Royal Society – funding excellence in research : Royal Society – funding excellence in research Rebecca Holderness – Senior Manager UK Grants


Aims of Royal Society Funding : Aims of Royal Society Funding We aim to advance excellence and innovation in UK science, engineering and medicine by enabling the best scientific talent to excel and prosper for the benefit of society To extend support for present and future leaders in science Aim to attract and retain the best scientists Ensure that the UK engages with the best science around the world


How much funding: How much funding The Society’s income for year ended March 05 was £48m – of which we received £32M as Parliamentary Grant in Aid In 2005/06 we spent £34.7m on grants – £28.5m on UK grants and £6.2m on international grants


Nature and Volume of RS Funding: Nature and Volume of RS Funding


Nature and Volume of RS Funding: Nature and Volume of RS Funding


Funding UK Science: Funding UK Science UK Grants seek to strengthen UK science by supporting scientists of the highest calibre or promise Schemes cover a broad spectrum of career stages; funds scientists at postdoctoral level through to senior professorships Support the modernisation of labs, and fund research activities which help to promote innovation and technology transfer.


UK grant portfolio: UK grant portfolio 15 schemes are available to support science in the UK Flagship schemes University Research Fellowships Dorothy Hodgkins Fellowships Wolfson Research Merit Awards Royal Society Research Professorships


University Research Fellowships: University Research Fellowships Opportunities for 2007 open now! Min. 2 years – max. 7 years post doc experience Value lies in the financial support for independent research within a host department. Limits the amount of teaching and administration placed upon a Fellow. Royal Society covers salary costs, some research expenses and estates and indirect costs under fEC


University Research Fellowships: University Research Fellowships 2006 received 512 applications and made 45 appointments to start in October 2006. 5 year fellowship, with 2 possible extensions for a maximum of 10 years support. Can be flexible, will support transfers and amendments in research proposals during fellowship Value added by the support the Royal Society provides to its Research Fellows CLOSING DATE 1ST NOVEMBER 2006


Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships: Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships 2006 Fellowships just announced Further fellowships in 2007 Support scientists that require flexibility in their career and working patterns Could be changing working hours (part-time to full-time and back again) Family responsibilities, health issues Conflicting work or volunteering commitments 4 year fellowship – can be extended to cover part-time Maximum 4 years post-doc exp at time of application


Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards: Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards Prestigious award that supports the retention, and retainment of the best scientists to work within the UK Looking for scientists of international repute, achievement and potential. Applications have to come from the Vice Chancellor and HoD 5 years support for salary and expenses 3 rounds a year + fast-track


Senior Appointments: Senior Appointments Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellowships Popular scheme that ‘buys-out’ the teaching and admin duties of academic researchers, allowing them to concentrate on full-time research for up to one year. Must hold a permanent post in HEI or not for profit research institution Applications open in the summer for a deadline in December Research Professorships Now open for 2006 applications - 4 positions International eligibility for the first time – but must have a host organisation in the UK to support the application Salary support + generous expense support


Other fellowship schemes: Other fellowship schemes Summer studentships Relocation fellowships


Support to innovation: Support to innovation Brian Mercer Awards for Innovation Built environment, nanotechnology/nanoscience Two levels – major £250K requiring business plans Feasibility £30K which cover electroengineering Mullard Award Industry Fellowships Support knowledge transfer in science and technology between industry and academia – pays salary contribution to cover the period of exchange


And finally – UK research funding: And finally – UK research funding Wolfson Lab Refurbishment Scheme Research Grants – several round of funding each year that supports seed funding for new projects, or a change in research direction – supports the purchase of equipment and consumables Paul Instrument Fund Scientific Relief Fund


International grant portfolio: International grant portfolio International Incoming & Outgoing Short Visits Conference Grants Joint Projects Fellowships to the UK


Conference grants: Conference grants Supports UK based scientists to either present their own paper/poster or chair a session at an overseas conference. Attend a conference in any country outside the UK Funding up to a maximum of 10 days International airfare, registration & subsistence


International incoming & outgoing short visits: International incoming & outgoing short visits To initiate one to one collaborations To explore opportunities to build lasting networks To gain access to complementary equipment, data, observations and ideas Global Reach


International Joint Projects : International Joint Projects Provides basic mobility funds for bilateral international scientific collaboration between the UK and countries all over the world Joint Projects run for a duration of 2 years Maximum £6,000 provided annually for travel and subsistence, with up to £1,000 of this available for research expenses/consumables Must be lead by postdoctoral scientist but PhD students can participate in travel and research


Fellowships to the UK: Fellowships to the UK Supports overseas scientists to spend extended periods of time conducting research in the UK One year fellowships to the UK from China, India, Japan, South Korea and South East Asia Three year fellowships from USA and Canada Mainly awarded to recent postdoctoral scientists


Networking Scheme: Networking Scheme Set up to initiate and encourage “bottom-up” networking new and enduring partnerships between the UK and overseas scientists Two formats: One-to-one meetings, lasting between five days to three months Small seminars or workshops (5+5 meetings) on clearly defined topics, typically lasting up to 5 days Themed events (International Policy)


Selection criteria: Selection criteria Track record of candidates and host institutions Quality of the proposal Added value of the collaboration Mutual benefits to both partners Potential contribution to the UK (and overseas) science base


Nurturing the Royal Society awardees : Nurturing the Royal Society awardees Professional Development MP and MEP Pairing Scheme Media and Communication Training Innovation and the Business of Science Organisational context Inclusion of grant holders into wider Royal Society activities


www.royalsoc.ac.uk/funding E-mail: rebecca.holderness@royalsoc.ac.ukTel: 020-7452 2536: www.royalsoc.ac.uk/funding E-mail: rebecca.holderness@royalsoc.ac.uk Tel: 020-7452 2536