Applications Open for ICO Grants Programme!

Deadline: 28 July 2017

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is seeking applications for its grant programme to support independent research into privacy and data protection issues and develop privacy enhancing solutions.

Objectives

support and encourage research and privacy enhancing solutions in significant areas of data protection risk, focused on projects that will make a real difference to the UK public;
increase awareness of privacy enhancing solutions with data controllers across the UK;
improve understanding of how individuals view privacy issues, interactions with new technologies and promote better public awareness;
promote uptake and application of research results by relevant stakeholders, including policy makers; and
develop existing privacy research capacity in academic and not-for-profit sectors.

Funding Information

A number of awards will be made each year of between £20,000 and £100,000.

Research Theme for Applicants

increase the public’s trust and confidence in how data is used and made available;
improve standards of information rights practice through clear, inspiring and targeted engagement and influence;
maintain and develop influence within the global information rights regulatory community;
stay relevant, provide excellent public service and keep abreast of evolving technology; and
enforce the laws we help shape and oversee.

Eligibility Criteria

The scheme is open to both UK and international organisations. All proposals must meet the objectives mentioned above, including the ability to deliver for UK individuals and organisations. ICO will not be able to consider proposals that seek to find a solution to data protection or privacy risks that do not impact on the UK.

Eligible applicants (whether lead or joint) can include:
- academic institutions;
- organisations with a genuine commitment to public benefit outcomes;
- trade and industry associations; or
- civil society groups.
Those who would not be eligible include:
- political parties and organisations;
- religious groups and organisations;
- current or former employees of the ICO;
- any individual who has been disqualified as a director in accordance with the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986;
- any organisation or individual subject to insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, including voluntary arrangements with creditors; or
- any organisation that has been the subject of an enforcement notice, monetary penalty notice or legal proceedings by the ICO Enforcement Department.