STFC Research and Innovation

University of Leicester

2 April 2014

Colin Vincent & Kim Burchell, Astronomy Division

Programmes Directorate

We Excite

We inspire

We Inspire

We discover

We innovate

HM Government (and HM Treasury)

RCUK Executive Group

Funding Mechanism

Isaac Newton Group of TelescopesLa Palma

UK Astronomy Technology CentreEdinburgh

Polaris HouseSwindon, Wiltshire

Chilbolton ObservatoryStockbridge, Hampshire

Daresbury LaboratoryDaresbury Science and Innovation CampusWarrington, Cheshire

Joint Astronomy Centre Hawaii

Rutherford Appleton LaboratoryHarwell Oxford Science and Innovation Campus

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 - HeadSharon Bonfield - FacilitiesKim Burchell – GrantsMatthew 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 industrySTFC 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

• 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• 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

• 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

• Industry can offer in-kind support or as a subcontractor

• www.stfc.ac.uk/clasp

STFC Impact Acceleration Account – Pilot

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

www.stfc.ac.uk/workingwithindustry

www.stfc.ac.uk/commercialisation

Thank you

Key Contact at STFC:

phillip.tait@stfc.ac.uk