Regulatory sandbox application form (user testing only)

First published: 08/07/2021 Last updated: 08/07/2021

This form is for user testing

Getting started

The regulatory sandbox allows businesses to test innovative propositions in a live environment. We assess regulatory sandbox applications against our eligibility criteria.

Please note that we will only accept completed applications via the web form. Please note that if you are using the web form any progress will not automatically be saved. We would advise you to complete your application form offline and input your answers on the web form once completed. For a pdf copy of the application questions please visit (tbc).

About Your Firm
Type of organisation
Firm type (please check one of the boxes below):
About Your Innovation
Please provide an indication of the main technology that is used to enable your innovation, please select multiple if they apply and provide a short explanation in the free text box if possible.
Meeting our eligibility criteria
Explain how your idea is a regulated activity or supports regulated business in the UK financial services market. Your response should consider where you believe your idea fits within the regulatory perimeter. If you believe your idea falls outside of the perimeter, please explain your relationship with a business in the FCA’s regulatory perimeter. You may wish to look at the Perimeter Guidance Manual (PERG) section 2.7 in the FCA Handbook for guidance on regulated activities.
 
Explain how your idea is new or a significantly different offering in the marketplace. Please include reference to any competitors in the market you are targeting.
 
Your Testing Plan
Diversity & Inclusion

The FCA believes that diversity and inclusion are regulatory issues, and this extends to the support we offer in the sandbox. Diversity of experience, thought, and participation at senior levels leads to well-rounded decision-making, enabling firms to better meet the needs of all consumers. We consider diversity important to the health of the FinTech ecosystem, and we welcome applications from underrepresented groups (including female and minority-led firms).

We have an interest in understanding the extent to which sandbox applicants have implemented working practices aimed to promote diversity and inclusion. We encourage applicants to share details of any policy documents outlining their approach to these topics.

To gauge the balance of representation in senior leadership, we are taking a holistic approach by requesting data covering the protected characteristics of gender, race, sexuality, religion, age and disability, whilst also seeking insight into the social backgrounds of senior leaders in FinTech.

We understand that some firms may not already capture all (or part) of the requested information, so please answer the questions to the extent that you are able. An applicant’s inability to provide this information, or preference not to share, will not adversely impact any element of the decision to be made regarding the application.
 

We define a “senior leadership team” as salaried employees of the applicant firm e.g. Founders, Chief Executive, any individuals with Senior Management Functions.
 

If you have selected prefer to self describe use the below free text to outline how the relevant individual(s) identify.

By submitting this form, you consent to us sending you emails on your application to the regulatory sandbox. We process personal data in line with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018. See our privacy notice for more information about the way we use the personal data collected in this form.