The Nexer Digital contract, which runs for one year backdated to March 2021, followed a competitive tender process to provide user research, interaction and service design expertise for the development of UKRI’s new digital funding service.

The contract will see Nexer Digital collaborate with UKRI’s in-house team to simplify the funding process for research and innovation, which UKRI said it hoped would allow applicants to spend more time on their research.

Nexer Digital was set up in 2007, and is a digital UX agency focusing on digital products and services to help people live and work better.

Shaun Gomm, commercial director at Nexer Digital, said: “We are very pleased to be working with UKRI as they work to make the process of applying for funding simpler and more accessible.

“Our work will support this ambition and allow those seeking funding to spend more time on their important work rather than time-consuming administration.”

Anne Sofield, simpler and better funding programme director at UKRI, said: “Nexer Digital’s experience will enable us to tackle the current challenges faced by applicants and their organisations.

“We will be working collaboratively to ensure that the platform is future-proof, secure and represents good value for money.”