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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS

THE RESEARCH COUNCILS. Office of Science and Technology (OST)

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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS

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  1. THE RESEARCH COUNCILS

  2. Office of Science and Technology (OST) OST: part of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and under the Chief Scientific Advisor (currently Professor Sir David King) provides the central focus for consideration of science and technology issues across Government. It has the responsibility for the Science Budget and the work of the eight Research Councils.

  3. CSR: Comprehensive Spending Reviews • Science Budget 2005-06 to 2007-08 • The Government is substantially increasing spending on science. Between 1997 and 2007 the science budget will have more than doubled, rising to £3.4 billion in 2007-08. • This has enabled the Research Councils to substantially raise their support for research and make a major start repairing the scientific infrastructure. • Science Budget 2008 – 2011 • Average of 5.4% per year increase in budget • (2.5 % in real terms).

  4. CSRO7 • £’000 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 CSR07Total End CSR07Increase • Research Councils • Arts & Humanities Research Council 96,792 103,492 104,397 108,827 316,716 12.4% • Biotechnology & Biosciences Research 386,854 427,000 452,563 471,057 1,350,620 21.8% • Economics & Social Research Council 149,881 164,924 170,614 177,574 513,112 18.5% • Engineering & Physical Sciences Res. 711,112 795,057 814,528 843,465 2,453,050 18.6% • Medical Research Council 543,399 605,538 658,472 707,025 1,971,035 30.1% • Natural Environment Research Council 372,398 392,150 408,162 436,000 1,236,312 17.1% • Science & Technology Facilities Council 573,464 623,641 630,337 651,636 1,905,614 13.6% • Sub Total Research Councils2,833,9003,111,8023,239,0733,395,5849,746,45919.8% • Less Depreciation & Impairments -85,748 -124,748 -141,748 -153,748 -420,244 79.3% • Total Research Councils - Note 12,748,1522,987,0543,097,3253,241,8369,326,21518.0% • National Academies • Royal Society 41,072 43,360 45,823 48,558 137,741 18.2% • Royal Academy of Engineering 9,752 10,279 12,138 12,826 35,243 31.5% • British Academy 21,385 22,540 25,062 26,448 74,050 23.7% • Total Academies72,20976,17983,02387,832247,03421.6% • Capital Funding • Large Facilities Capital Funding 104,681 104,681 138,428 265,285 508,394 153.4% • University Capital 300,000 266,711 258,149 214,851 739,711 -28.4% • Knowledge Transfer • Higher Education Innovation Fund 85,000 85,000 99,000 113,000 297,000 32.9% • Public Sector Research Establishments 14,000 12,500 12,500 12,500 37,500 -10.7% • Science & Society • Science & Society 11,441 13,441 15,441 17,441 46,323 52.4% • Other Programmes 46,940 8,857 11,557 17,678 38,092 -62.3% • Total Science Budget3,382,4233,554,4233,715,4233,970,42311,240,26917.4%

  5. http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/ • Launched on 1 May 2002 • RCUK is a strategic partnership of all seven research councils established to enhance the collective leadership and influence of the Research Councils and to secure greater strategic coordination in the funding of science • The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK with interests ranging from bio-medicine and particle physics to the environment, engineering and economic research. RCUK works alongside the Office ofScience & Technology (OST) to support the UK’s finest academic researchers and to ensure the best investment of public money in research. • The partnership is led by the RCUK Executive Group which comprises the eight Chief Executives of the Research Councils.

  6. The Research Councils • There are seven Research Councils, established under Royal Charter. DIUS has statutory control of the Councils, supported by the Director General of Research Councils, Sir Keith O’Nions, in the Office of Science and Technology (OST). Council members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, who is answerable to Parliament for the Councils’ activities. • The UK Research Councils are: • Biotechnology & Biological Science research Council (BBSRC); • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC); • Medical Research Council (MRC); • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); • Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) (since 2005) • STFC (since 2006) • Further information about the Research Councils and their activities can be found at: www.rcuk.ac.uk

  7. Merger: April 2007 Engineering & Physical Sciences Astronomy & Nuclear & Particle Physics

  8. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) • www.epsrc.ac.uk • The EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences to help the nation handle the next generation of technological change…. from mathematics to materials science, and from information technology to structural engineering. • It works in partnership with universities to invest in people, scientific discovery and innovation to meet the needs of industry and society. • Its work is complementary to other research investors including other research councils, government agencies, industry and the European Union. It actively engages in and encourages partnerships and collaborations across disciplines, boundaries and the world and actively promotes public engagement in science, engineering and technology.

  9. The Website: Funding for Researchers We fund research in a number of different ways. This section of the website will tell you about the various funding opportunities, as well as providing the Funding Guide, application forms and guidance on how to apply to EPSRC. One of our ways of funding research is through Calls for Proposals. These are requests for research proposals in specific areas. We manage our portfolio of research through Programmes, each covering a broad area. In each programme area you will find information on how we operate, strategy for development of the programme, targets for the year ahead, and reviews and consultations. We provide access to a number of Facilities and Services, such as high performance computing. Details of the services and how to apply to use them can be found in this section. Research proposals are assessed using peer review, with those involved collectively called the peer review college. More information is available on who makes up the peer review college, along with forms and guidance for those undertaking the roles of referee or panel member. Information for Grant Holders includes best practice in conducting research, advice on managing EPSRC research grants, and forms and guidance for completing Final Reports.

  10. PS700 Alan Chadwick; Ingram Room 219 Programmes We fund a dynamic and evolving research portfolio, extending from fundamental research in mathematics, chemistry, computer science and physics to more applied topics in engineering and technology. Each programme has its own objectives and strategies. These are formulated by Programme Managers after consultation with colleagues in academia, industry, government, learned societies, professional organisations and the Strategic Advisory Teams. Programme plans are endorsed by the Technical Opportunities Panel (TOP), the User Panel (UP) and by the EPSRC Council. Programme Managers work closely together to identify important multidisciplinary opportunities. While the importance of maintaining and strengthening individual research disciplines is acknowledged, major breakthroughs often occur when researchers from related disciplines work together. Many EPSRC research activities are co-funded between programmes, with proposals specifically designed to encourage multidisciplinary collaborations. Major cross-EPSRC activities include Novel Computation, Crime Prevention and Detection Technologies and the IDEAS Factory. We also have an active Public Engagement Programme. We manage the Research Councils' Energy Programme and the Basic Technology and e-Science Programmes on behalf of all the Research Councils. Longer-term priorities for EPSRC are provided in our Strategic Plan. A detailed statement of the Research Priorities and Opportunities identified within the EPSRC portfolio is also available. We welcome your comments on both of these documents.

  11. Chemistry Engineering Information and Communications Technologies Infrastructure and EnvironmentInnovative Manufacturing Life Sciences Interface Materials MathematicalSciences Physics Energy Basic Technology e-ScienceCross-EPSRCActivities

  12. Chemistry Programme • Research and training supported by the Chemistry Programme covers a wide range of chemistry, extending to the boundaries with other disciplines such as physics, materials science, engineering and the life sciences. The majority of the Chemistry Programme research grant funding is allocated through responsive mode, and assessed through the Chemistry Panel. • The objectives of the Chemistry Programme are to: • Maintain the health of the chemistry discipline through the support of high quality research. • Support key areas of chemistry research that offer particular scientific and industrial opportunities. • Facilitate research opportunities at the interfaces with other disciplines. • Provide support for a sufficient supply of postgraduate researchers in chemistry with the skills required to meet the needs of industry, public bodies and academia. • Following the International Review of Chemistry which has highlighted the need for more adventure in research, adventure continues to be encouraged in responsive mode but separate pump-priming activities are also planned. The programme continues to recognise the importance of both core chemistry and outreach to other disciplines. The flexibility of EPSRC support through responsive mode and for postgraduate training will continue to be promoted. • The Chemistry Programme also funds national services in mass spectrometry, computational chemistry, solid state NMR, X-ray crystallography, EPR and chemical database. PS700 Alan Chadwick; Ingram Room 219

  13. PS700 Alan Chadwick; Ingram Room 219 • Physics Programme • The Physics Programme supports a broad portfolio of research and training in the areas of atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter, nuclear physics, optics and lasers and plasmas. • The objectives of the programme are to: • Increase the understanding and exploitation of the fundamental properties of matter and energy through the support of leading edge research. • Enhance the excellence of the research base by supporting a high quality portfolio of research and postgraduate training. • Support a pool of talented researchers at all stages of their careers. • Enhance the performance of other disciplines and user communities through the provision of knowledge and trained personnel. • Responsive Mode plays an important role in supporting high quality science and the research community is encouraged to make use of its flexibility. Applicants must contact the Programme Manager or the relevant Associate Programme Manager for consultation regarding the submission of proposals above £1 million. • A full list of mechanisms available for supporting research and collaboration can be found in Funding Opportunities. The Physics Programme has available up to four Postdoctoral Fellowships in Theoretical Physics each year - see latest call for proposals (closing date 18 October 2005).

  14. Calls For Proposals Bridging the Gaps Between Mathematical Sciences, ICT and Engineering EPSRC would like to encourage researchers in the mathematical sciences, information and communication technology (ICT), and engineering to bridge the disciplines in their university and work more closely together. Issued: 26/10/05 Closing Date: 19/04/06 Challenging Engineering 2008-2009 - Call for Outline ApplicationIssued: 4 November 2008 Next Generation Facility Users' Call 2008 Issued: 16 October 2008 Design in the Digital World - Call for Expressions of Interest Issued: 6 October 2008 PS700 Alan Chadwick; Ingram Room 219

  15. PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION Complete Application Form 1 Send to EPSRC 7 6 2 Response EPSRC 3 Comments Sent to 3-4 Referees 5 8 8 4 Comments REJECT PANEL 9 RESULT

  16. Responsive Mode • The majority of research funded by EPSRC is supported through responsive mode. The key features of responsive mode are: • No closing dates - applications may be submitted at any time. • No constraints on the field of research, providing the majority of it falls within our remit. Prominence is given to the applicant as the creative figure who determines the direction of the research. • Research quality, as defined by independent peer review, is the main criterion against which proposals are assessed. • ……. to support a wide variety of proposals, including feasibility studies, instrument development, equipment to support a number of research projects, overseas travel grants and visiting researchers, and long-term proposals to develop or maintain critical mass. • ………is very flexible, with the scale of projects supported ranging from small travel grants to multi-million pound research programmes. High risk/high return research proposals, embracing new concepts or techniques, are particularly encouraged. • ………encourage the involvement of industrial collaborators on responsive mode research proposals, particularly where the involvement can significantly help the progress of the research and the take-up of the research results. • Programme Managers and Associate Programme Managers are happy to discuss your ideas for responsive mode proposals before their submission. We particularly encourage discussion for proposals with a complex management nature, those involving large consortia or those consisting of more than one research theme. • In putting together a Case for Support for your proposal, you should consider how to best use the allowed page limits to reflect the nature of the project. • Proposals should be submitted using the Research Councils' Joint Electronic submission (Je-S) System.

  17. CCLRC: now part of STFC • The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC or CLRC) is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering. It administers the UK's large scale facilities for materials research, laser and space science and alternative energy exploration on behalf of the government, the other UK research funding bodies, universities, and corporate research and development. • It employs about 1700 staff at three locations: • Chilbolton Observatory, near Stockbridge in Hampshire • Daresbury Laboratory. at Daresbury in Cheshire • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot in Oxfordshire PS700

  18. CCLRC The Rutherford High Energy Laboratory was set up on the former RAF Harwell airfield between Chilton and Harwell in 1957, and merged with the Atlas and Appleton Laboratories in 1975 and 1979, respectively, to form the current laboratory. The CCLRC was set up to run RAL as well as Daresbury Laboratory in 1996

  19. In the US: The National Science Foundation (NSF) …….an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" With an annual budget of about $6.06 billion, we are the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. In many fields such as mathematics, computer science and the social sciences, NSF is the major source of federal backing.

  20. The NSF – the US model – since 1950 Research funding begins with workshops and conferences to discuss the progress of science and engineering and what the US needs to accomplish in each field. Next, the agency publishes a notice about a funding opportunity (a "solicitation"), which invites researchers to submit proposals describing their ideas on how to meet a particular need. At any time, scientists and engineers are also welcome to send in unsolicited proposals Merit Review: Criterion 1: What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?Criterion 2: What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity? PS700

  21. Europe • The European Research Council (ERC) is the first European funding body set up to support investigator-driven frontier research. • 7th Framework ………Programme (FP7) • The Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7) is the European Union´s chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007 to 2013. CORDIS is the official portal for participating in FP7 and following related developments in European science and technology. The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research has published two calls for proposals in the Thematic Area of 'Research potential of convergence regions' under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). • The ESF also exists …………………………………………

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