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EC funding for anti-corruption network

The Directorate-General for Home Affairs invites proposals for the provision of technical assistance and support for establishing and coordinating a network of local research correspondents on corruption. The tenderer will coordinate the collection and processing of up-to-date, objective and reliable relevant information within the network and the analyses regarding the state of play of anti-corruption policies in EU member states. Funding is worth approximately €4 million over 48 months. For more info see their website.

Fusion Seminar 18 January – Creating!

Fusion

Welcome back from the Christmas break! Following hot on the heels of the Fusion event on 14 December, the second event in the Fusion Seminar and Conference Series is on Wednesday 18 January and will focus on the Creating aspect of the BU2018 strategy.

The January Seminar will take place between 12:00-1:30pm. Registration will open at 11:45 and the sessions will begin at 12:00. There will be one hour of short and focused presentations followed by 30 minutes of networking opportunities over lunch. The Seminar will be hosted by a member of UET who will open the seminar with a 10 minute presentation. This will be followed by five brief and succinct presentations by invited speakers, with each presentation lasting no more than ten minutes including questions.

The programme is available here: Fusion seminar programme – Creating!

The Seminar will be held in the EBC (7th floor) and will start promptly at 12pm. Please arrive for registration from 11:45am, ready for the 12pm start.

You can use the form below to register your place.

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your School / Professional Service (required)

    ApSciBSDECHSCMSSTProfessional Service

    Highlights from the recent Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Conference

    Funding opportunities

    KTPFollowing the Comprehensive Spending Review of 2010, the Technology Strategy Board was hit hard, as were many government departments and their initiatives. The December 2011 KTP Conference, however, shows that the climate for KTPs is improving and that BU is in a position to benefit from this optimism.

    Highlights from the conference were:

    • Iain Gray (TSB Chief Executive) emphasised KTPs are central to the schemes offered by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) delivered via the Technology Strategy Board.
    • Although KTPs should still demonstrate the previously advised elements of Innovation, Impact and Challenge, there is a shift towards Quality in proposals. The outcome for BU is that KTPs looking at market development and business strategies may be acceptable to the TSB, if a high level of quality can be clearly demonstrated in the proposal.
    • A good relationship with local our KTP adviser is vital in ensuring successful KTP outcomes. The adviser should be contacted early on in the development of the proposal to ensure that each project meets with current TSB (and other funders’) criteria.
    • The TSB is developing relationships with other potential KTP funders including public bodies such as research councils. Other funding schemes are available within the TSB and should be considered if the KTP model is not appropriate.
    • Academic staff are encouraged to make contact with the Knowledge Transfer Network for their area of expertise via the _connect website.
    • The TSB is consulting with HEIs in the light of the Wilson Review . This is supported by other TSB reports such as Concept to Commercialisation.
    • There is a general need across the KTP sector to attract,  recruit and retain high quality UK / EU graduates

    For more information on KTPs, please go to the KTP website  or at BU contact David Kilburn (dkilburn@bournemouth.ac.uk)

    Health,Wellbeing and Ageing

    Thank you to all those who supported the Health, Wellbeing and Ageing research theme at last week’s fusion day. There was some excellent discussion and guidance on how the theme should develop and please can we encourage a continued dialogue.
    We have managed to secure some admin support and therefore soon we will be asking you for key words that you think best define your research area. We can then develop a tagged word cloud which will facilitate our understanding of who we are and enable emergence of potential themes of direction. These will be ‘tested’ with the community on April 18th when we will have another face to face fusion day.
    Hope that you all have a lovely Christmas and see you in the New Year

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

    The EU blog will be very quiet over the festive period as I will be taking a couple of weeks off to indulge in a lot of food and an occasional Glühwein. I hope you have a great Christmas break and I will be back with all the latest EU related news on January 3rd 🙂

    Tags:

    UK does brilliantly in FP7, so why not be part of it…?

    The UK success rate for proposals submitted to FP7 is around 24%, compared to an average across the EU Member states of 21%. The UK is the second most successful participant both in terms of the budget share (behind Germany), so we are continually fighting our corner for funding.

    The top collaborative links within FP7 for the UK are with researchers from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, you can see the country success rates and statistics  on the country profile section of the Commission’s new website on which also contains examples of FP7 projects that each country is involved in.

    Green Economy and sustainability workshop yesterday

    GREEN ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABILITY – post presentation notes

    FUSION – smarter way of working, many have already been working in this way. Research informs education; education (students) may be subjects of research and co-producers; both may inspire PP. PP can influence research, be subject of research and feeds back into education.

    THEME – offers excitement and sharing which could enhance all aspects of the fusion triangle through collaboration across disciplines

    POINTS FROM GROUP DISCUSSION/FLIP CHARTS

    ACT NOW to seize window of opportunity. The language for Rio+20 in 2012 reinforces the terms ‘Green economy’. Negotiations leading to Rio are underway with the argument being that the way to sustainable development is to put green growth at the heart of economic development strategies while at the same time reducing pollution and green house gasses, maintaining biodiversity and reducing inefficient use of natural resources. The time to get material out and seek to influence is now.

    INTER-DISCIPLINARY research/perspectives are required to address SD and develop solutions. There are gaps in the literature in a number of areas. Perhaps a future session might articulate the current gaps?

    THINK PIECES might be developed to get out externally but as a starting point this might be used internally to enable the group to learn about the diversity of perspectives within the group. Need a way to share these that is internal ‘Google docs’ might be useful. Need something to support collaborative working either asynchronous but preferably synchronous.

    FUTURE EVENTS and collaborations

    • Forums – opportunities for collaboration and sharing
    • Importance of tangible outputs
    • Paper writing sessions – focused collaborative working where paper is drafted by end
    • Book – collection of chapters but with caveat about impact
    • Edited volume of papers

    STICK IT COMMENTS ideas and areas of interest:

    • Use the database of GKE interest people, augment it with thought pieces and make it available
    • BU – cross school collaboration with community lead projects = impact at grass roots level e.g. DECC bid with energy saving; TT Dorchester.
    • Short policy papers supported by a new cornerstone text (e.g. Blueprint for a Green Economy or Our Common Future
    • Green health issues – how can this link?
    • Sustainable Tourism/ Eco tourism
    • Recognition of value of nature capital in leisure
    • Renewable energy
    • Green consumer profile
    • Green Lifestyle
    • Green supply chain
    • Resilience of Green Economy
    • Human Behaviour and cooperation (in terms of climate change scenarios
    • Motivational behaviour
    • Impacts of ‘Greentec’ (Social Environmental Economic)
    • Social justice
    • Leadership for SD
    • Systemic thinking/futures thinking – envisioning alternative lifestyles
    • Contradictions and challenges within greener economy and economic growth

    Launch of the PhD Studentship Competition 2012!

    PG research

    The deadline for this competition is 29 February 2012 and we look forward to recieving your applications!

     We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2012 BU PhD Studentship competition for candidates starting in October 2012 in which there will be 44 studentships available across three parallel strands: (1) Matched Funding; (2) Fully Funded; and (3) Education & Pedagogic Research.  An overview of the three strands is provided below.

    The studentships will be awarded to supervisory teams on the basis of a competitive process across the whole of BU led by Professor Matthew Bennett (PVC Research, Enterprise & Internationalization) and managed the Graduate School.  Applications will be assessed and awards made by a cross University Panel consisting of the academic members of UET and two members of the BU Professoriate. In selecting proposals for funding emphasis will be placed on the excellence of the research and quality of proposal in the first instance.  Strategic fit with REF and Societal Impact will also be assessed.

    Only the best projects in each strand will be funded and proceed to advert. Full details and criteria are set out in the BU Studentships Policy.  Staff are asked to check the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. 

    Applications (on the appropriate application form downloaded from the BU Research Blog) should be submitted to Dr Fiona Knight (Graduate School Academic Manager) no later than 29 February 2012, who will circulate to the judging panel for consideration.  The panel will individually score each proposal and meet formally to select the successful projects.

    Good luck!

    Strand 1 – Matched Funded Studentships

    • A total of 32 matched funded studentships are available.
    • Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
      • Industry/business partners,
      • Government and non-government organizations,
      • Academic Schools,
      • NHS,
      • Research Councils, or
      • Other external bodies.
    • In seeking match-funding and developing the associated projects applicants are encouraged to avoid a local or regional focus.
    • Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
    • All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
    • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Deputy Dean Research or equivalent within their School.
    • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

    Strand 2 – Fully-Funded Studentships

    • A total of 6 fully funded studentships are available.
    • These are exceptional awards for elite, highly original, timely and non-applied or “blue-sky” research projects where there is no potential for match funding.  Priority will be given to those areas where there is a clear strategic driver for a particular REF Unit of Assessment, Group or Centre and/or the applicant can demonstrate an immense societal impact.
    • All proposals should match clearly to one of the eight BU Research Challenges.
    • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential applications to this funding strand with Professor Matthew Bennett.
    • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strands 1 & 2)

    Strand 3 – Education and pedagogic research studentship

    • A total of 6 studentships with an educational or pedagogic focus are available.
    • Matched-funding (50% equivalent to £21k over three years) may come from:
      • Industry/business partners,
      • Government and non-government organizations,
      • Academic Schools,
      • NHS,
      • Research Councils, or
      • Other external bodies.
    • Proposals must be able to demonstrate clearly how the research will benefit fusion within BU and have a wider impact on society or the HE sector.
    • Priority may be given to applications that involve supervisors from two or more Schools and/or those from early career researchers.
    • Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential application with Professor Tim McIntyre-Bhatty.
    • Please submit proposal on Application Form (Strand 3)

    To help applicants with their proposals John Wakeford, an external academic who now runs grant writing workshops, will be coming to the university on 31st January and 1st February to run 1 day sessions.  If you would like a place on either day please contact Susan Dowdle.

    Call for Members – NERC Peer Review College

    NERC invites nominations for membership and affiliate membership of the NERC Peer Review College by 27 January 2012. Those selected will make an important contribution to determining the research that NERC funds and have a pivotal role in maintaining its quality. The Council is looking for College members with a high level of expertise and experience, who are prepared to devote sufficient time and take responsibility for contributing to these key decisions.  They are asking you who you think should be representing the environmental sciences community and peer reviewing applications to the NERC by nominating yourself or a colleague for membership.  Further information and guidance on how to apply can be found on the NERC website at http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/assessment/peerreview/members-call.asp or by contacting the College team (college@nerc.ac.uk).

    The BU EU Showcase Event – free information, cake and advice!

    Are you curious to uncover the secret of our academics success with EU funding? Do you like cake? Well the EU Showcase Event is a must-attend morning for you!

    In a very bright, lively and informal event on January 13th, several of our most EU-active researchers will be sharing information on their brilliant projects and their experiences on how they embarked on the EU funding world.

    Presenters will be from a range of Schools and the day will begin by an introduction from PVC Research, Enterprise & Internationalisation Prof. Matthew Bennett. I will also be giving you more info on our fantastic EU Networking fund and EU Academic Development Schemes which will help you in your EU funding endeavours.

    The event is a half day (9-12) in Kimmeridge house and tea, coffee and cake will be provided.  This is a great opportunity to see the excellent EU work some of our researchers are doing, but also to find out more about how you too can get involved.

    In order to ensure we order plenty of cake and refreshments, we are asking you to register here (which takes 10 seconds).

    The Leverhulme Trust are coming to BU…hold the date

    Funding opportunities

    The Leverhulme Trust

    On 1st February 2012 Jean Cater from the Leverhulme Trust is coming to BU. 

    This is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about how the Leverhulme works,  what they are looking for in a proposal and what they fund.    

    The Leverhulme Trust offers a range of funding opportunities – across all disciplines.   This includes research grants, international networks, early career fellowships, research fellowships and more. 

    The session will cover:  

    • where the Leverhulme sits in the funding spectrum
    • schemes and application procedures
    • things to bear in mind if applying
    • plenty of time to ask questions too.  

    This session is for you if:

    • you have a research idea and wonder if the Leverhulme Trust might be an appropriate funder
    • you are developing a funding proposal for the Leverhulme Trust
    • you don’t know much about the Leverhulme Trust and would like to find out more

    Details:

    • Date: Wednesday, 1st February 2012
    • Time: 2-4pm
    • Place:  Thomas Hardy Suite – PG 146

    Information about how to book will come in January 2012.   There is limited space so please watch this space for more information.

    In the meantime, if you have any questions please email Caroline O’Kane

    PGR Workshops: January 2012

    PG research

    Sessions for the BU Researcher Development Programme in  January 2012 are below.  Booking is essential as places are limited, details of how to book are listed under each session.

    PGR Induction Dr Fiona Knight

    Introduction to BU’s academic and professional support for your research degree

    Can social media enhance my research profile? Susan Dowdle

    Using Twitter, blogs, social citation to raise your research profile.  Discussion on how to use Web 2.0 technologies professionally and some top tips on making connections and raising your profile.

    Introduction to Education Practice: for Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) Linda Byles

    This 3 day event is designed to prepare Post-Graduate Research students to undertake their teaching responsibilities

    Grant Writing Workshop for Early Career Researchers Martin Pickard (external)

    This workshop is aimed at early career researchers and phd students in the mid to late stages of their phd, starting to think about grant writing.  More details on the event can be found in this blog post.

    • Date: 26 January
    • Time: 9:30 – 17:00
    • Room: K103, Kimmeridge House
    • Booking:  All bookings for this event are via Susan Dowdle

    Introduction to Mixed Methods Research Dr Carol Bond

    These sessions are primarily aimed at new PGRs however all PGRs and ECRs are welcome.

    useful European energy policy and research funding landscape meeting notes available

    Our contact in Brussels, UKRO has updated its briefing note on the European energy policy and research funding landscape. The briefing will be useful to any of you researching in the area of energy as it gives key insights into future policy, funding opportunities and provides detail on ways of engaging with key European players.

    briefing covers the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) and related initiatives which include the European Industry Initiatives (EIIs), the Joint research Programmes (JPs) of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) and the European Universities Association European Platform of Universities Engaged in Energy Research (EPUE). It also includes updated Questions and Answers, including how they relate to FP7 and Horizon 2020, and links to further sources of information and newsletters.

    You can read the notes from the meeting on the UKRO webpages.

    Interested in applying for FP7 ICT? this is a must-attend event!

    The European Commission will hold an information day on FP7 Information Communication Technologies (ICT) Call 9, specifically focusing on the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) strand. This will take place on 18 January 2012 in Brussels. This is a critical opportunity to not only get top tips on your application, but is a key networking opportunity

    The programme will include detailed sessions on the FET Call 9 objectives, providing up-to-date and first-hand information on the four FET initiatives in FP7 ICT Call 9. Sessions will also cover the contractual, legal and administrative aspects of the application process.

    The following FET themes will be addressed:

    • FP7-ICT-2011.9.9: Quantum ICT (QICT) including ERA-NET-Plus
    • FP7-ICT-2011.9.10: Fundamentals of Collective Adaptive Systems (FOCAS)
    • FP7-ICT-2011.9.11: Neuro-Bio-Inspired Systems (NBIS)
    • Co-ordinating Communities, Identifying New Research topics for FET Proactive initiatives and fostering Networking of National and Regional Research Programmes.

    The event will also include a brokerage session where participants will be invited to share their research ideas. It is being held in Brussels on January 18th

    Participants must register in advance for this free event. Due to limited space and high demand it is strongly recommended that you register as soon as possible.

    ESRC Knowledge Exchange Opportunities Scheme

    Funding opportunities

    The new Knowledge Exchange Opportunities Scheme opens today until the 07th February 2012.

    This scheme provides researchers with a great opportunity to engage with organisations in the private, public and civil society sector(s) on a social science issue.

    The KE Opportunities Scheme now covers activities at all stages of the research process; from setting up networks to help inform the first stages of research; to the development of activities designed to apply previous research to policy and practice issues (previously covered by the ESRC Follow on Fund Scheme).

    Please note this is a collaborative scheme and, as such, all applications must include at least 25% co-funding from partner(s) in the user community (depending on the sector involved). For further details, including how to apply, please visit the website:

    http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/collaboration/knowledge-exchange/opportunities/index.aspx

    There have been a number of changes to this call from previous ESRC Knowledge Exchange calls.  For this reason, please ensure you have read the guidance notes carefully before submitting your proposal.

    Please contact RKE Ops as soon as possible if you are considering applying to the scheme – they can help you with costings, school approval and using the JeS system to prepare your application.

    We also have RPRS – the internal peer review scheme which you can use to obtain comments from our academic staff on your draft application.

    Santander Research and Travel Grants Fund – Deadline Extended to 13th January

    Funding opportunities

    In the second round of funding we have 4 x £5000 scholarships from Santander for BU staff or research students to travel to at least one university from the Santander overseas network to undertake a specific piece of work and build or develop links with international researchers.  This call is open to applications until 13th January.

    Awards will be announced by the end of January 2012, and funds must be spent before the end of July 2012.  Preference will be given to applications received from postgraduate research students and early career researchers.

    Funds can only be used to cover direct costs (i.e. not salary costs or overheads).

    To apply complete the Santander form 2011-12 Round 2 and submit it by email to Susan Dowdle: sdowdle@bournemouth.ac.uk

    Successful applicants will be expected to participate in general PR activities about their research.  This may involve attending events and promoting the benefits of the funding.

    The closing date for applications is Friday 13 January 2012.

    Unsuccessful submissions from the last round of the Santander Scholarship funding cannot be resubmitted to this round. Previous unsuccessful applicants can submit new projects/ideas to this round.