Monthly Archives: February 2013

Developing Novel Concepts in Autonomous Service Robotics

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The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £1m in feasibility studies to accelerate the development of novel robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) concepts towards technology demonstration and commercialisation in multiple sectors.  We also aim to stimulate the creation of new partnerships between different communities of RAS innovators who have focused on different sectors to date but could collaborate to generate new solutions to known problems.

The UK has world-leading strengths in the underlying science and engineering contributing to these systems and access to the markets that could exploit them.

All projects must be collaborative and led by a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Projects will last up to 12 months and we expect total project sizes to be up to £133k, although projects outside this range will be considered.

Read the competition brief.

The deadline for registration is at noon on 20 March 2013.

The deadline for completed applications is at noon on 27 March 2013.

If you wish to apply please inform me no later than 13 March 2013

Collaborating with Industry Workshops

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The Business Development Team in MPLS invite academics to attend the second series of their Collaborating with Industry workshops.

The primary aim of these workshops is to help academics grow and diversify their research funding through collaborating with industry. Working with industry is one of many opportunities in an increasingly diverse landscape of funding sources, but it can have particular benefits, for example, collaborations with industry offer excellent opportunities to achieve REF impact.

The series of workshops will explore how working with industry differs from traditional grant funded projects. It will also seek to demystify industry, provide an awareness of the support available at the University, and intends to leave attendees feeling well-equipped to both win and deliver collaborations with companies.

Rather conveniently for us, these workshops are being held in the Conference Room on the OeRC. Food and drink will be provided at all sessions, from 12 noon.

If you would like to attend all or any of the workshops, please email liam.curren@mpls.ox.ac.uk. Places are limited, so please reply by Monday 11 February 2013.

For full information on the sessions contents please click here: Invite Letter Feb 2013

Horizon 2020 Expert Advisory Groups

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The European Commission has issued a call for Expressions of Interest to become part of Horizon 2020 Expert Advisory Groups:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=h2020-experts#profiles

This is a really important, formative time as Horizon 2020 is developed. There are only 333 days until this new framework is launched!

Experts in groups of 20-30 will advise the Commission on the development of the relevant work programmes for each of a number of headings (FET, MCA, each of the societal challenges and areas of leadership in industrial and emerging technologies). While this is advice, rather than drafting the grant calls, the appropriateness of the work programme can make a significant difference to how attractive participation in them will be is to UK researchers. The UK was not represented on a number of Advisory Groups in FP7. UK Government officials are keen encourage UK stakeholders to participate.

Participation would involve a commitment to two meetings a year (which will require preparatory reading) for two years (extendable to four). Experts can express their interest as individuals (in a personal capacity or representing a general interest) or as representatives of a stakeholder organisation, such as a university.

Expertise is called for within areas listed below. Please note that the ICT area was subject to a separate call but ICT experts can still apply here.

  • Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions on skills, training and career development
  • Research infrastructures (including e-Infrastructures)
  • Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies within the following areas:
    • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)*1
    • Nanotechnologies
    • Advanced materials
    • Biotechnology
    • Advanced manufacturing and processing
    • Space
  • Access to risk finance (debt or equity financing)
  • Innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Health, demographic change and wellbeing
  • Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bio-economy
  • Secure, clean and efficient energy (including nuclear energy)
  • Smart, green and integrated transport
  • Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials
  • Inclusive, innovative and secure societies