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Strategic skills awards

Proposal deadline: 25 May 2012

BBSRC and MRC are collaborating with the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) to provide additional funding to BBSRC- and MRC-funded studentships to support research training in integrative mammalian biology.

Background

• This is an important joint initiative reflecting concerns which have been raised regarding the funding of high-quality research training in an area of strategic importance to the life sciences industries in the UK
• The Research Councils are building on the experience of the BPS in running a very successful scheme to provide additional funding to Research Council PhD studentships using funding from industry

Aim

• To ensure departments do not feel under financial pressure to keep students away from high-cost research training which is strategically important for the UK

What the awards cover

• Additional funding to cover the costs of integrative mammalian research skills in BBSRC and MRC PhDs
• Funding is only available to supplement studentships funded by BBSRC and MRC, in particular studentships funded from:
• BBSRC Quota Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs) and BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships 
• MRC Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs)
• Awards will provide additional funding towards the high-costs of in vivo training and will not replace normal studentship funding being drawn from DTGs/DTPs. Standard studentship costs (i.e. student stipend, fees, etc) should be drawn from BBSRC DTGs/DTPs or MRC DTGs as normal. Justification of resources required above and beyond that provided through standard studentship support, will be taken into consideration in determining the level of award, if any, recommended.
• Funding will be available on an individual student project basis. Projects must involve a significant component of high quality in vivo training and research. Priority will be given to projects that use advanced in vivo recording techniques that maximize the data obtained from each animal and minimise disturbance. Projects in which the in vivo component comprises of the generation of a transgenic line or the use of animals solely as sources of tissues or biological fluids will not be considered for funding, as they do not provide a sufficient level of in vivo training.
• Proposals are invited relating to individual PhD projects which will commence in the coming (autumn 2012) academic year.

How to apply

• The holder or coordinator of the DTG/DTA should complete the case for support form (see annex 2 of the guidance notes) citing the reference number of the DTG/DTA which will be used to fund the proposed studentship
• We invite proposals relating to PhD projects commencing in the coming academic year. This may be:
• when a new BBSRC- or MRC-funded student will be starting the PhD
• where an existing BBSRC or MRC PhD student will be starting the research phase of a 4-year PhD programme (i.e. after a rotation or taught first year)
• Applicants should read our guidance notes to ensure details of the PhD projects submitted meet the strategic aims of the scheme

Proposals relating to MRC studentships should be sent to the external contact below.
Proposals relating to BBSRC studentships should be sent to the contact below.

Assessment

Proposals are scheduled to be assessed on June 2012 by an independent panel (including representation from the NC3Rs) to ensure projects fully align with the 3Rs of animal research:

• Replacement
• Refinement
• Reduction

The panel will ensure projects provide students with high quality training to be able to undertake research in the most effective way to ensure good animal welfare.

Contacts

For any queries relating to the awards please use the BBSRC or MRC contacts below (depending on whether the award will be associated with a BBSRC DTG/DTP or an MRC DTG). Where possible, queries should be made from a single point of contact per institution.

Contact