Each fortnight this section will list funds available for academic researchers. Details should be submitted to research@thesis.co.uk European Commission http://www.echo.lu/ iap/
Call for proposals to demonstrate content filtering and rating systems and to prepare awareness actions (OJ C 92/11 of 1.4.1999) The Action Plan on promoting safer use of the internet is a multi-annual community programme covering the period 1999 to 2002, under which several calls for proposals are envisaged. In the framework of the Action Plan, the European Commission invites proposals covering either of the following two areas: 1. The application of filtering and rating systems for internet content (demonstration projects) 2. To promote awareness of safe use of the internet (preparatory actions).
The objective of actions in the first area is to permit internet users (parents, teachers) who have a responsibility for other users (children or pupils) to decide what content they wish the persons for whom they are responsible to be able to access. To realise this goal proposals may be considered that give the user control over the use to which an internet connection is put. The demonstration projects should involve self-regulatory bodies, industry, user, consumer and citizens rights groups and government bodies involved in industry regulation and protection of minors.
The objectives of actions in the second area are to promote awareness actions directed at users, in particular children, parents and teachers, to allow them to use internet resources provided by industry safely and with confidence. They will stimulate use in the home and schools of internet services by reducing the cause for concern that may be felt by parents and teachers about the availability of illegal and harmful content. Awareness actions will contribute to the success of the first area by stimulating the application and take-up of filtering and rating systems to guide or control access to internet services.
This call for proposals is open to private or public entities, within the European Union. All projects must be transnational in scope and include co-operation between independent organisations established in different member states. Further information on this call and the conditions for submitting proposals may be obtained from the following address: Calls Central Office, European Commission DG XIII-E/5 L - 2920 Luxembourg.
Fax: (+352) 4301 38099.
Email: iap@cec.be. This documentation may also be obtained by accessing Web server I*M Europe at www.echo.lu/iap/ Proposals must be sent to the commission at the above address by registered post, or by courier service.
Deadline: July 2.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications Proposals are invited for research into the potential of modern artificial intelligence techniques to enhance the role of the management accountant. The institute is particularly interested in the extent to which, and how, the adoption of AI techniques can assist management accountants to carry out their current work and widen the scope of that work.
The expert systems (ES) component of AI methods has apparently had little impact on the work of management accountants. ES do not form a significant part of the management accounting toolkit and have not proved to be a viable way of capturing and delivering management accounting expertise throughout the organisation. Unsurprisingly perhaps, more modern developments in AI, such as neural networks and genetic algorithms, appear to have even less impact currently. The institute is interested in identifying actual and potential applications of these techniques.
Risk in Budgeting and Planning Proposals are invited for research in the area of the treatment of risk and uncertainty in business and industry. The institute is particularly interested in the treatment of risk and uncertainty in the budgeting and planning process. It is by no means clear that treating an uncertain situation as if it were risky is an appropriate management strategy. As always, the institute will give preference to research projects which emphasise the actual and potential roles of the management accountant.
The institute recognises that these areas of research can be approached from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. However, a key issue in the decision to fund a research proposal will be relevance and accessibility of research results to the management accounting community. Consequently, proposals from researchers or research teams that include, or have access to, management accounting expertise, are particularly sought.
Deadline: June 30.
The maximum funding for any individual project is Pounds 40,000. Application forms can be obtained from Kelly Bint, Administrator on 0171 917 9220 and any questions should be directed to Rebecca Broadhurst, Research and Development Manager on 0171 917 9262.
The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
www.daiwa-foundation.org.uk Daiwa Bursaries As a complement to their well established Daiwa Scholarships, the trustees have decided to offer up to three Daiwa Bursaries in 1999, to enable outstanding UK citizens, probably not less than 21 years old and normally not more than 35, with or without a knowledge of Japanese, to spend one year in Japan on work placement or research.
Bursary winners' programmes may take place in any region of Japan, and may be in any area of activity including:
* The professions (eg law, medicine, engineering, architecture)
* Postgraduate academic research
* Industry, commerce or finance
* The media
* Performing and creative arts.
Bursary winners will be free to request financial support towards the travel, living and research costs of their year in Japan, the exact amount to be determined on a case by case basis in the light of the programme and budget submitted to the foundation with their application. Applicants who already have some funding for their programme will be considered.
Applicants will be expected to combine high personal and intellectual qualities with potential or actual success in their chosen career or subject and a long term commitment to maintaining a Japanese dimension in their careers and lives. Applicants studying for a first degree will not be considered. Applications with full CV, the names of three referees and a detailed summary of the candidate's proposed programme and the budget for it must be submitted to: The Director General, Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, Daiwa Foundation Japan House, 13/14 Cornwall Terrace, London NW1 4QP.
Fax: 0171 486 2914.
Deadline: Tuesday June 1.
Cancer Research Campaign www.crc.org.uk Project Grants The CRC grants committee considers applications for three-year project grant funding. Applications are considered in any area of basic, translational or pre-clinical research and are judged on the basis of scientific excellence, innovation and relevance to cancer research. Applications for extensions or renewed periods of triennial funding are also considered by the CRC Grants Committee.
Deadline: June 21.
For further information and an application pack, please contact Dr Lynn Siney or Ms Sara Quirk e-mail: project@crc.org.uk The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) www.epsrc.ac.uk Second Call for Outline Proposals in Structural Integrity Programme objectives: to provide generic structural integrity methodologies through an integrated approach across disciplines, industrial sectors and life cycle stages. The initiative will be broad in scope to enable an effective multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach. This programme consists of wide ranging research/technical challenges and has deliberately avoided highlighting specific applications or projects. Applications for research grants, networks, overseas travel grants and visiting fellows will be admissible.
Structural Integrity (SI) assures the safe and economic management of engineering components and structures by developing and quantifying a fundamental understanding of degradation and failure processes. It is a key technology for a wide range of industrial sectors and draws on many disciplines across the engineering and materials fields.
Research will be encouraged to deliver solutions to the following challenges:
* Implementation of information technology
* Heterogeneous materials
* Design and manufacture for Structural Integrity
* Assessment Standard eligibility rules for managed programmes will apply as specified in the "Guide to EPSRC Research Grants", i.e. Universities and similar institutions, Research Councils' institutes, CLRC, Government Research Establishments, not-for-profit research organisations, other research organisations by agreement.
The first stage of the call is the submission of outline proposals.
Deadline: for outlines (original plus 10 copies) is June 21. Full proposals will be due by October 15.
The outline proposal form is available to download in Word for Windows v.6 format from the website or can be obtained directly from the EPSRC (contact Jenny Hall, details below) . Mrs Jenny Hall, EPSRC Engineering Programme, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Tel 01793 444101 Fax 01793 444009 Email j.hall@epsrc.ac.uk Wales Office of R&D for Health and Social Care http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/word/index. htm Health Research and Development Small Grant Scheme The Wales Office of R&D has an established Small Grant Scheme to support R&D in Wales. The scheme will fund small scale research projects and pilot projects. Applications for research under this scheme should generally be under the three areas listed below and in the Strategic Framework "Making a Difference". However, applications in other areas may be considered.
* Best Care for Patients - addressing the effectiveness of health care delivery;
* Sustainable Health and Well-being - covering issues around determinants of health;
* Accessing and Using Research - ensuring that the research findings, both positive and negative, are integrated into service planning and practice.
This scheme is intended to support health service research, but will also consider research at the health and social care interface. Applications are sought from individuals within NHS Wales as well as researchers from Higher Education Institutions. Researchers from outside NHS Wales must be able to demonstrate the relevance and benefit to Wales.
Application forms and guidance can be downloaded from the website or the Office at the address below.
Deadline: July 9, October 29.
Wales Office of R&D for Health and Social Care, 4th Floor, Hallinans House, 22 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF2 1DB Tel: (01222) 460015. Fax: (01222) 492046. Email: word@word.wales. nhs.uk The Charles A. And Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation www.mtn.org/lindfdtn/index.html Lindbergh Grants The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation provides grants of up to $10,580 to men and women whose individual initiative and work in a wide spectrum of disciplines furthers the Lindberghs' vision of a balance between the advance of technology and the preservation of the natural/human environment.
Lindbergh Grants are designed to provide seed money and are made in the following categories:
* agriculture;
* aviation/aerospace; n conservation of natural resources - including animals, plants, water, and general conservation (land, air, energy, etc.)
* education - including humanities/education, the arts, and intercultural communication
* exploration
* health - including biomedical research, health and population sciences, and adaptive technology; and waste minimization and management.
Deadline: June 15.
Refer to the website for further details, or contact: The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, 708 South 3rd Street, Suite 110, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415-1141, USA Tel: 612-338-1703. Fax: 612-338-6826. Email: lindfdtn@mtn.org
Funding listings are compiled by Sarah Knowles0171 782 3225Email: sarah. knowles@ newsint.co.uk.