STFC Research and Innovation

1. STFC Research and Innovation University of Leicester 2 April 2014 Colin Vincent & Kim Burchell, Astronomy Division Programmes Directorate

2. We Inspire We Excite We inspire

3. We discover We innovate

4. Funding Mechanism HM Government (and HM Treasury) RCUK Executive Group

5. Daresbury Laboratory Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus Warrington, Cheshire UK Astronomy Technology Centre Edinburgh Polaris House Swindon, Wiltshire Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Oxford Science and Innovation Campus Chilbolton Observatory Stockbridge, Hampshire Joint Astronomy Centre Hawaii Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes La Palma

6. STFC Structure – Science Programmes • Futures • Innovations • Particle Physics / Nuclear Physics / Particle Astrophysics • Astronomy • Lasers & light sources • Public Engagement • Studentships / fellowships John Womersley - CEO Grahame Blair – Executive Director Programmes Astronomy: Colin Vincent - Head Sharon Bonfield - Facilities Kim Burchell – Grants Matthew Johnson - SKA Janet Seed – Associate Director Programmes

7. Astronomy Programmefacilities • The backbone of the programme is: • ESO (VLT, VLTI, ALMA,VISTA, VST, La Silla, APEX, E-ELT) £18M per annum (CERN ~£100M); • Island sites: UKIRT, JCMT, ING, LT • Local facilities: e-MERLIN, LOFAR, HPC • New developments: spectrographs, bilaterals • Exploitation – grants (~£30M, ~£10M p.a.) including space missions, theory etc. • Training – Studentships / Fellowships

8. UK Space Agency • Since 2010 UKSA has: • taken over responsibility for UK relations with ESA (NASA etc.) • support for the development of space instrumentation • post-launch support • all aspects of the development of the UK space industry • STFC retains science strategy, early technology development and exploitation

9. What drives our priorities? BIS Challenges Global uncertainties Digital economy Ageing and wellbeing Living with environmental change Energy Global food security

10. Funding Opportunities • Consolidated grants • Training Awards • Innovations • Futures • Public Engagement • PRD • SoIs

11. Consolidated Grants • One application per department for each research programme (Astronomy/PP/PP Theory/NP) with one deadline per year. • Astronomy award for 3 years. PP awards with core posts are awarded for 4 years. • Expectation of continued support following review of existing grant – but not guaranteed. • Consortium grants: essentially joint consolidated grants and potentially of more interest to smaller departments. Must have a common research programme between the departments. • New Applicant scheme: available for newly appointed academic members of staff joining a department between reviews.

12. Astronomy Grants Panel (AGP) Single Panel comprising 4 sub-panels Astronomy Observation; Astronomy Theory; Solar Studies; Planetary Studies Chair Ian Smail, Durham, Deputy Dan Brown Lancs Members recommended by community but selected to match required expertise

13. AGP Grant Support Approximately 50 groups currently receiving AGP / STFC support Comprising 300 projects 227 PDRAs 28 Technical posts 5 Project students 71 FTE fEC (Applicant time) 5 Consortium grants : Comprising 9 Institutions

14. Training Awards • Studentships: would need to have grant funding to be eligible for awards and be included in the algorithm; • CASE: could apply for CASE studentships if have collaboration with industry. • Fellowships: the quota of allocations to departments is decided by the active staff numbers that have been collected for the studentship algorithm. • We are considering the terms of the algorithm so might become easier

15. PhD Studentships • 220 PhD places awarded in 2014 • Duration of between 3 and 4 years • Awarded by an algorithm method • 5 Industrial CASE studentships awarded in 2014 (next closing date 10 July 2014) • 5 Summer schools and short courses also supported in 2014 • STEP (post PhD submission) up to one year of funding

16. Ernest Rutherford Fellowships • Scheme is designed for early career researchers of more than 2 years post PhD experience, with clear leadership potential to establish a strong, independent research programme. • 12 ERFs awarded in 2013/14 exercise • Next closing date 25 September 2014 • Returner applications for candidates returning from career breaks or from working outside of academia are encouraged by STFC • STFC also support Daphne Jackson Fellowships

17. Ernest Rutherford Grants • Additional grants for successful Ernest Rutherford Fellows to enhance their fellowship reach • 7 grants awarded in 2014 • ~ £600k per annum available

18. Innovation • Follow-on funding • Innovation Partnership Scheme • Challenge-Led Applied Systems Programme • Impact Acceleration Account • Knowledge Transfer Network

19. Follow-On Funding

20. Innovation Partnership Schemes (IPS) - Full and Mini

21. Challenge Led Applied Systems Programme (CLASP) Applies STFC research to global challenges • User community (Industry, Government etc.) define the priority areas. STFC community respond with potential solutions. • 2014 theme is Healthcare – Launch Event 20th May. Deadline September • Moving technology from TRL 3-5 (approx). • Short technical outline should include impact, timescales, markets and work plan • Shortlisted applicants: • Develop full proposals with advice from CLASP Panel • Industry can offer in-kind support or as a subcontractor • www.stfc.ac.uk/clasp

22. STFC Impact Acceleration Account – Pilot

23. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

24. Thank you Key Contact at STFC: phillip.tait@stfc.ac.uk www.stfc.ac.uk/workingwithindustry www.stfc.ac.uk/commercialisation