RCUK International Funding Name Job title Research Councils UK

Why we fund international collaboration By engaging internationally we: widen the scope of research enhance the experience of researchers enable participation in large-scale research increase the impact of research address global issues gain access to unique data promote the UK as a research destination

RCUK International Strategy Increase RCUK influence in international strategy and policy development Promote and facilitate excellent research collaboration Enhance the value and impact of research through international collaboration Show RCUK commitment to key global responsibilities –E.g. poverty, environmental degradation, disease

RCUK presence overseas UK Research Office (UKRO) (established 1984 and located in Brussels, to promote UK participation in EU programmes - first European Country to do this) HEI and counterpart subscribers RCUK China (2007) RCUK US (2007) RCUK India (2008)

Role of the Overseas Teams Gather intelligence on the strategic and research priorities of major overseas funding agencies and institutions Build partnerships with overseas funding agencies to align strategic priorities and set the scene for sustainable joint research programmes Help to overcome institutional barriers and to form productive relationships with the research base Increase the RCUK presence and work with other UK stakeholders in-county to promote UK research and its impact

Funding international collaboration Developing Research Links Stage 1First Links – funds to cover the travel and subsistence costs for short-term visits or workshops. Stage 2A Broader Relationship – once a relationship is established, researchers can apply for funds to extend and broaden this relationship. Funding International Research Collaborations Stage 3Pilot Studies – where relationships are more mature RCUK supports researchers wishing to carry out pilot research. Stage 4Sustainable Interactions – activities that support transnational collaboration. Funding for international collaboration may be embedded in the activities of RCUK programmes and Research Council institutes or as part of the UK’s contribution to specific multilateral organisations.

RCUK runs a number of schemes that foster international collaboration including: BBSRC Partnering Awards - BBSRC runs a number of Partnering Awards to allow UK researchers to work with colleagues in China, Japan, India and the USA. AHRC International Placement Scheme – offers postgraduate students and early career researchers short term fellowships at a number of overseas research institutions such as the Library of Congress. Example: Developing Research Links

What can researchers apply for? Researchers can also apply for funding to support international collaboration as part of a research grant: Travel Equipment Overseas project partners Visiting Researchers Pathways to impact MRC and ESRC allow overseas coinvestigators

How research is funded The Research Councils fund research on a competitive basis employing independent, expert peer review The peer review processes employed are designed to be sensitive to the different needs and cultures that exist within the academic community Responsive mode and directed modes Multidisciplinary proposals Collaborative joint calls

Generic review process Applications submitted electronically Applications checked and peer reviewers selected Applications reviewed Proposer may also respond to reviewer assessment Panel meets to discuss projects and recommend fund/reject (or re-submit) Applicants informed Funding decision taken

Funding international joint research RCUK aims to keep decision-making as simple as possible and to ensure that projects are assessed under a single peer review system, avoiding ‘double jeopardy’ – the risk that a proposed joint project will be approved in one country but not in another There are three main approaches when developing a joint process: –Lead agency –Call secretariat –Shared peer review

1) Submission A single application is submitted to the lead agency, call secretariat or both agencies. The agencies: –agree the scope of the call –develop a single call document –agree common guidance for the assessment by peer reviewers

2) Peer review Lead agency approach – one agency is responsible for the administration of the call. They receive the applications and coordinate the peer review process according to their normal administrative procedures. The partner nominates reviewers. Call secretariat – here proposals are submitted to one agency, the call secretariat but are processed according to the administrative procedures set up specifically for that call. Peer review may be shared with the partner funding agency. A single joint proposal is submitted to both agencies and both undertake the peer review. Reviewer comments are shared between the agencies.

3) Panel meeting When there is a lead agency the proposals are assessed at an appropriate panel meeting, organised by the lead agency. Panel members suggested by the partner agency may be invited to join the panel. Alternatively a joint panel may be set up specifically to consider the proposals for that call. The panel includes members selected by both agencies. A joint panel is usually necessary if there is a separate call secretariat or if both agencies have conducted the peer review.

4) Funding decision Whether proposals are considered by an established panel or one that has been set up especially for the joint call, the agencies decide collectively how many proposals to fund based on the panel’s recommendations. Each agency will usually fund only their national element of successful joint proposals: i.e. the costs of the UK institution are met by RCUK and those of the partner institution by the overseas funding partner. Grants are provided by each agency according to their normal terms and conditions.

Example: Lead agency Proposal reviewed by independent reviewers Funding decision taken Proposal reviewed by panel Researcher in UK is funded Researchers wishing to carry out a joint project submit one proposal Application submitted to RCUK, the lead agency Panel members suggested by FAPESP may join the panel meeting Researchers from FAPESP, the partner country suggests reviewer(s) Researcher based in Brazil is funded This is an example of a lead agency agreement between RCUK and FAPESP

Questions? Thank you