1. Writing international research proposals and securing research funding Professor Steven Mithen Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading UK

2. Who am I? Steven Mithen, BA, MSc, PhD, FBA Pro-Vice Chancellor for International and External Engagement since 2010 Dean of the Faculty of Science 2008-2010 Head of the School of Human & Environmental Sciences, 2003-2008 Professor of Archaeology PI on major research grants from AHRC, NERC, Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, EU Been assessor for many grant awarding bodies and schemes

3. University of Reading UK university in world top 200 University in THE rankings Annual income of £225 million 20th in UK for research council grants awarded One third of research income from industry Research excellence in Humanities, Social Science, Life Sciences and Science Particular strengths in climate change, agriculture, construction, environmental science, business, biodiversity Teaching and research partnerships throughout the world

4. University of Reading Wishes to expand its teaching partnerships and research collaborations throughout SE Asia Establishing a campus in Malaysia, to initially teach Business, Law, Construction, English Language and Pharmacy and related subjects A delegation visiting Vietnam in February 2012 Has appropriate subject mix to develop research collaborations with Indonesian Universities and to support capacity building in research

5. My presentation 1.Sources of funding in the UK that might support research collaborations with Indonesian Universities 2.Comments on how to prepare successful proposals 3.University of Reading case studies

6. 1. Sources of research funding

7. UK Research Councils 7 UK Research Councils spanning all disciplines Economic and Social Science Research Council (ESRC) allows international co-investigators on all schemes For other RCs, Indonesian Universities can be collaborators, partners, sub-contractors MRC allow co-investigators with specific approval All RCs now have more schemes with international focus and participation. Recent examples - BBSRC/DFID; EPSRC/Brazil; NERC/ESPA; ESRC/Hong Kong Bilateral Most RCs have international exchange schemes to make and establish new contacts e.g. BBSRC international scientific interchange scheme

8. UK Charities Leverhulme Trust –International networks – for a PI based in the UK to lead a research project where its successful completion is dependant on the participation of relevant overseas institutions –Study Abroad fellowships and studentships - designed to support a period overseas in a stimulating academic environment Wellcome Trust –Public health and tropical medicine fellowships - support specifically for researchers in low- and middle-income countries. Schemes ranging from Master’s to Senior –Global health trials scheme - funding late-stage trials of interventions that will help improve health in low- and middle- income countries

9. UK academic societies and other Royal Society –International Exchanges Scheme - for scientists in the UK who want to undertake a collaboration with scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel. Can use to build up a relationship. Up to £12,000 for 2 year project. British Academy –Small grants – can apply for up to £6000 to support visits by overseas scholars to the UK to undertake a programme of work –International Partnership Scheme – can apply for up to £10,000 p.a. for 3 years, to involve capacity building and exchange of expertise British Council –UK India Education and Research initiative (UKIERI) – supports joint projects between UK and India

10. UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) –Funds research into international development which directly improves people’s lives –Research in the following areas: Agriculture Climate and Environment Human Development, including Health and Education Growth Governance, Conflict and Social Development –Main programme focus is on Africa, India and Afghanistan but DFID do fund work in Asia – and have funded various projects in Indonesia

11. UK Government Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) –Darwin Initiative –Assists countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources to meet their objectives under one or more of the three major biodiversity conventions through the funding of collaborative projects which draw on UK biodiversity expertise –Provides funding for UK and overseas partners to undertake joint research projects for up to 3 years.

12. European Framework Programme EU framework programme – FP7 – funding research across the EU and beyond from 2007 to 2013 Funds available during FP7 are over €50 Billion Any country in the world can participate (but generally have to be led by Member State or Associated Countries) –Many can receive funding apart from highly industrialised countries –Low to middle income countries are international co-operation partners countries (ICPCs) and can receive funding in the same way as MS or AC

13. FP7 Specific Programmes Co-operation – Collaborative Research €32bn Ideas - European Research Council €7.5bn People - Marie Curie Actions €4.7bn Capacities – Research Capacity €4bn

14. FP7 schemes Co-operation programme –For collaborative research– grants support teams of researchers –Have to have min. of 3 partners from MS or AC –EU issues annual calls for proposals for specific topics within 10 thematic areas –Many topics have international dimension, not just EU focussed –Grants from €1.5M to €9M European Research Council (ERC) –Schemes designed to support excellent individual researchers –Topic of applicants choosing –Starting grants (2-12 years post PhD) and advanced grants –Any nationality can apply but grants to be hosted in a MS or AC

15. FP7 schemes Marie Curie –Key feature of the programme is mobility - all fellows funded under the programme will be expected to undertake mobility from one country to another –Number of fellowship and other schemes to support individuals moving across the EU (and beyond) for training –International incoming fellowships schemes to bring researchers from third country to a MS or AC. Can have return phase to some countries to bring back knowledge to originating country –Other schemes such as Initial Training Networks (ITNs) and IRSES (international research staff exchange scheme) for training of researchers in consortia of research organisations

16. International charities and other Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation –2 main international programmes - Global Development Global Health –Make awards (often very large) to any tax-exempt organisations in response to applications for funding Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) –Funds novel and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms –Grant schemes for collaborative teams of researchers from anywhere in the world (led by HFSP country e.g UK) –Also fund fellowships – fellows can come from any country but has to work in HFSP country

17. 2. Preparing proposals

18. Have a good idea! Address the key global challenges: Climate Change Biodiversity Food Security Health Energy Poverty alleviation

19. Have the right partners World class research projects extend beyond the limits of single institutions Select partners that provide the required expertise and have track record of funding – both individual academics and institutions Research collaborations require nurturing to build understanding and confidence Agree about outcomes, such as co-authorship of key publications, in advance

20. Identify the most appropriate funding body Attend to the mission statement of the funding body Identify the most appropriate scheme within the funding body Explore the types of projects that have recently been funded Informally discuss your project with the funding body prior to preparing an application Pay meticulous attention to the requirements of the funding scheme

21. Get the inside track Read the sponsors strategy Speak to members of staff at funding agencies Make use of staff at your university who have worked with the sponsor Network with peer group at conferences Attend sponsor meetings – network with those with influence

22. Be honest and realistic Do not exaggerate what can be achieved within the requested resource and time period Ensure you have the appropriate level of expertise, technical support and all facilities Be meticulous about the costing – justify every cost Do not be too ambitious too early in your career: building a track record of successful project completion is essential

23. Take your time Research applications need to be meticulously prepared and carefully written Allow sufficient time to consult with your partners Allow sufficient time for the administration of your applications within partner institutions Draw on the support from your institution: finance, HR, senior academics Undertake your own internal peer review of applications

24. Measurable outcomes Who will benefit from the research? Contributions to knowledge o Networks o Publication Impact o Economic o Societal o Policy o Public engagement

25. If funded, then keep to the plan Undertake the research Inform the funding body should you need to make amendments to your project plan Deliver the outputs Publish Building a track record is essential

26. 3. University of Reading case studies

27. University of Reading case Study : Legume PLUS FP7 Marie Curie Initial training network, UoR is lead. 4 year project entitled “Optimising plant polyphenols in legumes for ruminant nutrition plus health plus environmental sustainability” Aim is to enable integrated multidisciplinary and intersectoral research training to address the topic Will train 14 PhD students and 2 fellows 10 partners – 8 Universities/Research orgs and 2 companies from across Europe (inc. UK, France, Switzerland, Denmark) Value of grant is 4.1Million Euros

28. University of Reading case study: EATWELL FP7 Co-operation programme, UoR is lead 4 year grant entitled “Interventions to promote healthy eating habits: evaluation and recommendations” Aims to gather data on healthy eating interventions, research which are most acceptable and to recommend most appropriate interventions for the EU 9 EU organisations involved – 5 Universities/research orgs, 1 multinational company, 2 policy and communication bodies Value of grant is 2.51 Millions Euros

29. University of Reading case study: ETIS Defra Darwin initiative grant 3 year project entitled “Enhancing the Elephant Trade Information System to guide CITES policy” Aim is the enhancement of a global monitoring system which records the illicit trade in ivory UoR is the lead organisation and project partner is an NGO in East/Southern Africa UoR provided specific expertise in statistics and programming for the database, partner provided in country training and implementation

30. University of Reading case study: UKIERI UoR is lead organisation with 4 Indian organisations and 3 UK meteorological organisation (inc Met Office) 4 year collaborative research programme entitled “Science of regional climate change, variability and impacts” Aims is to accelerate the development in India of a world class capability in predicting regional climate variability and change via a joint programme of research Involves many visits between all of the partners to work on the research and aid knowledge exchange

31. Finally … There are many opportunities and enormous willingness from the UK to build research links with Indonesia Find the right partner – institution and academic University of Reading is keen to engage in research collaboration with universities in Indonesia University of Reading research packs available Contacts: s.j.mithen@reading.ac.uk