Updated PPI Payment Policy and Budgeting Guidelines Released!

29 Oct 2025

The PPI Ignite Network@ UCC has released updated Payment and Budgeting Policies for PPI, developed in collaboration with UCC Finance and refined with input from a PPI collaborator to make them clearer, more accessible, and aligned with best practice in recognising PPI contributors.

The PPI Ignite Network@ UCC is delighted to announce the launch of the updated Policy on the Payment and Reimbursement of PPI Contributors and the updated Budgeting Guidelines for PPI in Research Applications.

These updated documents provide clear, practical and accessible guidance for researchers planning and managing PPI in their projects, ensuring that contributors’ time, experience, and expertise are recognised appropriately and transparently.

The Payment Policy outlines the steps for determining the most suitable method of financial recognition for PPI contributors, whether through employment contracts, consultancy arrangements, or voucher-based recognition. It also details the correct procedures for reimbursement of vouched expenses, in line with UCC’s financial and auditing requirements.

The Budgeting Guidelines support researchers in building strong, transparent, and fair PPI budgets at the application stage. They encourage early and open conversations with PPI contributors about payment, reimbursement, and non-financial recognition, while also highlighting the importance of documenting assumptions and justifying costs clearly.

Both documents have been developed in close collaboration with the UCC Finance Department, whose expertise ensured that the updated policies align with national financial, tax and audit frameworks. We extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues in UCC Finance for their guidance and partnership in this process.

We also wish to thank our PPI collaborator Sarah Barnes Aabo, who provided invaluable feedback on improving the accessibility and clarity of both documents, helping ensure they can be easily understood and used by researchers and PPI contributors alike.

These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to best practice, transparency, and inclusion in PPI across the UCC research community.

Read the updated policies:

• Payment and Reimbursement Policy

• Budgeting Guidelines for PPI in Research Applications