School of CS newsletter

Internal intention to apply: asap
Deadline for applications: 25 Aug 2017

Please let sarah.chatwin@manchester.ac.uk know asap if you intend to apply to attend one of the EPSRC Inclusion Matters - furthering equality, diversity and inclusion in Engineering and Physical Sciences research workshops in September as only two attendees per institution are allowed to attend.

https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/calls/inclusionmatters/

Internal deadline: noon 22 Aug 2017
RAEng deadline: 11 Sept 2017

The Faculty have agreed an internal review process for submissions to the Royal Academy’s Research Chairs/Senior Research Fellowships scheme. As the RAEng deadline is 11 September, the process will be light touch. You may recall the scheme requires £250k industry contribution.

Applicants are asked to provide a 2 page outline (maximum), to be submitted to Rupa.Lunan@manchester.ac.uk by noon on Tuesday 22 August detailing the following:

• Details of proposed industry support (please note it is not necessary to submit a finalised support letter from your industrial partner at this stage)
• Fit with University research and investment strategy
• Impact of research
• Plans for self-sustainability once RAEng funding has ended

The 2 page outlines will be reviewed by a Faculty level panel. Any queries regarding applications to this scheme should be referred to your School Research Support Manager (sarah.chatwin@manchester.ac.uk) in the first instance.

Deadline: noon 13 Oct 2017

The ESRC has awarded the University over £1m to deliver the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) until 31 March 2019. The IAA will be used to fund knowledge exchange activities to accelerate the impact of research in the social sciences, across the University. The aims of the IAA are to:

• increase knowledge exchange through staff exchanges/placements between the University and external user organisations;
• align external partners and academics strategically to extend collaboration and shape the research agenda, and influence policy and practice through relationship building;
• provide flexible and innovative opportunities for researchers to translate research into practice;
• provide training workshops and tools development to extend the University’s culture of engagement into new and innovative areas.

This call encourages initiatives that increase our engagement with commercial businesses since these have been under-represented in previous calls.

ESRC IAA schemes cover potential impact activities at all stages of the research process, from setting up networks to help inform or scope new research projects, to the development of activities designed to apply previous research.

Staff exchanges/placement- Flexible support for secondment-out of academics to external partner organisations or enabling secondment-in of external partners. This scheme is to increase the exchange of knowledge through mobility of people, enhance external links and provide the secondee with experience of working in a partner organisation. External partners must provide match funding in cash for secondment-out staff exchanges. Funding available – normally up to £25k.

Relationship building- Flexible support for building relationships with non-academic partners. Proposals that include a direct cash contribution from one or more commercial businesses will be particularly welcomed. Particularly innovative proposals to develop relationships that include in-kind contributions will also be considered, where the lack of a direct contribution is justified. Funding available – normally up to £20k.

Research into practice- Activity to translate research evidence for use by research users/ practitioners. The scheme is flexible and open to innovative projects and activities may include policy or evidence seminars, knowledge exchange or co-produced research etc. Funding available - normally up to £30k.

Rapid response to fund up to £3k and enable short projects to respond quickly to opportunities. This scheme operates as an open call and feedback will normally be given within two weeks of submission.

Training workshops and tools development are not part of the invited schemes and instead will form a programme of activity managed by the IAA team. However, if you have an idea, please contact esrciaa@manchester.ac.uk

ESRC IAA guidance notes

ESRC IAA application form

ESRC IAA rapid response application form

Deadline: 06 Sep 2017 15:00 BST

Do you know of any researchers (with no more than 15 years of postdoctoral experience) from the following countries that would benefit from visiting Manchester for up to 3 yrs:

• Brazil (in partnership with CONFAP)
• China (in partnership with the National Natural Science Foundation of China)
• Mexico (in partnership with the Mexican Academy of Sciences (MAS) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT))
• South Africa (in partnership with the National Research Foundation) AMS ONLY

Awards are currently only available for scientists in the countries above and criteria is different for each country. Specifics are available through: https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/grants/newton-advanced-fellowships/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5419&utm_source=adestra

The following opportunities are currently available to UK scientists with our Newton Fund partners overseas:

Opportunities in South Africa
The DST-NRF Fellowships for early career researchers from the United Kingdom provide the opportunity for post-doctoral researchers to work at a South African research institution for a period of up to six months.

Opportunities in China

The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) offers the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) to support highly-qualified international scientists and postgraduate students to work and study at CAS institutions and strengthen their scientific collaboration with CAS researchers.

Opportunities in Brazil
Brazilian State Funding Agencies, articulated by its National Council (CONFAP), will offer support through Fellowships and grants launching on 15 August 2016 to researchers based in UK Universities and Research Institutions who are looking to spend from two weeks to four years working in research in Brazil, in collaboration with local colleagues.

Opportunities in Mexico
The Mexican Academy of Sciences (MAS) and the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) invite candidates to submit applications for research exchange within the framework of the "Newton International Collaboration Programme" to undertake short-term visits in 2017 in the form of MAS Short-term Mobility Grants.

Good for working with companies in a more involved manner. Significant budget available currently.

KTPs are available across a diverse range of public and private industry sectors. Your KTP project could deliver improvements to existing products, support development of novel products and systems, as well as create frameworks to improve efficiencies in processes and upskill staff. This flexible approach enables partnerships to identify the best way to accelerate business growth and enhance competitive advantage.

Each KTP project recruits a high-calibre graduate, known as an Associate, aided by specialist academic support from The University of Manchester, to deliver a specified work plan. The KTP Associate manages and delivers the project, on-site within the partner organisation, whilst being jointly supervised by a senior member of the business and an academic expert from The University of Manchester. This three-way partnership works together to support the strategic development of the business partner.

Each project can last 1-3 years, transferring and embedding new knowledge and skills to encourage business growth and innovation. With the help of government funding and university expertise, the business is well supported to innovate and reach its full potential.

 KTP areas and respective deadlines:

• Infrastructure Systems - 13th September 2017 & 14th March 2018
• Emerging & Enabling Technologies - 8th November 2017
• Health & Life Sciences - 6th December 2017
• Manufacturing & Materials - 17th January 2018
• Open - 7th February 2018