This document sets out our plans for a programme of research and evaluation which will inform and support the policies we have developed to promote and provide the opportunity of successful participation in higher education to everyone who can benefit from it.
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2008/08_10/
Could I take this opportunity to remind colleagues of a service we are able to offer staff applying for research funding. I am aware that all areas now operate internal peer review of external funding applications over £5,000. However we are able to provide a ‘non-peer’ review of draft proposals for staff who would like additional advice. Peer reviewers naturally tend to focus on the merits of the research and the appropriateness of the methodology. By non-peer review we mean a review of the non-specialist aspects of proposals. We can review how well a proposal addresses issues such as user involvement, dissemination plans etc. as well as the overall presentation. It can be the extent to which these non-specialist dimensions have been addressed which can make the difference particularly when proposals are at the funding margin. We can also check that all possible eligible costs have been included to maximise cost recovery. I should emphasise that seeking this input from us is purely optional and it is up to the applicants whether they wish to accept advice we offer!
We are running a number of sessions in the Staff Development programme in the next couple of months and I would be grateful if these could be brought the attention of staff who may benefit from attending these. Details of these courses can be found via the following link, where bookings can also be made.
http://staff.plymouth.ac.uk//staffdev/courseinformation/intranet.htm
Please note that the Research Policy and Development team of the Research and Innovation department has moved office from 17a Portland Villas to room 103, 21 Portland Villas. The members of the team are myself, John Martin, Penny Gardiner and Wendy Miller. Internal mail for us should now be addressed to 21PV.
Martin Quinn
Deputy Director - Research and Innovation
Research fellowships
The Leverhulme Trust invites applications for its research fellowships. These support experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. There are no restrictions on academic discipline, and awards are not limited to those holding appointments in higher education.
Eligible applicants must: be resident in the UK; be able to demonstrate experience and academic background sufficient to confirm their ability to complete the proposed research; not be registered for a degree, for doctoral studies, or for profession or vocational qualifications.
Fellowships will last between three and 24 months and have a maximum value of £35,000. Awards may cover research expenses or a contribution towards replacement costs or loss of earnings.
For further details see http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/research_fellowships/
Deadline: 4pm, 7 November 2008
The Economic and Social Research Council invites applications for funding under its research grants scheme. Awards ranging from £15,000 to £1.5 million, at 100 per cent full economic cost, will be made to eligible institutions to allow individuals or research teams to undertake small or large research projects in subject areas falling within the ESRC remit (including Education). Requests for funding of less than £100,000, at 100 per cent FEC, will be considered under small grants regulations, applications for projects exceeding this amount will be assessed as standard grant proposals.
ESRC will provide grants lasting up to five years to support basic, applied or strategic research. Funding is available for universities, colleges of higher education and independent research institutes in the UK approved by the ESRC.
Visit http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/index.aspx