I’m often told that generic BU and School information would be helpful when drafting EU proposals. I am pleased to inform you that some generic and School specific information is now available on our I drive which we hope will be useful as a starting place for you I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\General Templates
Author Archives: Corrina Dickson
Get your research to the general public and academic colleagues through The Conversation
The Conversation has been a popular and effective route for academic publication in Australia and with a recent launch of The Conversation UK, Britain looks set to follow.
The Australian version was launched in March 2011 and generates 85k unique visitors per month; it has 15 commissioning editors and 5k contributors from universities and research. The UK project has the backing of 13 UK uni’s as well as the Wellcome Trust, Nuffield, HEFCE and the editorial team will be based at City University London. Content from the site will be provided on an open access basis under a creative commons license.
There is clearly a large appetite from the public for reading about research given the Australian readership statistics so this will be a great route to publicise and highlight your research. Prof Barry Richards has already had an article feature on this site which you can read here.
The perfect academic career path
Knowing what kind of grant you should go for can be a little tricky when you start your academic career. The ESRC have produced this very handy diagram which outlines at what stage you should ideally submit proposals for different types of grants and values.
If you need any help or advice on what types of grant to go for, come and speak to us in R&KEO.
Submitting a Marie Curie application? Then use our special RPRS!
Our applicants last year found the specialist Marie Curie internal peer review (RPRS) of their proposals incredibly valuable. This year we are running this service again for all Marie Curie applicants. Your proposal will be reviewed by a successful award holder here at BU and you can then incorporate their suggestions into your final draft.
The deadline for the Marie Curie RPRS is 3rd June at noon; please send your final draft directly to me and you will receive your feedback by the last week in June. This will give you plenty of time to polish your proposal and make any additions suggested.
Marie Curie 1-2-1 available with expert bid writer & Marie Curie RPRS
After our recent fantastic Marie Curie training session I know many of you have been interested in applying for a Marie Curie grant for the August 14thdeadline and there are plenty of resources to help you.
For anyone who couldn’t make the training session, the slides can be found here I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\Marie Curie\Marie Curie Training Slides
and you may also find the URKO presentation from last year helpful I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\UKRO 2012 Presentation
We hold several Marie Curie grants. You can read blog posts from some of our award holders (Rudy Gozlan and Bogdan Gabrys) and view presentations from our EU Showcase Event here I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\EU Showcase Event presentations\2012
We also have a bank of successful Marie Curie Grants which can be accessed here (on the basis that these are for your personal use and NOT shared outside of BU) I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\Successful EU proposals\Marie Curie Programme . We will be hosting a special RPRS internal peer review service for Marie Curie submissions in June (more details to come).
If you are part of the Grants Academy or EUADS you can use Martin Pickard as much as you wish to help shape your proposal. You can also contact Martin Pickard for a review of your final draft if you attended the most recent training session (please get in touch with me directly if you did and would like to access this service). If you aren’t a member of the Grants Academy or EUADS you can book a 1-2-1 with Martin on 30th May to work on your application/ review a draft/ whatever you would find helpful! We have limited spaces so book your place through Dianne as soon as possible.
To make an application
It is essential you inform the R&KEO EU Pod Paul Lynch, Sarah Katon and Emily Cieciura if you wish to make a submission. Remember there is a 4 week minimum internal deadline for all EC submissions, so get in touch as soon as you are even thinking of making a submission. We have a wealth of resources and experience to help you submit a great application.
Life after FP7… what’s next?
All has been rather quiet on the EC front for the last few months as we eagerly await the close down of FP7 and see what changes will be made for EC funding 2014- 2020. I have put together a very brief outline of the changes - EC funding 2014-2020 – which we know for definite will happen so far and what the new programmes will look like; including Horizon 2020, Erasmus, Marie Curie, etc.
More information will be given as it is confirmed by the EC over the next few months so watch this space!
Marie Curie resources at BU to help with your submission
After our recent fantastic Marie Curie training session I know many of you have been interested in applying for a Marie Curie grant for the August 14th deadline and there are plenty of resources to help you.
More info on the call
The EC Marie Curie Work Programme has all the information you need including the evaluation criteria. For any specific questions about the scheme, you can contact the Marie Curie National Contact Point who can provide as much information as you need.
Training materials
For anyone who couldn’t make the training session, the slides can be found here I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\Marie Curie\Marie Curie Training Slides
and you may also find the URKO presentation from last year helpful I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\UKRO 2012 Presentation
BU experience with Marie Curie
We hold several Marie Curie grants. You can read blog posts from some of our award holders (Rudy Gozlan and Bogdan Gabrys) and view presentations from our EU Showcase Event here I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\EU Showcase Event presentations\2012
We also have a bank of successful Marie Curie Grants which can be accessed here (on the basis that these are for your personal use and NOT shared outside of BU) I:\R&KEO\Public\RDU\European Related\Successful EU proposals\Marie Curie Programme
Review of your proposal
We will be hosting a special RPRS internal peer review service for Marie Curie submissions in June (more details to come).
If you are part of the Grants Academy or EUADS you can use Martin Pickard as much as you wish to help shape your proposal. You can also contact Martin Pickard for a review of your final draft if you attended the most recent training session (please get in touch with me directly if you did and would like to access this service).
To make an application
It is essential you inform the R&KEO EU Pod Paul Lynch, Sarah Katon and Emily Cieciura if you wish to make a submission. Remember there is a 4 week minimum internal deadline for all EC submissions, so get in touch as soon as you are even thinking of making a submission. We have a wealth of resources and experience to help you submit a great application.
Fusion in Action Conference 2013
Thank you to all who attended last week’s Fusion in Action Conference and celebrated BU’s success in Fusion initiatives.
The Fusion presentations from staff and students were inspirational and I am pleased to have had such good feedback on these. Several of the presentations are available at I:\R&KEO\Public\Fusion in Action .
The Fusion surgery sessions provided a key opportunity to ask about Fusion Investment Funding and the posters provided excellent examples of projects already funded under the scheme.
EPSRC Strategic Advisory Routes – time for you to have your say!
The EPSRC has recently commissioned an independent review of its strategic advisory routes. The review will focus on how the EPSRC obtains and utilises strategic advice at the Council and Theme levels and both the mechanisms and sources for obtaining such advice and how this influences strategic decision-making. Initial areas covered as part of the review are:
- Nature of advice – who decides what advice is sought and needed;
- Structures – to review the adequacy and effectiveness of the structures in place for obtaining strategic advice;
- Credibility of Advisory Sources - assurance over the extent to which the individuals and bodies providing advice are credible sources;
- Roles and responsibilities – to review the effectiveness, and clarity, of roles and responsibilities of those involved in commissioning, and those providing, strategic advice in EPSRC;
- Provision and utilisation of advice – to review the effectiveness of the advice provided (e.g. its robustness and the degree to which it is free from bias or vested interest), and its value (e.g. its relevance and timeliness) in informing EPSRC’s strategic planning and decision making.
- Transparency – to review the clarity and transparency of the strategic advisory processes to EPSRC’s wider stakeholder community;
- Cost-effectiveness of the mechanisms and processes used. .
BU has been invited to submit evidence to assist in this review and I am collating responses. Please take a couple of minutes to complete this short survey; all responses will remain confidential. The deadline for completing the survey is 10am Tuesday 23rd April.
Book on the Digital Economy Sandpit now!
Feedback from BU staff who have participated in academic sandpits is always positive: “Sandpits stimulate creative thinking and encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. They are an opportunity to learn from others whose approaches to research may be different from your own” – Prof. Adele Ladkin, School of Tourism, EPSRC Sandpit Participant
Sandpits provide an intensive, interactive and free-thinking environment. A group of participants from a range of disciplines and backgrounds use this space to get together to become immersed in a collaborative thinking processes in order to construct innovative approaches to issues or questions.
As sandpits involve diverse participants, they force catalysation, collision and collaboration. This produces unique and innovative outputs and fosters new partnerships.
We are facilitating with expert bid writer Dr Martin Pickard of GrantCraft, three 1-day sandpits at BU which focus around relevant Research Council UK cross-thematic areas. The next Sandpit is on Digital Economy Sandpit is being held on 17.04.13
Attending one of the sandpits will:
- facilitate you networking with other researchers across BU who you wouldn’t normally come in to contact with
- allow you to get a fresh perspective from a different discipline on the same issue
- enable you to be part of a multidisciplinary team who potentially bids for Research Council funding
- give you a truly unique experience
Spaces are limited for each of the sandpits and you can register for a place on the Staff Development website.
Open Access Fund still open!
The Open Access Fund is available for use by any BU author ready to submit a completed article for publication who wishes to make their output freely and openly accessible. Full details are available on the Open Access section of the blog.
Writing a successful proposal: live web chat and twitter feed this Friday
Universities are under increasing pressure to gain external funding and with budgets shrinking across the HE sector, this can be a difficult process.
To provide a little help, the Guardian are running a live web chat on Friday 12 April between 12-2pm for academics, whether a first-timer or old hand, to share experiences, advice and tips for writing and managing the process of a successful research grant proposal. You can also follow the live chat on Twitter using the hashtag #HElivechat
EU Networking Fund still open!
The EU Networking Fund (EUNF) is open to any BU academics who want to network across Europe with a view to finding collaborators. We have a pot of money to support this scheme, and the fund will end when the pot is empty.
You can apply for support for a range of activities relating directly to networking, such as:
• Travel with the intent of networking
• Conference attendance with the intent of networking
• Attendance at external networking events leading to collaborative research proposals
• Meetings with external organisations to establish collaborations.
You can read more on this scheme in the EUNF Policy Document and make a submission using the EUNF Application Form; there is no deadline but all funds must be spent by the end of July.
Book on the Digital Economy Sandpit now
Feedback from BU staff who have participated in academic sandpits is always positive: “Sandpits stimulate creative thinking and encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. They are an opportunity to learn from others whose approaches to research may be different from your own” – Prof. Adele Ladkin, School of Tourism, EPSRC Sandpit Participant
Sandpits provide an intensive, interactive and free-thinking environment. A group of participants from a range of disciplines and backgrounds use this space to get together to become immersed in a collaborative thinking processes in order to construct innovative approaches to issues or questions.
As sandpits involve diverse participants, they force catalysation, collision and collaboration. This produces unique and innovative outputs and fosters new partnerships.
We are facilitating with expert bid writer Dr Martin Pickard of GrantCraft, three 1-day sandpits at BU which focus around relevant Research Council UK cross-thematic areas. The next Sandpit is on Digital Economy Sandpit is being held on 17.04.13
Attending one of the sandpits will:
- facilitate you networking with other researchers across BU who you wouldn’t normally come in to contact with
- allow you to get a fresh perspective from a different discipline on the same issue
- enable you to be part of a multidisciplinary team who potentially bids for Research Council funding
- give you a truly unique experience
Spaces are limited for each of the sandpits and you can register for a place on the Staff Development website.
Change BU through 15 mins invested in CROS & PIRLS
Despite sounding like a cheesy folk musical duo, CROS and PIRLS are actually two key tools for you to tell BU your thoughts on being an academic member of staff here….
What are CROS & PIRLS?
The Careers in Research Online Survey (CROS) and the Principal Investigators and Research Leaders Survey (PIRLS) are two short questionnaires (about 15 mins) prepared by Vitae to capture the experiences of research active staff. As part of our EC HR Excellence in Research Award Badge, it is critical we know your views.
The surveys are run biennially and gather anonymous data about working conditions, career aspirations and career development opportunities for research staff and research leaders in UK Higher Education.
Why should I complete a survey?
PIRLS and CROS will have a significant impact on those conducting and leading research in the UK.
For instance feedback CROS has provided to the government has led to additional funding to institutions for research staff development, as well as significantly raising the profile of research staff both within institutions and nationally.
On a local level, we will use the feedback from these surveys to improve support we offer at BU. This is your time to have your say so make sure your voice is heard. Don’t rely on others to complete this and give your views; the more responses we have the greater the knowledge we will have about what life is like for you at BU. Once we have this, we can respond more effectively to your needs and ensure any policy developments are evidence based.
Do I have to complete both surveys?
No – PIRLS is aimed at those who are a research grant holder, personally responsible for the management of research staff and/or the formal supervision of postgraduate researchers and those principally responsible for setting the intellectual direction of research. If you match this description, please complete the PRILS questionnaire.
CROS is aimed at those who have the primary responsibility of conducting research and are employed for this purpose. If you are employed primarily to conduct research and have no formal staff management/supervision responsibilities please complete the CROS questionnaire.
How do I complete the survey?
The surveys will remain open until 25 March 2013 and the hyperlinks are here: CROS & PIRLS
New mandatory institutional timeframe for EC and RCUK submissions
As of Monday 25 March 2013 two new institutional changes will be implemented for European Commission and Research Council grants.
European Commission submissions
A new 4-week institutional timeframe will be imposed for all European Commission application submissions. This timeframe has been created to ensure academics wishing to apply have the appropriate level of support from RKEO needed for their application. This timeframe is outlined on the right.
As European Commission deadlines are announced at least 3 months in advance this should not have a significant impact on any staff wishing to apply as a Principal Investigator on a grant. For academic staff approached to be a Co-Investigator on a project less than 4 weeks before the submission deadline can make an appeal by email to their Deputy Dean of Research (or equivalent) and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, Enterprise & Internationalisation.
In order to help you gain the best possible support in terms of grant-writing, partner-searching, funding-call information and other useful help, please let the RKEO EU Pod know you intend to make an EC grant submission. Paul Lynch and Sarah Katon in the EU Pod will be happy to provide further information.
Research Council Submissions
As of Monday, it will be mandatory for all Research Council submissions to go through the Research Proposal Review Service (RPRS). This move is in response to the demand management measures imposed by Research Councils such as the EPSRC and NERC. Many institutions have similar measures to protect academic staff.
You can select whether your application will be peer-reviewed by two internal members of staff only or if you would like an external RCUK grant holder or expert bid writer to also review this. You will be advised on aspects to incorporate into the final proposal after review, which will give it the maximum chance of success.
To start this process, just notify RKEO of your intention to submit an application to one of the Research Councils. Please note that the RPRS can take up to three weeks, so you will need to factor this in to any proposal writing timescales. If you wish to make an application and do not have sufficient time to go through the RPRS, then an appeal by email must be made to your Deputy Dean of Research (or equivalent) and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, Enterprise & Internationalisation.
Book now for the Digital Economy Sandpit
Feedback from BU staff who have participated in academic sandpits is always positive: “Sandpits stimulate creative thinking and encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone. They are an opportunity to learn from others whose approaches to research may be different from your own” – Prof. Adele Ladkin, School of Tourism, EPSRC Sandpit Participant
Sandpits provide an intensive, interactive and free-thinking environment. A group of participants from a range of disciplines and backgrounds use this space to get together to become immersed in a collaborative thinking processes in order to construct innovative approaches to issues or questions.
As sandpits involve diverse participants, they force catalysation, collision and collaboration. This produces unique and innovative outputs and fosters new partnerships.
We are facilitating with expert bid writer Dr Martin Pickard of GrantCraft, three 1-day sandpits at BU which focus around relevant Research Council UK cross-thematic areas. The next Sandpit is on Digital Economy Sandpit is being held on 17.04.13
Attending one of the sandpits will:
- facilitate you networking with other researchers across BU who you wouldn’t normally come in to contact with
- allow you to get a fresh perspective from a different discipline on the same issue
- enable you to be part of a multidisciplinary team who potentially bids for Research Council funding
- give you a truly unique experience
Spaces are limited for each of the sandpits and you can register for a place on the Staff Development website.
UK-India Education & Research Initiative Funding Available
The next round of applications for the UKIERI Thematic Partnerships is now open. UKIERI Thematic Partnership funding is designed to support the collaborative costs of joint research projects, including exchanges between research teams in the two countries. The closing date for applications is 31 May 2013. This year there are two categories for funding:
1. UGC UKIERI Thematic Partnerships (with the University Grants Commission), which covers research, faculty exchange and innovation across all subject areas.
2. DST UKIERI Thematic Partnerships (with the Indian Department of Science and Technology), for the following specific areas:
a. Sustainable energy supply
b. Food production and security
c. Water supply and security
d. Health and Disease
e. Innovation including social impact and intellectual property
f. Research and Science Policy
Full guidance notes and application forms are available from the UKIERI website. UKIERI will organise pre-bid workshops in March and April 2013 to help potential applicants understand the application process for the call and the dates of these will be released on their webpage.