The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council has published a list of tips for researchers who are preparing an impact plan in a research bid as part of the new research council requirements on demonstrating impact. The advice appears in the latest August issue of EPSRC’s Connect newsletter and supplements the existing material on the EPSRC website.

The tips are based on proposals received by EPSRC since impact summaries and plans were introduced in April this year. They are general enough to apply to a proposal to any of the UK research councils so they are well worth reading. Here’s a summary – click through to the Connect newsletter above for the full list:

• The impact plan needs to give more detail on activities outlined in the impact summary.
• Don’t expand the impact plan just to fill up two pages.
• Ask for resources to carry out impact activities.
• Think about impacts on research assistants or project students.
• Be specific about dissemination.
• Involve partners/collaborators in impact activities.

If you need further support when writing the impact plan and summary, please contact us.