THE RESEARCH COUNCILS

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THE RESEARCH COUNCILS
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Office of Science and Technology (OST) OST
part of the Department for Innovation,
Universities and Skills (DIUS) and under the
Chief Scientific Advisor (currently Professor Sir
David King) provides the central focus for
consideration of science and technology issues
across Government. It has the responsibility for
the Science Budget and the work of the eight
Research Councils.
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CSR Comprehensive Spending Reviews
Science Budget 2005-06 to 2007-08 The Government
is substantially increasing spending on science.
Between 1997 and 2007 the science budget will
have more than doubled, rising to 3.4 billion in
2007-08. This has enabled the Research Councils
to substantially raise their support for research
and make a major start repairing the scientific
infrastructure. Science Budget 2008
2011 Average of 5.4 per year increase in
budget (2.5 in real terms).

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CSRO7
000 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 CSR
07Total End CSR07Increase Research
Councils Arts Humanities Research Council
96,792 103,492 104,397 108,827 316,716 12.4 Biot
echnology Biosciences Research 386,854 427,000 4
52,563 471,057 1,350,620 21.8 Economics
Social Research Council 149,881 164,924 170,614 17
7,574 513,112 18.5 Engineering Physical
Sciences Res. 711,112 795,057 814,528 843,
465 2,453,050 18.6 Medical Research Council
543,399 605,538 658,472 707,02
5 1,971,035 30.1 Natural Environment Research
Council 372,398 392,150 408,162 436,000 1,236,312
17.1 Science Technology Facilities
Council 573,464 623,641 630,337 651,636 1,905,614
13.6 Sub Total Research Councils 2,833,900 3,111
,802 3,239,073 3,395,584 9,746,459 19.8 Less
Depreciation Impairments -85,748 -124,748 -141,7
48 -153,748 -420,244 79.3 Total Research
Councils - Note 1 2,748,152 2,987,054 3,097,325 3,
241,836 9,326,215 18.0 National
Academies Royal Society 41,072 43,360 45,823 48
,558 137,741 18.2 Royal Academy of
Engineering 9,752 10,279 12,138 12,826 35,243 31.5
British Academy 21,385 22,540 25,062 26,448 74
,050 23.7 Total Academies 72,209 76,179 83,023
87,832 247,034 21.6 Capital Funding Large
Facilities Capital Funding 104,681 104,681 138,428
265,285 508,394 153.4 University
Capital 300,000 266,711 258,149 214,851 739,711 -
28.4 Knowledge Transfer Higher Education
Innovation Fund 85,000 85,000 99,000 113,000 297,0
00 32.9 Public Sector Research
Establishments 14,000 12,500 12,500 12,500 37,500
-10.7 Science Society Science
Society 11,441 13,441 15,441 17,441 46,323 52.4
Other Programmes 46,940 8,857 11,557 17,678 38,0
92 -62.3 Total Science Budget 3,382,423 3,554,4
23 3,715,423 3,970,423 11,240,269 17.4
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http//www.rcuk.ac.uk/
Launched on 1 May 2002 RCUK is a strategic
partnership of all seven research councils
established to enhance the collective leadership
and influence of the Research Councils and to
secure greater strategic coordination in the
funding of science The Research Councils are the
main public investors in fundamental research in
the UK with interests ranging from bio-medicine
and particle physics to the environment,
engineering and economic research. RCUK works
alongside the Office of Science Technology
(OST) to support the UKs finest academic
researchers and to ensure the best investment of
public money in research. The partnership is led
by the RCUK Executive Group which comprises the
eight Chief Executives of the Research Councils.
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• The Research Councils
• There are seven Research Councils, established
  under Royal Charter. DIUS has statutory control
  of the Councils, supported by the Director
  General of Research Councils, Sir Keith ONions,
  in the Office of Science and Technology (OST).
  Council members are appointed by the Secretary of
  State for Trade and Industry, who is answerable
  to Parliament for the Councils activities.
• The UK Research Councils are
• Biotechnology Biological Science research
  Council (BBSRC)
• Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council
  (EPSRC)
• Economic Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
  (since 2005)
• STFC (since 2006)
• Further information about the Research Councils
  and their activities can be found at
  www.rcuk.ac.uk

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Merger April 2007
Engineering Physical Sciences
Astronomy Nuclear Particle Physics
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The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPSRC) www.epsrc.ac.uk The EPSRC is the
main UK government agency for funding research
and training in engineering and the physical
sciences to help the nation handle the next
generation of technological change. from
mathematics to materials science, and from
information technology to structural engineering.
It works in partnership with
universities to invest in people, scientific
discovery and innovation to meet the needs of
industry and society. Its work is
complementary to other research investors
including other research councils, government
agencies, industry and the European Union. It
actively engages in and encourages partnerships
and collaborations across disciplines, boundaries
and the world and actively promotes public
engagement in science, engineering and technology.
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The Website Funding for Researchers We fund
research in a number of different ways. This
section of the website will tell you about the
various funding opportunities, as well as
providing the Funding Guide, application forms
and guidance on how to apply to EPSRC. One of our
ways of funding research is through Calls for
Proposals. These are requests for research
proposals in specific areas. We manage our
portfolio of research through Programmes, each
covering a broad area. In each programme area you
will find information on how we operate, strategy
for development of the programme, targets for the
year ahead, and reviews and consultations. We
provide access to a number of Facilities and
Services, such as high performance computing.
Details of the services and how to apply to use
them can be found in this section. Research
proposals are assessed using peer review, with
those involved collectively called the peer
review college. More information is available on
who makes up the peer review college, along with
forms and guidance for those undertaking the
roles of referee or panel member. Information
for Grant Holders includes best practice in
conducting research, advice on managing EPSRC
research grants, and forms and guidance for
completing Final Reports.
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Programmes We fund a dynamic and evolving
research portfolio, extending from fundamental
research in mathematics, chemistry, computer
science and physics to more applied topics in
engineering and technology. Each programme has
its own objectives and strategies. These are
formulated by Programme Managers after
consultation with colleagues in academia,
industry, government, learned societies,
professional organisations and the Strategic
Advisory Teams. Programme plans are endorsed by
the Technical Opportunities Panel (TOP), the User
Panel (UP) and by the EPSRC Council. Programme
Managers work closely together to identify
important multidisciplinary opportunities. While
the importance of maintaining and strengthening
individual research disciplines is acknowledged,
major breakthroughs often occur when researchers
from related disciplines work together. Many
EPSRC research activities are co-funded between
programmes, with proposals specifically designed
to encourage multidisciplinary collaborations.
Major cross-EPSRC activities include Novel
Computation, Crime Prevention and Detection
Technologies and the IDEAS Factory. We also have
an active Public Engagement Programme. We manage
the Research Councils' Energy Programme and the
Basic Technology and e-Science Programmes on
behalf of all the Research Councils. Longer-term
priorities for EPSRC are provided in our
Strategic Plan. A detailed statement of the
Research Priorities and Opportunities identified
within the EPSRC portfolio is also available. We
welcome your comments on both of these documents.
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Chemistry Engineering Information and
Communications Technologies Infrastructure and
Environment Innovative Manufacturing Life
Sciences Interface Materials Mathematical
Sciences Physics Energy Basic Technology
e-Science Cross-EPSRC Activities
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• Chemistry Programme
• Research and training supported by the Chemistry
  Programme covers a wide range of chemistry,
  extending to the boundaries with other
  disciplines such as physics, materials science,
  engineering and the life sciences. The majority
  of the Chemistry Programme research grant funding
  is allocated through responsive mode, and
  assessed through the Chemistry Panel.
• The objectives of the Chemistry Programme are to
• Maintain the health of the chemistry discipline
  through the support of high quality research.
• Support key areas of chemistry research that
  offer particular scientific and industrial
  opportunities.
• Facilitate research opportunities at the
  interfaces with other disciplines.
• Provide support for a sufficient supply of
  postgraduate researchers in chemistry with the
  skills required to meet the needs of industry,
  public bodies and academia.
• Following the International Review of Chemistry
  which has highlighted the need for more adventure
  in research, adventure continues to be encouraged
  in responsive mode but separate pump-priming
  activities are also planned. The programme
  continues to recognise the importance of both
  core chemistry and outreach to other disciplines.
  The flexibility of EPSRC support through
  responsive mode and for postgraduate training
  will continue to be promoted.
• The Chemistry Programme also funds national
  services in mass spectrometry, computational
  chemistry, solid state NMR, X-ray
  crystallography, EPR and chemical database.

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• Physics Programme
• The Physics Programme supports a broad portfolio
  of research and training in the areas of atomic
  and molecular physics, condensed matter, nuclear
  physics, optics and lasers and plasmas.
• The objectives of the programme are to
• Increase the understanding and exploitation of
  the fundamental properties of matter and energy
  through the support of leading edge research.
• Enhance the excellence of the research base by
  supporting a high quality portfolio of research
  and postgraduate training.
• Support a pool of talented researchers at all
  stages of their careers.
• Enhance the performance of other disciplines and
  user communities through the provision of
  knowledge and trained personnel.
• Responsive Mode plays an important role in
  supporting high quality science and the research
  community is encouraged to make use of its
  flexibility. Applicants must contact the
  Programme Manager or the relevant Associate
  Programme Manager for consultation regarding the
  submission of proposals above 1 million.
• A full list of mechanisms available for
  supporting research and collaboration can be
  found in Funding Opportunities. The Physics
  Programme has available up to four Postdoctoral
  Fellowships in Theoretical Physics each year -
  see latest call for proposals (closing date 18
  October 2005).

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Calls For Proposals
Bridging the Gaps Between Mathematical
Sciences, ICT and Engineering EPSRC would like
to encourage researchers in the mathematical
sciences, information and communication
technology (ICT), and engineering to bridge the
disciplines in their university and work more
closely together. Issued 26/10/05 Closing
Date 19/04/06 Challenging Engineering
2008-2009 - Call for Outline ApplicationIssued
4 November 2008 Next Generation Facility Users'
Call 2008 Issued 16 October 2008 Design in the
Digital World - Call for Expressions of Interest
Issued 6 October 2008
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PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION
Complete Application Form
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Send to EPSRC
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Response
EPSRC
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Sent to 3-4 Referees
Comments
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Comments
PANEL
REJECT
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RESULT
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• 
  Responsive Mode
• The majority of research funded by EPSRC is
  supported through responsive mode. The key
  features of responsive mode are
• No closing dates - applications may be submitted
  at any time.
• No constraints on the field of research,
  providing the majority of it falls within our
  remit. Prominence is given to the applicant as
  the creative figure who determines the direction
  of the research.
• Research quality, as defined by independent peer
  review, is the main criterion against which
  proposals are assessed.
• . to support a wide variety of proposals,
  including feasibility studies, instrument
  development, equipment to support a number of
  research projects, overseas travel grants and
  visiting researchers, and long-term proposals to
  develop or maintain critical mass.
• is very flexible, with the scale of projects
  supported ranging from small travel grants to
  multi-million pound research programmes. High
  risk/high return research proposals, embracing
  new concepts or techniques, are particularly
  encouraged.
• encourage the involvement of industrial
  collaborators on responsive mode research
  proposals, particularly where the involvement can
  significantly help the progress of the research
  and the take-up of the research results.
• Programme Managers and Associate Programme
  Managers are happy to discuss your ideas for
  responsive mode proposals before their
  submission. We particularly encourage discussion
  for proposals with a complex management nature,
  those involving large consortia or those
  consisting of more than one research theme.
• In putting together a Case for Support for your
  proposal, you should consider how to best use the
  allowed page limits to reflect the nature of the
  project.
• Proposals should be submitted using the Research
  Councils' Joint Electronic submission (Je-S)
  System.

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CCLRC now part of STFC

• The Council for the Central Laboratory of the
  Research Councils (CCLRC or CLRC) is a UK
  government body that carries out civil research
  in science and engineering. It administers the
  UK's large scale facilities for materials
  research, laser and space science and alternative
  energy exploration on behalf of the government,
  the other UK research funding bodies,
  universities, and corporate research and
  development.
• It employs about 1700 staff at three locations
• Chilbolton Observatory, near Stockbridge in
  Hampshire
• Daresbury Laboratory. at Daresbury in Cheshire
• Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot in
  Oxfordshire

PS700
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CCLRC
The Rutherford High Energy Laboratory was set up
on the former RAF Harwell airfield between
Chilton and Harwell in 1957, and merged with the
Atlas and Appleton Laboratories in 1975 and 1979,
respectively, to form the current laboratory. The
CCLRC was set up to run RAL as well as Daresbury
Laboratory in 1996
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In the US
The National Science Foundation (NSF) .an
independent federal agency created by Congress in
1950 "to promote the progress of science to
advance the national health, prosperity, and
welfare to secure the national defense" With
an annual budget of about 6.06 billion, we are
the funding source for approximately 20 percent
of all federally supported basic research
conducted by Americas colleges and universities.
In many fields such as mathematics, computer
science and the social sciences, NSF is the major
source of federal backing.
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The NSF the US model since 1950
Research funding begins with workshops and
conferences to discuss the progress of science
and engineering and what the US needs to
accomplish in each field. Next, the agency
publishes a notice about a funding opportunity (a
"solicitation"), which invites researchers to
submit proposals describing their ideas on how to
meet a particular need. At any time, scientists
and engineers are also welcome to send in
unsolicited proposals Merit Review Criterion 1
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed
activity? Criterion 2 What are the broader
impacts of the proposed activity?
PS700
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Europe
The European Research Council (ERC) is the first
European funding body set up to support
investigator-driven frontier research.
7th Framework Programme (FP7) The Seventh
Framework Programme for research and
technological development (FP7) is the European
Unions chief instrument for funding research
over the period 2007 to 2013. CORDIS is the
official portal for participating in FP7 and
following related developments in European
science and technology. The European Commission's
Directorate-General for Research has published
two calls for proposals in the Thematic Area of
'Research potential of convergence regions' under
the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

The ESF also exists