May 2008 Issue 61
Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
www.epsrc.ac.uk
Chemical sciences and engineering Grand Challenges Consultation now open EPSRC is working in partnership with the Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network, Institution of Chemical Engineers and the Royal Society of Chemistry to run a consultation to identify opportunities for Grand Challenges in chemical sciences and engineering. Through the process we hope to develop a community-driven strategy for chemical sciences and engineering research in the UK. The ambition of a Grand Challenge should be far greater than what can be achieved by a single research team or using a model of a traditional research grant. What could be achieved on a 20-40 year timescale if researchers, from different research groups, disciplines or institutions, were to work together? What common goals can the research community work towards? The Grand Challenges should be rooted in chemical sciences and engineering but they should also reach out beyond traditional subject bounds as necessary. Responses to this consultation are invited at an institutional, rather than individual, level. Prior to submission we expect that significant discussion and prioritisation of ideas will have taken place within departments and more widely within universities, at all levels, to determine the content of the overall submission. The responses received will be used to identify key areas of interest across the UK. We plan to hold a workshop in the autumn to explore each of these areas in more detail and refine them into discrete Grand Challenge themes. We also expect that through this process researchers will step forward to champion the themes in order to frame and drive follow-on activities. Initial activities may include EPSRC network funding. The deadline for receipt of responses is 11 June 2008.
New EPSRC contacts FOLLOWING our recent restructuring, as reported in the last issue of Connect, we are now able to let you know the names of many of your key contacts in EPSRC. Their roles, direct telephone numbers and email addresses can be found on the back page of this issue. More information is available on our website, including details of the roles and remits of our new Programmes. www.epsrc.ac.uk/contacts
Contact: Katie Daniel, katie.daniel@epsrc.ac.uk Email responses: ChemistryGC@epsrc.ac.uk
Inside of longer, larger grants 2 Funding Encouraging ambition
2 Science for Humanity Research for the poorest
at the Life Sciences Interface 3 Physics Signposting a key area
3 Calls
Forthcoming EPSRC funding opportunities
4 Dr. No
Reviewer selection
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Funding of longer, larger grants New routes to ambitious goals A REVIEW of longer-term funding mechanisms across our
Platform Grants are a flexible mechanism of providing underpinning funding to well established, world-leading research groups. The funding is provided for up to five years, allowing groups to retain key staff, undertake feasibility studies and longer term research and also to network internationally. This flexibility should enable the group to take a longer term strategic view of its research which will be enhanced by the submission of responsive mode applications during the lifetime of the Platform Grant. Further information on both schemes is available on the EPSRC website, and potential applicants are advised to discuss their interest with us at an early stage.
programmes has shown that the stability and flexibility they give allows researchers to be more creative, innovative and able to address key challenges. EPSRC Council has decided that in order to deliver our strategy, the balance of our research portfolio should be realigned to contain a larger proportion of longer, larger grants. As a result, from 1 April of this year, we have launched a new Programme Grant scheme and extended Platform Grants across the whole of the EPSRC remit. Programme Grants are intended for groups or organisations who wish to concentrate their research in specific areas of strength or to develop a cohesive research programme. They are intended to support a major research activity, or a set of closely related activities and should not only clearly demonstrate the added value of the combined programme over that of a number of more traditional grants but also strategic leadership, vision and ambition. We expect that the majority of Programme Grants will require the expertise of a number of internationally recognised scientists or engineers.
Contact: Programme Grants – Anne Farrow, anne.farrow@epsrc.ac.uk Platform Grants – Talit Ghaffar, talit.ghaffar@epsrc.ac.uk
Science for Humanity
Synthetic chemistry studentship research
Tackling global problems AN INNOVATIVE new scheme that will match-make UK scientists with communities in the developing world facing particular problems has been launched today with support from the National Endowment for Science, Technology & the Arts (NESTA) and the Sloane Robinson Foundation. Established as a new not-for-profit organisation, ‘Science for Humanity’ will bring together scientists, international development agencies like Practical Action, and local social enterprises to develop workable and sustainable science-based solutions to specific problems in developing world communities. Issues around water, energy, disease diagnosis and treatment, environmental sustainability and agriculture will all be posed to scientists from across a range of disciplines, who will be encouraged to come forward with ideas for potential solutions. Science for Humanity will then work with scientists, NGOs and a wide range of community partners on the ground to help raise the necessary funds and provide support for those ideas to be put into practice. Baroness Susan Greenfield (founding trustee of Science for Humanity & Director of the Royal Institution) addressed an invited audience at the launch of the scheme. Also commenting at the launch, CEO Philip Rowley said: “The challenges faced by poor people in the developing world are enormously complex. In defining problems, an understanding of the social, cultural, economic and environmental needs of communities is as important as an understanding of the science needs. An integrated approach is required.” Scientists who would like to get involved or who think their research could have broader applications in the developing world are being encouraged to sign up at www.scienceforhumanity.net
Evaluating the portfolio A REPORT from last year’s review of the research carried out by doctoral students in synthetic chemistry is now available. A panel of experts, chaired by Dr Peter Machin, (now an independent consultant but formerly of GSK) met in June to review a representative portfolio of studentships supported on grants (project students), CASE students and students supported on Doctoral Training Grants. 77 supervisors attended the two-day event, presenting posters, and discussing their research with the panel. The panel concluded that the overall quality of the research was internationally competitive, with no discernable difference in the quality of the research delivered between the three schemes. More than three quarters of the studentship projects delivered some publications, while about one in four produced more than four publications. There was evidence of the studentships being used for speculative, adventurous and risky research, and also being used to foster collaborations with other disciplines, for instance the life sciences. Industrial involvement was also excellent: 39% of studentship projects involved industrial collaboration, and just over half of students subsequently went into careers in industry. The panel were supportive of the format of the day, and concluded that studentships make a vital contribution to the research base, and are not simply receiving training. Contact: Zoe Brown, zoe.brown@epsrc.ac.uk Further information: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Programmes/PhysSci/ RC/SyntheticChemStudentshipResearchReview.htm
Baroness Greenfield addressing the launch
2
Connect May 2008 Issue 61
Physics at the Life Calls Sciences Interface
EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training – Call for Outlines Closing date for outlines: 6 May 2008 We are seeking to establish at least 40 centres for doctoral training with an investment of in excess of £250m. Outlines are invited for centres across the remit of EPSRC. Centres for doctoral training in complexity science and materials are particularly encouraged. The mission programmes, Digital Economy, Energy, and Nanoscience through Engineering to Application, will also be funding a number of centres. In addition we will also be supporting a number of Industrial Doctorate Centres across the remit of EPSRC, based on the existing successful EngD Centres. Contact: Alan Thomas, alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Andrew Bourne, andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk
Signposting a key area OUR PHYSICS and Life Sciences Interface Programmes teams have been discussing this exciting interface with their Strategic Advisory Teams over the past year and as a result of these discussions decided to hold a workshop in February 2008. The workshop was designed to initiate and establish a closer sense of community between physicists and life scientists, and to stimulate new interactions. Ultimately we hope to stimulate the submission of a greater number of innovative interdisciplinary research proposals which span the boundary between physics and the life sciences. At the workshop the participants discussed challenges and barriers at the interface, in the process highlighting cultural differences between the communities (particularly in measures of success), alternative forms of language and communication, difficulties accessing people with complementary knowledge, identification of research problems, education and training, divergent career paths and university structures as issues which need to be addressed. There was also a lively discussion about funding opportunities and the application and peer review process. The participants went on to discuss research opportunities at the interface, including: • non-equilibrium thermodynamics • home-based testing and monitoring for healthcare • imaging systems • cell dynamics, growth and death • modelling of complex biological systems • biomimetics and synthetic biology • evolutionary biology • physical and mechanical analysis, and control of cells.
Partnerships for Public Engagement – 12th Call for Proposals Closing date: 8 May 2008 The scheme is designed to enable active researchers to engage with the public, including young people. It aims to communicate the excitement of fundamental and applied research in science and engineering. Awards are aimed at active researchers, in partnership with their research teams and outside specialists or partner organisations that can provide communication expertise. Contact: Katherine Miller, katherine.miller@epsrc.ac.uk Wellcome Trust and EPSRC Medical Engineering Centres – Call for Preliminary Proposals Closing date: 30 May 2008 We are inviting preliminary proposals to fund centres of excellence that integrate physical, engineering, chemical, mathematical or computational sciences with clinical or biomedical research aimed at delivering innovative solutions for healthcare. Contact: John Wand, john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk
A full report of the workshop will be available on the EPSRC website. The respective Heads of Programme announced a new funding opportunity at the workshop – from 1 April the Physics-Life Sciences Interface will be ‘signposted’ in Responsive Mode and up to £8m is available in 2008-09 dependent on the quality of bids submitted. More information about signposting is available on the EPSRC website. Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal ideas with the office prior to submission, for advice about remit and fit to this signposted area.
Research in Flow Chemistry (Continuous Processing) Closing date: 24 June 2008 The EPSRC, in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, is announcing a call for collaborative research proposals in the area of flow chemistry (continuous processing). The aim of this call is to increase the volume of research and training in flow chemistry and to provide opportunities for technology and knowledge transfer between academia and industry. £5.5m is available to support proposals which must have been discussed and approved with GSK/Pfizer before submission. Contact: Mark Hylton, mark.hylton@epsrc.ac.uk
Contact: Kedar Pandya, kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Neil Viner, neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk
Adaptation and Resilience to a Changing Climate Closing date: 26 June 2008 Call for Outline research proposals – Living with Environmental Change is a ten-year programme, spanning Research Councils, governments and business, which will provide decision makers with the best information to effectively manage and protect vital ecosystem services. It will improve our tools and knowledge needed to build resilience, mitigate problems, and adapt to environmental change. Contact: David Holtum, david.holtum@epsrc.ac.uk
No vanishing point… …just a sense of perspectives RESEARCHERS are increasingly being asked to communicate the social and ethical aspects of their work. However, there are few opportunities for early-career researchers to develop their skills in discussing these issues. perspectives, a poster session with a difference, gives you valuable experience in discussing your research with a non-specialist audience. The scheme also provides training in producing and presenting a poster. Finalists will present their posters at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool, where prizes will be awarded by a panel of expert judges. perspectives is open to postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers funded by the UK research councils. The application deadline is 21 May 2008. For more information, and to apply online, visit www.the-ba.net/perspectives.
For up to date information and details of how to apply see www.epsrc.ac.uk
3
Connect May 2008 Issue 61
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
EPSRC Contacts Head of Materials Mechanical and Medical Engineering Annette Bramley 01793 444398 annette.bramley@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Information & Communications Technology Peter Hedges 01793 444217 peter.hedges@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Multi-Disciplinary Applications Rachel Bishop 01793 444241 rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Peer Review and Output 2 Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Digital Economy John Hand 01793 444394 john.hand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Nanotechnology & Next Generation Healthcare John Wand MBE 01793 444335 john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Knowledge Transfer John Baird 01793 444047 john.baird@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Mathematical Sciences & Public Engagement David Harman 01793 444304 david.harman@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Research Capacity Jason Green 01793 444208 jason.green@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Engineering for Sustainability Philippa Hemmings 01793 444378 philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Cross Disciplinary Research Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Head of User Led Knowledge & Skills Alan Thomas 01793 442806 alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Physical Sciences Neil Viner 01793 444310 neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Infrastructure & International Jane Nicholson 01793 444065 jane.nicholson@epsrc.ac.uk
Dr. No Your say in peer review WHEN APPLYING for EPSRC funding, you will normally have some say in the selection of the reviewers who will assess your proposal. For instance, the Je-S system asks you to nominate three potential reviewers when completing a responsive mode application. Your proposal will be sent out to one of these three, although we can’t guarantee that they will respond and, as with all reviewers, their input will be anonymous. Technical suitability should be your most important criterion when deciding who should review your proposal. Sometimes though, you may have just as clear an idea of who shouldn’t be asked to evaluate your ideas. If you find yourself in this situation then you can ask us not to use a reviewer or group of reviewers, provided that you let us know the circumstances and that they are reasonable. Reviewers fulfil their role with great integrity and selflessness, and there are few situations in which you should have any concerns about their selection. Examples of circumstances in which we would consider a request not to use a reviewer include past or on-going personal conflicts of well-known ‘cultural’ clashes in research disciplines based on seemingly irreconcilable schools of thought. General requests not to use groups of reviewers for unspecified reasons are not appropriate as this could look like an attempt to rule out reviewers simply because they might disagree with you. The case for funding should be made in the proposal itself, not on the sidelines. Please remember also that EPSRC support is available to all, and so the mere fact that reviewers may also be competitors is not enough to discount their input. If you feel that it would be appropriate to ask us not to use a particular reviewer you should include a covering letter with your Je-S submission outlining the circumstances. This letter will not be seen by anyone other than EPSRC staff. In order to preserve the anonymity of peer review we will not be able to discuss the outcome of your request, but it will be considered as part of the reviewer selection process. Contact: Alex Hulkes, alex.hulkes@epsrc.ac.uk
Associate Director Mission Programmes Alison Wall 01793 444176 alison.wall@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director of Programmes Clive Hayter 01793 444440 clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Economic Impact Vince Osgood MBE 01793 444084 vince.osgood@epsrc.ac.uk Senior Manager International Edward Clarke 01793 444438 edward.clarke@epsrc.ac.uk Senior Manager Public Engagement Joanna Coleman 01793 444209 joanna.coleman@epsrc.ac.uk IDEAS Factory Contact Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk
For current grant maintenance and grant assessment enquiries
Help us to help you! Publicity for the community DO YOU have a forthcoming event, workshop, call for proposals or other opportunity which you think might interest readers of Connect? If so, we may well be able to include it in a future issue to help you advertise it to as wide an audience as possible. Similarly, if you have held a meeting or workshop which has outputs which are relevant to readers interested in research, training and knowledge transfer in engineering and the physical sciences we can help you to reach them. Simply send an email to Connect in good time to allow for the publication process and we will be happy to discuss the possibilities. Contact: Connect@epsrc.ac.uk
Engineering Chris Elson 01793 444504 chris.elson@epsrc.ac.uk Technology Sarah Cooper 01793 444422 sarah.cooper@epsrc.ac.uk Science Jo Garrad 01793 444348 jo.garrad@epsrc.ac.uk EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Telephone: 01793 444000 www.epsrc.ac.uk
Email alerts Register to receive latest funding opportunities You can now register on our website to receive a weekly alert containing details of our latest calls for proposals. To register visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk/emailalert
Editor: Christopher Buratta, christopher.buratta@epsrc.ac.uk Circulation amendments: connect@epsrc.ac.uk © Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 2008. ISSN 1476-6485 Material may be reproduced providing the source is acknowledged.
4