Congratulations  to Michael Fisher,  who has been appointed to EPSRC's Strategic Advisory Network (SAN). The SAN provides the EPSRC Executive with strategic advice to assist in developing, implementing and modifying plans, and to make appropriate recommendations to EPSRC’s Council. you can see the announcement at 
https://www.ukri.org/news/epsrc-appoints-sixteen-strategic-advisory-network-members/
and on EPsRC's Twitter thing at
https://twitter.com/EPSRC/status/1366356084051558402

Robert.
 

Along with the majority of taught programmes in the FSE, Computer Science will be continuing to teach on-line. The next review point is after the Easter break at the start of April.

Robert.

Event: Thursday 18th March, 2021 (10:00 - 12:45)

• 10.00am - 11.15am: Public facing talks
• 11.30am - 12.45pm: Internal workshop for UoM staff

Featuring Computer Science's very own Dr Riza Batista-Navarro. For full information on the event, speakers and registration see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-has-the-post-pandemic-world-reshaped-our-digital-lives-registration-139926117785

Overview:

The Covid pandemic has prompted many changes in the way citizens interact with each other, and the extent to which these interactions are regulated and managed by the government and public authorities. At the core of these changes is an exponential increase in reliance on digital technology. Much of daily life has transferred into the online realm, and new regulatory regimes, as well as core social, health and economic services, are heavily dependent on smart apps, video conference tools and track and trace technology.

The question of how far these new norms and practices are temporary measures to be dialled back once a vaccine is rolled out, or whether they are here to stay and will profoundly reconfigure the pace and ‘space’ of post-Covid life is one of increasing importance for academics and wider society to address.

This event will bring together expertise from across the Digital Futures network to debate this question across a range of different arenas.

For UKRI grants disrupted by COVID

The first funding allocation for UKRI Covid Disruption funding (COA) concluded in December 2020. Over £4m was allocated to UKRI grants disrupted by COVID and a second round of disruption funding for UKRI grants is now open.  

For this second funding round the priority are grants which end before the 30-Sep-2021. However, grants ending after this are also eligible to apply.

The majority of the allocation will remain focussed on supporting directly incurred (DI) staff costs at 100% in order to prioritise the retention of research staff capacity and capability. Funding allocations are anticipated to cover between 3 and 6 months staff salary costs where this will support delivery of project objectives and mitigate significant disruption caused by the pandemic. Non-pay costs will not normally be eligible for support but will be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Funding will be allocated by research council to maintain the disciplinary balance required by UKRI and all expenditure must be incurred before the 30th September 2021. Only UKRI funded grants (including Innovate UK) are eligible for this support.

You can apply online using the link below. You must complete a separate application for each grant you wish to be considered for funding and the closing date for applications is 5pm 07-Apr-2021.

https://www.qualtrics.manchester.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_1SampfwOHEfL8Ud

Further information on the application process can be found on the COVID FAQS for Research Funding and information from UKRI can be found in the UKRI Terms and Conditions and a set of UKRI FAQs.

If you have any questions about the funding call please contact RBEServices@manchester.ac.uk

The European Commission has published a useful document with Q&A on UK participation in Horizon Europe.

The document addresses some of the most frequently asked questions related to the status of UK entities in the programme, including their eligibility for the first Horizon Europe calls for proposals that are launched before the adoption of the Horizon Europe Regulation.  It also confirms that the UK will be fully associated to the programme (with the exception of the EIC Fund, which is part of the EIC Accelerator scheme) and that UK participants will have the same rights as their EU counterparts with regards to obtaining EU grants or participating in and leading consortia.

Please share this document with your European counterparts, underlining that it provides clear and authoritative information confirming the UK’s eligibility for first calls of the Horizon Europe programme.

Answers to the following questions are included in the document:

·         How will the UK be associated to Horizon Europe?

·         Can UK entities take part in the first calls for proposals of Horizon Europe?

·         What parts of Horizon Europe will the UK be associated to?

·         What are the rights of UK participants?

·         What does the UK have to pay to participate in Horizon Europe?

·         Will other countries associate to Horizon Europe?

UKRO have produced a useful factsheet: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/Documents/UK_EU_factsheet.pdf