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• DRINC: Apply for funding

Research and technology clubs:

DRINC: Apply for funding

The call for applications is closed.

DRINC will operate for 5 years from 2007 to 2012, supporting research applications through 3 rounds of funding.

Guidelines for call

• Proposed research objectives must fit with the research areas (see downloads section)
• Proposed science must fall within our portfolio, but may also include aspects of MRC's and/or EPSRC's remit
• Funding is for up to 5 years
• Outline applications must be submitted initially
• Aims can be achieved best by an interdisciplinary approach. We particularly encourage collaborative applications which bring together groups with relevant expertise
• £4M is available this call to support a portfolio of projects

Eligibility

UK Higher Education Institutions, Independent Research Organisations and institutes of BBSRC are eligible to apply.

Studentships

Due to the need to foster development of research skills for the UK’s food sector, up to 10 4-year Targeted Priority Studentships in diet and health are available as part of this call. These studentships are awarded formally as part of DRINC. Funding for awarded studentships will start in 2011/12.

Successful applicants in the first stage of assessment will be invited to submit a full application and will also be invited to apply for these studentships.

Studentships will only be awarded to applicants receiving a research grant under this call.

How to apply

The application process has changed from previous calls for proposals.

There is a 2-stage application process:

1. Outline applications must be submitted in an electronic form using the Je-S system. CVs of all applicants (maximum 2 pages per applicant) and a completed Case for Support document (see Downloads) should be uploaded to Je-S. Please read the DRINC outline proposal Je-S guidance notes (see Downloads).
2. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application to stage 2 of the process

Assessment

Outline applications will be assessed by the DRINC Steering Group and will not be reviewed externally.

Full applications will be peer reviewed prior to final assessment by the DRINC Steering Group. The decision to fund full applications will be announced in July 2010 (dates to be confirmed).

Assessment criteria

• Scientific excellence: The extent to which the application meets the highest international standards of current research in its field. High performance against this factor will indicate a project of the highest standard, competitive with the best activity anywhere in the world. It is expected that, except in the most unusual circumstances (which should be clearly explained), any application that goes on to be funded will be at least competitive with other comparable work within the UK and, unless the overall score is moderated by other competitiveness factors, will be well above this standard
• Strategic relevance: The extent to which the outcome of the proposed research could meet the aims of DRINC
• Prosperity and quality of life:The extent to which the output of the research will contribute knowledge that will directly underpin creation of prosperity or improvement of quality of life in the UK
• Timeliness and promise: The extent to which the application is particularly appropriate at the present time, or offers longer-term benefits over and above the direct value of the research
• Cost effectiveness: The extent to which the overall cost of the application, relative to the anticipated scientific gains, represents an attractive investment of DRINC funds

Special conditions of funding

Recognising the financial support for the programme from industrial members of the club, special conditions will be attached to any research grants subsequently awarded, along the following lines:

• Grant holders will be expected to liaise with the external coordinator of the club, making available progress reports as requested and participating in meetings with both industrial members and other participants
• The university will continue to own any IP arising from research grant funds as provided under standard conditions of BBSRC research grants. However, in exploiting the outcomes of the research, first rights of refusal should be given to industrial members of the club
• To respond to requests from BBSRC regarding project outcomes as required, following the end of the award

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