1. Newton Fund –NERC/NSFC CZO
The overarching goal of the programme is to understand and seek ways to address the challenges faced for the delivery of China's ecosystems services in association with their agricultural production and urbanisation.
Required Critical Zone Observatory approach and ODA compliance.
EoI stage -> 8 invited to full proposal -> 5 funded
School of Biological Sciences

3. What likely made these bids successful?
Longstanding collaboration. Most funded projects built on previous links.
ODA relevant challenge and outcomes.
Unique facilities – i.e. access to CZOs and databases.
Relevant and experienced project teams with appropriate collaborators in UK and overseas. Aberdeen SBS and Geosciences. Don’t silo yourself!
Close match to remit. Shoe-horning in slightly relevant work won’t work.
Matching to the right partners in China.
Structured, achievable workplans, that take into account challenges of international research.

4. Benefits and challenges
Dual application – English and Chinese
Well funded collaboration with a multi-disciplinary approach.
ODA compliant from the outset, based on underpinning science.
Bridging of scientific ”cultures”.
Communication & distance.
Lots of travel…