full Members are invited to apply.

The Fund is supported by the DPC Supporter Fund, part of the larger DPC Supporter Program, and is open to DPC Full Members in good standing.

For the 2025–2026 funding cycle, £30,000 is available, provisionally allocated as three grants of up to £10,000 each. Projects should be achievable within the year and produce openly accessible outputs that benefit the wider community.

The 2025–2026 cycle is the first time the DPC is able to offer grant funding of this kind to its Full Members.

 Documents

The Call for Proposals for the 2025–2026 round is now open. Please review the Call and use the Application Form below when preparing your submission:

Eligibility Summary

To be eligible for funding:

  • Applications must be initiated and led by a DPC Full Member in good standing.

  • Joint project proposals (i.e. with DPC Associate Members and non-Members) are very welcome provided a Full Member is the lead applicant.

  • Only one grant may be awarded per Full Member per funding round.

  • Work may be carried out by the Member institution, external consultants, or partners, provided the project aligns with the guiding principles outlined in the Call for Proposals.

  • Digitization projects are normally out of scope unless digital preservation is the primary focus.

Full eligibility details are included in the Call for Proposals.

Deadlines

  • Application deadline:
    Monday 16 February 2026, 23:59 (anywhere in the world)

  • Applicants can expect results within 4–6 weeks of the deadline.

  • Projects are expected to begin in March 2026 and conclude by 31 July 2026.

A full provisional timeline is provided in the Call for Proposals.

How to Apply

Please download the Application Form and follow the guidance contained within the Call for Proposals. Completed applications should be submitted to info@dpconline.org by the deadline above.

Contact

For questions about the Fund or the application process, please contact Garth Stewart, Head of Good Practice at the DPC via garth.stewart@dpconline.org

 


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