FAO Academics, Researchers, Research Managers and JRMO colleagues
We have been made aware of various challenges with the new TFS portal for applying for various UKRI funding, which has resulted in missing deadlines due to system crashes. This is wide spread and not solely an issue for QMUL, with this in mind please can you make sure that you allow plenty of time for the submission part of the process, normally we’d ask for 48 hours’ notice of a submission, but given the issues I would ask you to get your application ready for submission 5 working days before the deadline. For some of you this internal deadline will have already passed, so I ask that you look to b ready to submit as soon as possible.
Furthermore, with the new system JRMO are no longer able to make amendments to and errors with costings entered into the TFS portal, if there is an error the application will need to be returned to the applicant, which would create further delays.
We will continue to raise issues with the funder, and hope that they rectify them as soon as possible, there is wider comms going on around the Russell Group as everyone is facing challenges. As always our dedicated preaward team and management teams are ready to assist with any queries, I do ask that you be patient given the national widespread issues faced.
Please forward this email to anyone who may be involved with any funding applications through UKRI, specifically ones where the submission is through the TFS portal.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Stephen Ford (Stephen.Ford@qmul.ac.uk)Assistant Director for Research Operations