KESS Applicants’ Workshop Part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the European Union’s Convergence programme administered by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Applicants Workshop Provide project background Brief you on the current call for applications Provide information on what makes a good application

What is KESS? ESF supported collaborative research projects linked to businesses based in the Convergence region of Wales (West Wales and the Valleys), focused on meeting the higher-level skills needs of WAGs priority sectors. 1.KESS Mini (Research Masters) 2.KESS Maxi (PhD) 3.Postgraduate Skills Development Award (PSDA) - all KESS scholars undertake research, business and innovation skills training as part of their scholarships

Project Background: Developing Research Skills Objective One Oct 04 - Oct 07 Bangor University 50 PhD Places Full Evaluation Research Skills Training Objective One Jun 05 - Jun 08 Bangor, Swansea & Aberystwyth 80 PhD Places Full Evaluation Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships Convergence All Welsh HEIs 220 PhD Places 200 MRes Places

West Wales & the Valleys Convergence Region

ESF Convergence Programme Overall Aim To create a high skill, knowledge driven economy with full employment, a skilled, adaptable workforce and responsive businesses, at the cutting edge of sustainable development Priority 3 - Improving skills levels and adaptability of the workforce. Theme 2 - Skills for the Knowledge Economy: higher level skills and systems for workforce development

Objectives Prepare and train individuals to contribute to research as professionals; Increase the research capacity of SMEs by linking with Masters and PhD projects; Encourage SMEs to undertake research and recruit researchers; Support the development of key technologies in the Convergence area; Promote Higher-level Skills Development in the Welsh workforce

WAG’s Priority R&D Sectors: Digital Economy Low Carbon Economy Health & Bioscience Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Welsh Assembly Government’s Priority Sectors

Project Headlines Officially launched in Nov 09 by the Deputy First Minister and Education Minister; Led by Bangor on behalf the HE sector in Wales; The largest of the 4 ESF collaborative HEI projects (ATM, WBL and Foundation Degrees); 400+ scholarships over 5 years; 96 KESS scholarships live in Wales (Oct. 10); Unique in the way it uses ESF to support Higher level skills development

The 3 core components of a KESS Scholarship: Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships Higher-level Skills Development Collaborative Project Research

Penny Dowdney Research Skills Development Manager

Postgraduate Skills Development Award Skills Forge software: initial skills audit; drop-down menu of provision; booking system; calendar; records (skills training and supervisory meetings); details can be locked. MRes: 60/120 credit split: 30 KESS credits: need to attend a 2-day GRAD School (10 credits). PhD: 60 KESS credits: 3-day GRAD School in year two (20 credits). GRAD Schools run North, Mid + South Wales spring / autumn.

Postgraduate Skills Development Award (cont.) Credits can be made up of modular courses (generic or discipline- specific); Credits can be made up of an equivalent number of hours of agreed training (e.g. workshops / events etc.) Training will meet the needs of the individual; Students may be able to pick up training at partner institutions; Guideline: 20 credits = 3 days of training (at appropriate level); Certificate on completion of PSDA; Completion will be monitored (Skills Forge;) Training throughout PhD period.

2011 Applications

Bangor’s Allocation 2011/ PhDs 13 MRes Scholarship allocated through a competitive call for projects: -Opens: 10 th January Closes: 25 th February Outcome of applications published before Easter -Scholarships start Sept at the latest

KESS Mini 12 MonthsMRes / Master by Research Collaborative Research Project with a Enterprise Partner Postgraduate Skills Development Award (30 credits) £9,548 pa bursary KESS Maxi 36 monthsPhD Collaborative Research Project with a Enterprise Partner Postgraduate Skills Development Award (60 credits) £14,099 pa bursary

KESS: Eligibility Range of partners (must be based in the Convergence area): – Micro and SMEs – Large Companies – 3rd Sector – Public Sector Organisations (case by case basis) Student must be based in the Convergence area on application and have the right to work here on completion of the project; IP owned by host University (exclusive and non exclusive licenses available to exploit IP – additional cost).

KESS: Public Sector eligibility Projects of last resort; Overall balance between SME projects and others; Potential for economic benefit; Skills developed of relevance to the private sector in the convergence area; WEFO’s preference is for “research being carried out under the auspices of links with private sector, with support from and buy in of the relevant public body.”

KESS Priority Sectors Welsh Assembly Government’s priority economic sectors: – Digital Economy (ICT) – Low Carbon Economy – Health and Bioscience – Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Can consider other project if they can demonstrate fit with: Economic Renewal Programme / spatial plan / cross cutting technologies / demand from local employers

KESS: approval criteria 1.Fit with WAG’s priority economic sectors; 2.Potential economic benefit of the project; 3.Quality of the research proposal; 4.Fit with the University’s research strategy;

KESS: approval criteria Other considerations: 1.Academic’s track record of working collaboratively; 2.Commitment of the project partners to skills development; 3.Financial status of the partner (credit check); 4.Linkage with other European funded projects, Aber-Bangor Partnership, KT projects etc. 5.Preference for new partners

KESS - benefits of participating (Companies) Business focused research; Attract and support the development of researchers in your company; Establish on-going links with the University; Support other projects e.g. KTP; Up-skill existing staff; Low cost of participating

Company partner contribution Type of Organisation Nos. employees Eligible to participate Cash Contribution p.a. (£k) In-kind Contribution p.a. (£k) Micro< 10Yes Small< 50Yes Medium< 250Yes31.5 Large Company> 250Yes Third Sector-Yes(dependent on size) 1.5 Public Sector-On a case-by case-basis

Financial Makeup of a KESS Scholarship:

Scholarship Budget ItemAmount (£) Student Stipend (starting)KESS Mini 9,548 KESS Maxi 14,099 Travel / Conference Costs (p.a.)1,000 Equipment / Consumables (p.a.)3,000 Skills Development / Training / Student Support (p.a.) 1,000 Academic Travel (p.a.)200

KESS: Approval process Step 1 - Initial project discussions with potential partners Support available from Central KESS team to screen ideas, identify partners, etc. Step 2 - Company and academic complete application form Guidance available from Central KESS team Sign off by Head of School Step 3 - Initial assessment KESS central team to check eligibility, fit and company finances for the proposed project Step 4 - Assessment by College Director of Research Quality of Research proposal and fit with college research priorities Step 5 - Final assessment by the KESS Approval Panel Approval / Decline

KESS: Support and Help Completing the application form; Initial screening of ideas; Advice on identifying company partners; Navigating ‘WEFO’ speak; Company credit checks; Linking with other KT projects in the University

Other Opportunities: Look out for the college specific funding sheets hitting your inbox soon. Also downloadable from A4 sheet with opportunities from: – Major UK funders – Postgraduate opportunities – Innovation / collaborative opportunities

KESS Central Team Mr Bryn JonesMr Chris Hillier Project ManagerBusiness Development Manager Tel: Tel: Mr Brian MurcuttMs Katie Minton Senior Project AdministratorSenior Clerical Admin Tel: Tel: Mrs Penny DowdneyMr Steve Moss Research Skills Development ManagerSenior Clerical Admin (Finance) Tel: Tel:

Further information / Contact details: web: tel: / 3887

Cwestiynau / Questions? Diolch yn fawr / Thank you