STFC Research and Innovation
University of Leicester
2 April 2014
Colin Vincent & Kim Burchell, Astronomy
Division
Programmes Directorate
We
Inspire
We Excite
We inspire
We discover
We innovate
Funding Mechanism
HM Government (and HM Treasury)
RCUK Executive Group
UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Edinburgh
Polaris House
Swindon, Wiltshire
Daresbury Laboratory
Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus
Warrington, Cheshire
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell Oxford Science and Innovation Campus
Chilbolton Observatory
Stockbridge, Hampshire
Joint Astronomy
Centre
Hawaii
Isaac Newton Group
of Telescopes
La Palma
STFC Structure – Science
Programmes
John Womersley - CEO
Grahame Blair – Executive
Director Programmes
Janet Seed – Associate
Director Programmes
• Futures
• Innovations
• Particle Physics / Nuclear
Physics / Particle Astrophysics
• Astronomy
• Lasers & light sources
• Public Engagement
• Studentships / fellowships
Astronomy:
Colin Vincent - Head
Sharon Bonfield - Facilities
Kim Burchell – Grants
Matthew Johnson - SKA
Astronomy Programme
facilities
The backbone of the programme is:
• ESO (VLT, VLTI, ALMA,VISTA, VST, La Silla,
APEX, E-ELT) £18M per annum (CERN ~£100M);
• Island sites: UKIRT, JCMT, ING, LT
• Local facilities: e-MERLIN, LOFAR, HPC
• New developments: spectrographs, bilaterals
• Exploitation – grants (~£30M, ~£10M p.a.) including
space missions, theory etc.
• Training – Studentships / Fellowships
UK Space Agency
Since 2010 UKSA has:
• taken over responsibility for UK relations
with ESA (NASA etc.)
• support for the development of space
instrumentation
• post-launch support
• all aspects of the development of the UK
space industry
STFC retains science strategy, early technology
development and exploitation
What drives our priorities?
BIS Challenges
Global uncertainties
Digital economy
Ageing and wellbeing
Living with environmental change
Energy
Global food security
Funding Opportunities
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Consolidated grants
Training Awards
Innovations
Futures
Public Engagement
PRD
SoIs
Consolidated Grants
• One application per department for each research programme
(Astronomy/PP/PP Theory/NP) with one deadline per year.
• Astronomy award for 3 years. PP awards with core posts are awarded
for 4 years.
• Expectation of continued support following review of existing grant –
but not guaranteed.
• Consortium grants: essentially joint consolidated grants and potentially
of more interest to smaller departments. Must have a common
research programme between the departments.
• New Applicant scheme: available for newly appointed academic
members of staff joining a department between reviews.
Astronomy Grants Panel (AGP)
Single Panel comprising 4 sub-panels
• Astronomy Observation;
• Astronomy Theory;
• Solar Studies;
• Planetary Studies
Chair Ian Smail, Durham, Deputy Dan Brown
Lancs
Members recommended by community but
selected to match required expertise
AGP Grant Support
• Approximately 50 groups currently receiving AGP /
STFC support
• Comprising 300 projects
• 227 PDRAs
• 28 Technical posts
• 5 Project students
• 71 FTE fEC (Applicant time)
• 5 Consortium grants : Comprising 9 Institutions
Training Awards
• Studentships: would need to have grant funding to be
eligible for awards and be included in the algorithm;
• CASE: could apply for CASE studentships if have
collaboration with industry.
• Fellowships: the quota of allocations to departments
is decided by the active staff numbers that have been
collected for the studentship algorithm.
• We are considering the terms of the algorithm so
might become easier
PhD Studentships
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220 PhD places awarded in 2014
Duration of between 3 and 4 years
Awarded by an algorithm method
5 Industrial CASE studentships awarded in 2014
(next closing date 10 July 2014)
• 5 Summer schools and short courses also supported
in 2014
• STEP (post PhD submission) up to one year of
funding
Ernest Rutherford Fellowships
• Scheme is designed for early career researchers of
more than 2 years post PhD experience, with clear
leadership potential to establish a strong,
independent research programme.
• 12 ERFs awarded in 2013/14 exercise
• Next closing date 25 September 2014
• Returner applications for candidates returning from
career breaks or from working outside of academia
are encouraged by STFC
• STFC also support Daphne Jackson Fellowships
Ernest Rutherford Grants
• Additional grants for successful Ernest Rutherford
Fellows to enhance their fellowship reach
• 7 grants awarded in 2014
• ~ £600k per annum available
Innovation
• Follow-on funding
• Innovation Partnership Scheme
• Challenge-Led Applied Systems
Programme
• Impact Acceleration Account
• Knowledge Transfer Network
Follow-On Funding
Innovation Partnership Schemes
(IPS) - Full and Mini
Challenge Led Applied Systems
Programme (CLASP)
Applies STFC research to global challenges
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User community (Industry, Government etc.) define the priority areas.
STFC community respond with potential solutions.
2014 theme is Healthcare – Launch Event 20th May. Deadline
September
Moving technology from TRL 3-5 (approx).
Short technical outline should include impact, timescales, markets and
work plan
Shortlisted applicants:
• Develop full proposals with advice from CLASP Panel
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Industry can offer in-kind support or as a subcontractor
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www.stfc.ac.uk/clasp
STFC Impact Acceleration
Account – Pilot
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
(KTP)
Thank you
Key Contact at STFC:
phillip.tait@stfc.ac.uk
www.stfc.ac.uk/workingwithindustry
www.stfc.ac.uk/commercialisation