Custom Alerts

Custom Alerts (type: custom) give you full flexibility to monitor exactly what matters to you. Instead of using one of the six predefined alert types, you define a search query and the system runs it on a schedule, delivering results with AI-generated insights each time.

Custom Alerts are the right choice when your monitoring needs do not fit neatly into the other alert categories, or when you want to replicate a specific saved search as an automated, recurring check.

How It Works

A Custom Alert stores a search query and runs it periodically against the current funding catalogue. Each run produces a fresh set of results, which the LLM summarizes to highlight what is new or changed since the previous run. You receive the summary along with direct links to each matched opportunity.

Setting Up a Custom Alert

1. Navigate to Smart Alerts from the ArkSearch submenu.
2. Click Create Alert and select Custom Alert.
3. Define your search:
   • Query text -- Enter the search query you want to run. This uses the same semantic search as the main Search page, so natural-language descriptions work well.
   • Filters (optional) -- Apply any combination of the advanced filters to narrow what the alert monitors.
4. Choose your frequency: daily, weekly, or monthly.
5. Save the alert.

What You Receive

Each notification includes:

• Matched opportunities -- Results from the latest run of your query, displayed as opportunity cards with title, funder, deadline, days-until-deadline badge, and AI insight.
• AI-generated summary -- A contextual overview that explains the results, highlights what is new since the last run, and connects findings to your query intent.
• Direct links -- Each matched opportunity links to its detail page.

When to Use Custom Alerts

Custom Alerts are most valuable in these scenarios:

• Niche research areas -- When your research topic is highly specific and the predefined alert types are too broad or too narrow.
• Automating saved searches -- If you have a saved search you re-run regularly, converting it to a Custom Alert eliminates the manual step.
• Cross-cutting monitoring -- When you need to track opportunities across multiple programmes and disciplines with a single query.
• Temporary campaigns -- Set up a Custom Alert for a specific proposal cycle or funding window, then delete it when the window closes.

Tips

• Mirror your best searches. If a search query on the main page consistently returns good results, use the exact same query text for a Custom Alert.
• Use filters to reduce noise. A broad query like "climate change" will produce many matches. Add programme, budget, or deadline filters to focus the alert on actionable results.
• Adjust frequency to match the domain. Fast-moving programmes with frequent new calls benefit from daily alerts. Stable programmes with annual cycles work better with weekly or monthly frequency.