Knowledge Exchange Internal Seed fund – Call

people_banner_blue2The Knowledge Exchange Seed Fund is now open for applications. This is an internal grant scheme for KE (knowledge exchange) projects and is designed to support and develop a broad range of knowledge-based interactions between universities and the wider world, which result in economic and social benefit to the UK.

Cohesive aims and activities, realistically planned and budgeted, are favoured with Value for Money a priority. Grants are typically expected to be up to £2,500, and cover direct costs only.

Potential KE activities are many and varied. Ideas include, but are by no means limited to:
— Innovative marketing and communication of research impacts
— Meetings to develop co-ordinated bids for external funding, for projects involving external partners
— Engagements with knowledge generation and R&D through crowdsourcing
— Market assessment as part of a commercial opportunity
— Workshops/seminars and networking events with industry, the 3rd sector and/or public policy makers exploring key issues arising during or from research

The deadline for this call is the 14th September 2015

To find out more – Click Here
To apply – Click Here

The Royal Society URF – Call

RoyalSocietyThe Royal Society URF Call has now opened! The scheme provides the opportunity for exceptional researchers/early career academics to build an independent research career, and those appointed are expected to be strong candidates for permanent posts in universities at the end of their fellowships. These awards are extremely prestigious and offer 5 years of independent funding, with an option to apply for a further 3 year extension.

The applicant must:

  • have a PhD (the Royal Society will not consider applicants who have just submitted their PhD)
  • be in the early stages of their research career (between 3 to 8 years of research experience since their PhD) by the closing date of the round
  • not hold a permanent post in a university or not-for-profit organization in the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • be a citizen of the EEA or a be a Swiss citizen (or have a relevant connection to the EEA or Switzerland e.g. hold a PhD from the EEA or Switzerland, or has worked in the EEA or Switzerland for at least two years)

This scheme is highly competitive, however help will be on hand during the summer to offer support to those who wish to apply. If you are interested in applying please email us to arrange an initial 1:1 meeting within 2 weeks (up until the 31st July). This initial meeting is important as it will clarify your eligibility and suitability for the scheme, and will allow us to set milestones to ensure you meet the deadlines. Anybody who informs us of their intent to apply after the 31st July may still be considered but we can’t guarantee the same level of support.

The official deadline for this call is 3rd September 2015 (the tentative Research Services Deadline is 27th August 2015, but this is not yet confirmed).

To book an appointment – Click Here
To find out more – Click Here
To view last year’s scheme notes (2016 pending release) – Click Here

ERC Starting Grant Workshop – Reminder

erc_logo_longThis is just a reminder that the ERC Starting Grant workshop, organised by the European Team at Research Services, will be running over the next consecutive Wednesdays. This will be in preparation for the November 2015 deadline.

To be eligible for an ERC Starting Grant you must have 2-7 years post-PhD experience and a promising track record, with these aiming to support up-and-coming research leaders who are about to establish a proper research team and to start conducting independent research in Europe.

This workshop offers a thorough and detailed insight in ERC grants from experienced members of the European team, and will be invaluable for your Starting Grant application. Details below:

Date 1: Wednesday 8th July 2015 – 9:30am-12pm – Old Road Campus, Headington >>Book
Date 2: Wednesday 15th July 2015 – 9:30am-12pm – Sherrington Lecture Theatre, Physiology >>Book

EPSRC Healthcare Technologies NetworkPlus

epsrclogowebFollowing a previous post highlighting the new Healthcare Technologies long term strategy from EPSRC, they have today announced the call for their NetworkPlus proposals. This NetworkPlus programme seeks to establish new research communities around one of the Healthcare Technologies grand challenges.

The detailed aims of the awards are to:
— Bring together experts across relevant research areas
— Identify new research strategies and opportunities for addressing the challenge
— Engage with end users including businesses, clincians and focus groups
— Address obstacles related to the challenge
— Initiate preliminary or feasibility research

Networks are intended to be UK-wide and should have several disciplines and institutions involved. It is essential that User Engagement is considered in the wider network membership, and each proposal must explain and demonstrate how it will target the chosen challenge area.

Around 8 proposals will be funded at a cost of around £625,000 each (£5 mil/8 proposals) and can be 36-48 months in duration. A compulsory “Intention to Submit” will need to be submitted by the 8th September 2015, with the official deadline for this call being the 6th October 2015 at 4pm.

To find out more – Click Here