Feasibility study funding
Sandpit 1 – ‘Diagnosis and Monitoring’
The BreatHE IN Network invites researchers, practitioners, industry partners and community stakeholders to register to attend our first sandpit event. This sandpit is an in-person, collaborative event designed to bring together diverse expertise to shape new feasibility study ideas focused on the sandpit theme of ‘Diagnosis and Monitoring’ of building indoor environments.
We do not expect any preformed proposals at this stage, the sandpit will allow individuals to come together, share ideas, hold discussions and provide a forum to develop potential collaborations to strengthen feasibility study funding applications.
Travel bursaries are available for early career researchers to attend the sandpit.
Event details
Date: 29th April 2026
Time: 10:00–16:00
Location: University of Birmingham
Attendance: In person
Expression of interest submission deadline: 13th April 2026
Register and submit EoI formTerms of application
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for feasibility study funding (projects up to £72k FEC):
- UKRI eligibility rules apply
- Early Career Researchers are particularly welcome, provided their fixed-term contracts cover the project duration.
- Collaborations with industry, policy and other non-academic partners are strongly supported. While project leadership must sit within a HEI or research centre, partners from all sectors are encouraged to play an active role.
- PhD students are not eligible to apply as project leads but can submit proposals with a supporting PI.
- Team submissions are welcome. One person can submit the EoI on behalf of the whole team. Please include the names of all group members in the EoI and if these members wish to attend the sandpit they need to separately register.
Application process
- Submission of an expression of interest
- Attendance in person at the sandpit event
- Participants will be asked to give 3-min introductions of their research interests and expertise during a concept sharing session in the sandpit and will receive feedback and have the chance to establish collaborations
- Apply for feasibility study funding (information on process released at sandpit)
Ideas/Topics
Topics must be limited to A) Diagnosis and B) Monitoring, but not limited to the identified sub-items listed:
A) Diagnosis
- Identifying and characterising pollution sources across UK dwellings
- Using the BreatHE IN indoor pollution source tool to highlight building‑related health challenges
- Understanding exposure pathways for vulnerable populations
Exploring interactions between building design, occupant behaviour, and indoor air quality
B) Monitoring
- Low‑cost pollutant monitoring (e.g., CO₂, specific VOCs, pathogens)
- Novel sensing opportunities for pollutants currently difficult to detect
- Reference‑instrument studies in real‑world settings (homes, offices, hospitals, schools)
- Activity monitoring (e.g., occupant behaviour, window/door opening) with full consideration of ethical implications Integration of building control system data (e.g., room‑level ventilation rates)
- Machine‑learning‑enabled monitoring networks or digital twins
- Ethical, privacy, and societal considerations around pervasive monitoring
We strongly encourage interdisciplinary, cross‑sector, and co‑designed ideas. Industrial, community, and policy partners are especially welcome to contribute perspectives that shape real‑world relevance.
Travel bursaries are available for early career researchers to attend the sandpit (more information in application below).
Formal applications will open 29th April following the sandpit event.
Our funders and partners
