November 2009 Issue 75
Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
www.epsrc.ac.uk
Leading research for the future EPSRC
will set out its ambition for the future and how it will deliver UK science and engineering that leads the world. Set to be published in spring 2010, EPSRC’s new Strategic Plan will outline the organisation’s high level vision and goals for the next three to five years. EPSRC’s chief executive David Delpy said the plan would provide a clear strategy for EPSRC, in partnership with the academic community, to ensure science and engineering builds a sustainable, healthy and prosperous future for the UK. “Our Strategic Plan is being drawn up during a very challenging time,” he said, “both in terms of global issues such as climate change and in terms of the current economic situation. “It has never been more important for the engineering and physical sciences community to work together to show how important we are for the UK’s future, and why continued investment in our area is so crucial.” The plan draws on input and consultation from the academic community and EPSRC’s Council and advisory panels. It will also be informed by Government strategy and the wider global landscape, including research directions in other countries and the current economic climate. Adrian Paul, EPSRC’s head of strategy and planning, said the plan was now in an engagement stage, building on wider consultation earlier this year, and would be finalised for publication in the spring. He added: “Our Strategic Plan has been developed over a number of months and has included broad consultation, including the online consultation exercise carried out last March. “The plan has been informed by those views and ideas and we are currently taking it through a more focused engagement phase, talking to key groups, to ensure its key themes resonate with the wider community.” The Strategic Plan is a high level statement of EPSRC’s long term vision and goals and will set out the broad approaches to achieving them.
“It has never been more important for the engineering and physical sciences community to work together to show how important we are for the UK’s future.” Mr Paul said: “The new plan will clearly define our position in the context of UK and global research and training and will set out and respond to key factors that will include the economic climate and international activity. It is also important to provide continuity with our previous Strategic Plan, build upon our previous achievements, and provide leadership to the research community.” The Strategic Plan will not detail specific activities, targets, milestones and resources – it will provide the framework within which these will be formed. EPSRC’s delivery plan – set to be published in 2010/11 – will be guided by the Strategic Plan and will detail specific activities, targets and milestones, along with resources allocated to each activity. Contact: Adrian Paul, adrian.paul@epsrc.ac.uk
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Inside pressure on 2 Tackling Peer Review
panel process 3 New explained
3 Calls Forthcoming EPSRC funding opportunities
4 Nanoscience theme day update