1. EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund workshop – 24 June 2016

2. Agenda 10.00 Arrival and Refreshments 10.30
Welcome and Introduction – Gavin Salisbury, Senior International Manager, EPSRC
11.00
UK ODA context (presentation) – Jennie Dodson, UK Collaborative for Development Science (UKCDS)
11:30
ODA compliance (presentation and discussion) – Gavin Salisbury
12.45
Lunch
13.30
Update on RCUK GCRF (presentation) – Eloise Meller, RCUK GCRF team
14.00
ODA reporting requirements (presentation and discussion) – Gavin Salisbury
15.00
Institutional Sponsorships – Amanda Chmura, Head University Relationships, EPSRC
15.30
Close

3. EPSRC international strategy
Our aim is to enable every EPSRC sponsored researcher (from student to principal investigator) to collaborate with the best researchers from across the world where it adds value to the research they are undertaking.
UK costs of international collaboration can be included in any grant proposal to us.
Collaborators can be from anywhere, subject to the scientific case being made (as judged by peer review).
Our strategic focus is on enabling collaborations with key partners in US, Europe, China, India and Japan.
We are working to put in place lead agency agreements with overseas funding organisations where practicable to avoid the double jeopardy of parallel submissions – trials underway/in development with several funders.
Focus proactive engagement on countries/regions historically strong in EPS and countries rapidly growing their capabilities in EPS.
Our key driver is to simplify international collaborations wherever we can.
Current lead agency agreement with FNR Luxembourg (an RCUK agreement). Pilot NSF agreement with CBET Division of NSF now in place – lead agency with EPSRC Engineering theme.

4. EPSRC international – future plans
As well as planning our future GCRF and Newton Fund activities, we are currently considering ‘where next’ with our priority countries as part of planning for the new Delivery Plan
Key questions to consider:
Which research areas are of such global importance/size that working with other countries to share risk/cost is a must?
Which research areas should we avoid in international engagement so as not to jeopardise the UK’s leading position?

5. ODA – UK context
To date the Department for International Development (DFID) has been the main UK government distributor of ODA funds
In the current Spending Review period significant ODA funding is under the responsibility of other departments, including BIS
ODA spend is reported on a calendar year basis, in our case via BIS and DFID to Treasury and ultimately OECD
Fleming Fund (announced last March) – anti-microbial resistance - £260M
GCRF - £1.5bn; BIS
Ross Fund – infectious diseases - £1bn; DFID+DOH
Prosperity Fund – sustainable economic reforms, operation of markets - £1.3bn; FCO

6. ODA and the Research Councils
Some Research Councils have large existing ODA funding programmes, for example ESRC (series of joint calls with DFID) and MRC (e.g. two research units based in Africa)
All seven Councils are partners in the Newton Fund, a BIS-led ODA funding initiative intended to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between the UK and emerging knowledge economies
All seven Councils are partners in the new Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), both through individual allocations and through a common pot, to be managed by RCUK
16 countries partner in Newton Fund, now including Kenya

7. EPSRC ODA funding activities
EPSRC ODA-specific funding activities before the creation of the Newton Fund were limited, most recently an energy research call with DFID (USES)
Through the Newton Fund to date we have focused on joint activities with China and India in energy, building on existing partnerships. However, we are currently planning a joint call in water engineering (Netherlands, China)
Future Newton Fund activities are subject to a further bidding process to BIS later in the year
USES – Understanding Sustainable Energy Solutions

8. EPSRC’s plans under GCRF
This year’s allocation (£10M) has been awarded as institutional sponsorship grants to our leading universities based on current grant income. Universities awarded a grant with a fixed end date of 31 March 2017 for pump-priming research projects or impact acceleration activities which are ODA compliant
The remainder of our allocation over the Spending Review period (£60M; £15M p.a.) will be focused on calls in ODA-compliant areas. We are currently scoping modes and potential areas – a SAN workshop is planned next month

9. ODA Contacts Gavin Salisbury (Senior Manager, International)
Andy Lawrence (GCRF - Future ODA compliance)
GCRF – team led by Mark Claydon-Smith (Rob Felstead is new Senior Policy Manager)
RCUK International – led by Mike Bright (Vicky Marlow is new RCUK policy manager on ODA reporting and guidance)
Newton Fund (led by Jacqui Williams)
Jane Nicholson (Associate Director Impact and International)

10. Any questions at this point?
UKCDS presentation to follow

11. Official Development Assistance
Definition agreed in 1969 by the OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee).
ODA is the key measure used in most aid targets and assessments of aid performance.
DAC members agree definition – UK can influence but cannot set/change the definition.
1970 most DAC members agreed to long term objective of 0.7% ODA target.
2004 UK govt. set target to achieve 0.7% by 2013.
Measured on a calendar year basis
Detailed programme level data scrutinised and published by the OECD

12. ODA definition
Formally ODA is defined as “those flows to developing countries* and to multilateral institutions for flows to ODA recipients which are:
provided by official agencies, including state and local governments, or by their executive agencies; and
each transaction of which:
is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective; and
is concessional in character and conveys a grant element of at least 25% (discounted at a rate of 10%).”
The key criterion in determining ODA eligibility is establishing economic development and welfare of developing countries as the main objective of the funding.
*Countries and territories on the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List of ODA recipients. Source of definition:
This is the official Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition of ODA.
Countries are added to the DAC List based on their per capita income falling below a certain threshold. The DAC List is refreshed every three years. Of EPSRC’s priority countries for proactive bilateral engagement China and India are both on the list.
The final part of the definition means to say that any loans being offered should be at preferential rates, with a minimum grant component.
This definition was agreed by DAC in In 1970, DAC agreed long-term objective of 0.7% of GNI.
In 2004 the UK signed up to this target, and as of March 2015 it is legally binding.

13. “Is it ODA?” Credibility? Does it meet DAC Directives?
Consistent with UK approach?
Consistent with international best practice?
Does it meet DAC Directives?

14. Does it meet the DAC Directives…
An official flow
ODA eligible country/ institution
Primary Purpose
Detailed directives

15. Updated every 3 years
Based on World Bank – GNI per capita
Anguilla and Saint Kitts & Nevis graduated
2017 – Antigua & Barbuda, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina & Venezuela will graduate if remain high-income countries.

16. Primary purpose test… Primary purpose – benefitting the UK
“”each transaction of which is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective”.
Primary purpose – benefitting the UK

17. Is it ODA? Temporary assistance to refugees from developing countries
Research into tropical diseases
Sponsoring athletes from developing countries travel costs
Training of police
Activities designed to combat terrorism
The supply of military equipment and services

18. What is ODA?
Temporary assistance to refugees from developing countries
Research into tropical diseases
Sponsoring athletes from developing countries travel costs
Training of civilian police.
Activities designed to combat terrorism
The supply of military equipment and services

19. Detailed directives Detailed Directives
“Research includes financing by the official sector, whether in the donor country or elsewhere, of research into the problems of developing countries.”
Detailed Directives
Directives also include references to:
In-donor / developing country based scholarships
training and research including language training
collaborative research between donor and recipient universities and organisations
development-oriented social and cultural programmes
ad hoc contributions such as conferences, seminars and workshops, exchange visits, publications, etc.

20. Where to find out more….

21. ODA eligibility process – Newton Fund
DFID Chief Statistician
Delivery Partner
Newton Fund/BIS Team
DFID ODA Team
OECD
If unable to answer
If unable to answer
Answer
Answer
Answer

22. Do you have any projects proposed at your university where you are not sure of the ODA eligibility?
Update on GCRF bigger picture and ODA reporting presentation and discussion to follow after lunch

23. ODA reporting
Detailed Directives

24. Setting the scene
Target of 0.7 % of UK GNI on ODA is set in law (March 2015)
UK aid strategy (November 2015)
ODA reporting and quality standards

25. OECD Data cycle drives DFID deadlines
OECD Deadline: mid-March
OECD Deadline: mid-July
Also in-year spend forecast requests, especially late in year for that year’s likely spend.

26. DFID data cycle December / January Mid-February October Mid-March
OECD Release final ODA data
Deadline for provisional ODA figures from UK Official Agencies
Provisional ODA return to OECD
UK National Statistics Publication
Deadline for final ODA figures from UK Official Agencies
Return to the OECD
Mid-February
October
Mid-March
Mid-July
April
Mid-May

27. ODA reporting process Delivery Partners Agency ODA Reporting Team
DFID ODA Reporting Team
OECD

28. ODA reporting – our requirements (1)
Interim reporting:
Report on how funds being used or allocated. Due by 1 August
Spend estimates on the grant (i) to 31 December and (ii) to 31 March Required by 14 November

29. ODA reporting – our requirements (2)
End of grant reporting:
ODA report by project on Excel template provided. Required by 31 March 2017 – further to follow
Financial expenditure statement (FES) required through Je-S following normal procedure. Due by 30 June 2017

30. Example – Identification data for final return
More detailed info on project
= BIS
Unique Identifier
Title

31. Example – Basic Data Date of transaction Aid Grant ODA
Project intervention
Previously reported activity
Health Sector: Infectious disease control
Policy Markers
Calendar year in which ODA is spent
Delivered through Uni / college / teaching institution

32. Amounts disbursed in Quarters – cash basis
Example – Volume data
Amounts disbursed in Quarters – cash basis

33. Record any amounts received
Example – Volume data
Record any amounts received

34. Example – Volume data Reporting on the tying status of aid
Current project budget