From Ideas to Impact
Financial Pathways Research Funding Sprint Sparks New Collaborations
In April 2026, our Financial Pathways Theme brought together researchers, policymakers, community energy practitioners and industry experts for the Financial Pathways Impact Research Funding Sprint at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.
Building on the momentum created through the Financial Pathways to Net Zero Incubators, the two-day event was designed to move beyond discussion and towards action. As the UK enters a new phase of climate delivery, with increasing focus on renewable energy deployment, retrofit, local energy systems and place-based investment, participants were challenged to identify the research questions that matter most and develop collaborative projects capable of securing future funding and delivering real-world impact.
Tackling the Next Generation of Net Zero Challenges
Across the two days, participants worked in multidisciplinary teams to refine ideas, challenge assumptions and develop project concepts. Through facilitated discussions, focused thematic sessions and critical roundtable reviews, the event created space for new partnerships to form and for ambitious ideas to be tested and strengthened.
The workshop focused on a set of pressing questions emerging as climate action moves from ambition to implementation.
Discussions explored how local and community energy generation can be integrated into the wider energy system, how ownership models shape economic and social outcomes, and how place-based approaches can better connect energy generation with retrofit, heat decarbonisation and community wellbeing.
Supporting Ideas Beyond the Event
A key objective of the Funding Sprint was to ensure that promising collaborations did not end when participants left the room. To help maintain momentum, Financial Pathways subsequently launched a Seed Funding Call, providing support for projects emerging directly from discussions at the event.
We are delighted that two collaborative projects have now been awarded seed funding and are progressing towards larger external funding opportunities.
The two projects will address distinct but complementary aspects of the clean energy transition:
- The first aims to improve understanding of how energy resilience changes across space and time as the transition progresses.
- The second will examine how household characteristics, community dynamics and delivery systems shape participation in low-carbon retrofit and community energy initiatives.
Together, they explore some of the most significant challenges facing the transition to net zero, generating evidence and partnerships that can inform policy, support communities and guide future investment decisions.
The seed funding awards demonstrate the value of creating dedicated spaces where researchers and practitioners can come together to co-design impactful research from the outset. By supporting collaboration at an early stage, the Alliance is helping build the foundations for future projects that can contribute directly to Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
Looking Ahead
The Financial Pathways Impact Research Funding Sprint demonstrated the strength of the growing Financial Pathways network and the appetite for collaborative, impact-focused research. Bringing together a diverse group of participants created opportunities not only to identify shared challenges but also to begin developing practical solutions.
As the two seed-funded projects progress and new funding opportunities emerge, the relationships and ideas developed during the Sprint will continue to shape the next phase of Financial Pathways activity.
