KESS Applicants’ Workshop
Part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through
the European Union’s Convergence programme
administered by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Applicants Workshop
• Provide project background
• Brief you on the current call for
applications
• Provide information on what makes a
good application
What is KESS?
ESF supported collaborative research projects linked
to businesses based in the Convergence region of
Wales (West Wales and the Valleys), focused on
meeting the higher-level skills needs of WAGs
priority sectors.
1. KESS Mini (Research Masters)
2. KESS Maxi (PhD)
3. Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) all KESS scholars undertake research, business and
innovation skills training as part of their scholarships
Project Background:
Developing Research
Skills
Research Skills
Training
Knowledge Economy
Skills Scholarships
•
•
•
•
•
• Objective One
• Jun 05 - Jun 08
• Bangor, Swansea
& Aberystwyth
• 80 PhD Places
• Full Evaluation
•
•
•
•
•
Objective One
Oct 04 - Oct 07
Bangor University
50 PhD Places
Full Evaluation
Convergence
2009 - 2014
All Welsh HEIs
220 PhD Places
200 MRes Places
West Wales
& the Valleys
Convergence
Region
ESF Convergence Programme
Overall Aim
• To create a high skill, knowledge driven economy with full
employment, a skilled, adaptable workforce and responsive
businesses, at the cutting edge of sustainable development
• Priority 3 - Improving skills levels and adaptability of the
workforce.
• Theme 2 - Skills for the Knowledge Economy: higher level skills
and systems for workforce development
Objectives
• Prepare and train individuals to contribute to research as
professionals;
• Increase the research capacity of SMEs by linking with Masters
and PhD projects;
• Encourage SMEs to undertake research and recruit researchers;
• Support the development of key technologies in the
Convergence area;
• Promote Higher-level Skills Development in the Welsh
workforce
WAG’s Priority R&D Sectors:
Digital
Economy
Low Carbon
Economy
Welsh Assembly
Government’s Priority
Sectors
Health &
Bioscience
Advanced
Engineering &
Manufacturing
Project Headlines
•
Officially launched in Nov 09 by the Deputy First Minister and
Education Minister;
•
Led by Bangor on behalf the HE sector in Wales;
•
The largest of the 4 ESF collaborative HEI projects (ATM, WBL
and Foundation Degrees);
•
400+ scholarships over 5 years;
•
96 KESS scholarships live in Wales (Oct. 10);
•
Unique in the way it uses ESF to support Higher level skills
development
The 3 core components of a KESS Scholarship:
Research
Collaborative
Project
Higher-level
Skills
Development
Knowledge Economy Skills
Scholarships
Penny Dowdney
Research Skills Development Manager
Postgraduate Skills Development Award
• Skills Forge software: initial skills audit; drop-down menu of
provision; booking system; calendar; records (skills training
and supervisory meetings); details can be locked.
• MRes: 60/120 credit split: 30 KESS credits: need to attend a
2-day GRAD School (10 credits).
• PhD: 60 KESS credits: 3-day GRAD School in year two (20
credits).
• GRAD Schools run North, Mid + South Wales spring /
autumn.
Postgraduate Skills Development Award (cont.)
• Credits can be made up of modular courses (generic or disciplinespecific);
• Credits can be made up of an equivalent number of hours of agreed
training (e.g. workshops / events etc.)
• Training will meet the needs of the individual;
• Students may be able to pick up training at partner institutions;
• Guideline: 20 credits = 3 days of training (at appropriate level);
• Certificate on completion of PSDA;
• Completion will be monitored (Skills Forge;)
• Training throughout PhD period.
2011 Applications
Bangor’s Allocation 2011/2012
• 15 PhDs
• 13 MRes
• Scholarship allocated through a competitive call for projects:
- Opens: 10th January 2011
- Closes: 25th February 2011
- Outcome of applications published before Easter
- Scholarships start Sept. 2011 at the latest
KESS Mini
KESS Maxi
12 Months
36 months
MRes / Master by Research
PhD
Collaborative Research Project
with a Enterprise Partner
Collaborative Research Project
with a Enterprise Partner
Postgraduate Skills Development
Award (30 credits)
Postgraduate Skills Development
Award (60 credits)
£9,548 pa bursary
£14,099 pa bursary
KESS: Eligibility
• Range of partners (must be based in the Convergence area):
– Micro and SMEs
– Large Companies
– 3rd Sector
– Public Sector Organisations (case by case basis)
• Student must be based in the Convergence area on application and
have the right to work here on completion of the project;
• IP owned by host University (exclusive and non exclusive licenses
available to exploit IP – additional cost).
KESS: Public Sector eligibility
Projects of last resort;
• Overall balance between SME projects and others;
• Potential for economic benefit;
• Skills developed of relevance to the private sector in the
convergence area;
• WEFO’s preference is for “research being carried out
under the auspices of links with private sector, with
support from and buy in of the relevant public body.”
KESS Priority Sectors
• Welsh Assembly Government’s priority economic
sectors:
–
–
–
–
Digital Economy (ICT)
Low Carbon Economy
Health and Bioscience
Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing
• Can consider other project if they can demonstrate
fit with:
Economic Renewal Programme / spatial plan / cross
cutting technologies / demand from local employers
KESS: approval criteria
1. Fit with WAG’s priority economic sectors;
2. Potential economic benefit of the project;
3. Quality of the research proposal;
4. Fit with the University’s research strategy;
KESS: approval criteria
Other considerations:
1. Academic’s track record of working collaboratively;
2. Commitment of the project partners to skills development;
3. Financial status of the partner (credit check);
4. Linkage with other European funded projects, Aber-Bangor
Partnership, KT projects etc.
5. Preference for new partners
KESS - benefits of participating (Companies)
• Business focused research;
• Attract and support the development of researchers
in your company;
• Establish on-going links with the University;
• Support other projects e.g. KTP;
• Up-skill existing staff;
• Low cost of participating
Company partner contribution
Type of
Organisation
Nos.
employees
Eligible to
participate
Cash
Contribution
p.a. (£k)
In-kind
Contribution
p.a. (£k)
Micro
< 10
Yes
2.5
1.5
Small
< 50
Yes
2.5
1.5
Medium
< 250
Yes
3
1.5
Large Company
> 250
Yes
3.5
1.5
Third Sector
-
Yes
(dependent
on size)
1.5
Public Sector
-
On a case-by
case-basis
3.5
1.5
Financial Makeup of a KESS Scholarship:
% contribution of each funding element:
ESF Grant
7% 3%
University Match (Supervisory time + overheads)
30%
60%
Company Cash
Company In-kind
Scholarship Budget
Item
Student Stipend (starting)
Amount (£)
KESS Mini 9,548
KESS Maxi 14,099
Travel / Conference Costs (p.a.)
1,000
Equipment / Consumables (p.a.)
3,000
Skills Development / Training / Student Support
(p.a.)
1,000
Academic Travel (p.a.)
200
KESS: Approval process
• Step 1 - Initial project discussions with potential partners
Support available from Central KESS team to screen ideas,
identify partners, etc.
• Step 2 - Company and academic complete application form
Guidance available from Central KESS team
Sign off by Head of School
• Step 3 - Initial assessment
KESS central team to check eligibility, fit and company finances
for the proposed project
• Step 4 - Assessment by College Director of Research
Quality of Research proposal and fit with college research
priorities
• Step 5 - Final assessment by the KESS Approval Panel
Approval / Decline
KESS: Support and Help
•
•
•
•
•
•
Completing the application form;
Initial screening of ideas;
Advice on identifying company partners;
Navigating ‘WEFO’ speak;
Company credit checks;
Linking with other KT projects in the University
Other Opportunities:
• Look out for the college specific funding sheets
hitting your inbox soon.
• Also downloadable from www.bangor.ac.uk/rio
• A4 sheet with opportunities from:
– Major UK funders
– Postgraduate opportunities
– Innovation / collaborative opportunities
KESS Central Team
Mr Bryn Jones
Project Manager
Tel: 01248 383887
Email: bryn.jones@bangor.ac.uk
Mr Chris Hillier
Business Development Manager
Tel: 01248 382357
Email: c.hillier@bangor.ac.uk
Mr Brian Murcutt
Senior Project Administrator
Tel: 01248 382162
Email: b.murcutt@bangor.ac.uk
Ms Katie Minton
Senior Clerical Admin
Tel: 01248 383582
Email: k.j.minton@bangor.ac.uk
Mrs Penny Dowdney
Research Skills Development Manager
Tel: 01248 382266
Email: p.j.dowdney@bangor.ac.uk
Mr Steve Moss
Senior Clerical Admin (Finance)
Tel: 01248 382162
Email: fox802@bangor.ac.uk
Further information / Contact details:
web:
www.higherskillswales.co.uk/kess
e-mail: kess@bangor.ac.uk
tel:
01248 38 2162 / 3887
Cwestiynau / Questions?
Diolch yn fawr / Thank you