SPARKHub helps research organisations and teams reduce their environmental impact through practical guidance, certification, and community-led good practice. Crucially, it can support all areas and activities related to research (see initial list below). It will be free and open-access to use. Developed by UKRI in collaboration with research communities it is designed to evolve alongside research needs. The project will be supported by international research funding organisations, and the consultation of our governance is under development. Some of the funders being engaged include:
While the platform is still in development, it will provide the research community with:
Benefits will include recognition for those who participate through certification, organisational resources, cost savings for measures, recognition for contribution of content and case studies, easy good-practice sharing, and (most importantly) more sustainable research.
To learn how to get involved, including contributing content or piloting, find out more by contacting directly at UKRIsustainability@ukri.org
Why SPARKHub?
SPARKHub provides transparent, open-access, and comprehensive standards for sustainable research practices. It recognises that many researchers are multi-disciplinary, and so they need a single, easy, source of good practice.
It aligns with the Heidelberg Agreement, as well as provides a framework to achieve much of the UK Concordat for Environmentally Sustainable Research & Innovation Practice. Its governance is led by research funders to allow a unified approach to more sustainable research.
Who has initiated SPARKHub?
UKRI has developed SPARKHub with input from research funding organisations, health professionals, and the research community. UKRI will hand over management of the platform to an international body in 2026, and join a governance board made up of invested funders.
Who can use SPARKHub?
While all content is open-access, the platform is targeted at anyone working in publicly supported research areas, and supports researchers, technical staff, sustainability managers, research management, funders, and operational staff.
What does SPARKHub provide?
SPARKHub provides concrete actions and guidance and allows research groups to track their progress and achieve recognition. Scroll up to see some of the research activities which will be covered. If you wish to contribute to one you don’t see, get in touch.
How does SPARKHub align with organisational certifications?
Application of SPARKHub will support organisational certifications (for e.g. EMAS, or some ISO standards), in that it provides actionable steps for groups and organisations to take.
How will content be managed?
SPARKHub will provide a transparent mechanism for quality assurance on content development. As such, a board of experts will be selected to curate content. To apply to be on this board, a call-out will be conducted with application requirements and benefits outlined in 2026.
Should you wish to contribute any content you have available, you may either submit a case study (portal will be live from January 2026) or get in contact. All contributors will be recognised.
How has the platform and content been developed?
To develop the mechanism of certification and platform, UKRI organised a series of workshops and consultations over the past year. If you or your organisation wish to input, there is still time as the platform is still under development.
The content has been sourced from a variety of experts around the sector, and authorship / sourcing is provided for transparency and recognition of those who have commendably supported this initiative.
