Sources for research funding

Each week this section lists funds available for academic researchers.

Items for inclusion should be submitted to research@thes.co.uk Compiled by Sarah Knowles. A more comprehensive version of this service is available on our Research microsite at www.thesis.co.uk.

BRITISH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH FOUNDATION

www.bohrf.org.uk

Invitation for

Proposals

The British Occupational Health Research Foundation, which provides a unique interface between employers and researchers for the sake of good health at work, continues to fund new studies with the emphasis firmly on practical and useable outcomes. The foundation invites proposals for new research capable of providing quantified evidence of improved productivity and performance from the practical use of alternative working methods; interventions; services and arrangements at work; Within this, proposals are expected to address issues such as motivation, prevention, mitigation of reduced performance, rehabilitation and return to work. Preference will be given to improvements that are sustainable. The research work should aim for a maximum duration (from outset to final report) of 18 months and be designed to provide clear responses to one or more of the issues highlighted on the BOHRF website, under the heading "Our Current Research Priorities".

Outline proposals, which should be no longer than one side of A4, are invited in the first instance. These should specify a title followed by hypotheses/aims/ objective/key assumptions/outline method/

key variables/validity of tools and other measures applied to key variables. Deadline: February 18. Contact: Michael Ladenburg, BOHRF c/o Whitbread, 52 Chiswell Street, London EC1Y 4SD; tel: 020 7615 1080; fax: 020 7615 1147; email: admin@bohrf.org.uk

HOME-GROWN CEREALS AUTHORITY

www.hgca.com

Research proposals for cereals

Research proposals addressing priority areas in the published strategies are welcome from research groups that can demonstrate a track record of high-quality R&D, appropriate facilities and awareness of industry challenges. Proposals for research projects and technology transfer projects are sought. The application forms can be downloaded from the website as a zip file containing both funding applications forms and a set of guidelines. Proposals are considered by each committee four or five a times year. Next deadline for receipt of proposals: February 25. To discuss ideas for research proposals contact: Dr Shona Campbell (email: shona.campbell@hgca.com) or Dr Roger Williams (email: roger.williams@hgca.com) or contact: Home-Grown Cereals Authority, Caledonia House, 223 Pentonville Road, London. N1 9HY; tel: 020 7520 3926; fax: 020 7520 3954.

MCDONNELL-PEW PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE

www.jsmf.org

McDonnell-Pew CNS Investigator-Initiated Grants 2000

The 2000 call for proposals is the final investigator-initiated grants competition for the McDonnell-Pew Program in Cognitive Neuroscience. The programme could award up to 28 grants in this final competition. Proposals submitted must explicitly describe how the proposed research fulfils the fundamental requirement of originality. The McDonnell-Pew Program particularly encourages research on higher cognitive functions including language, planning and problem-solving. The cognitive question to be studied and the neuroscientific methods to be applied must be clearly described in the research proposal. The awards provide a maximum of $50,000 per year for up to three years. Grants can support research and/or training. An individual cannot receive support from more than one McDonnell-Pew investigator-initiated grant at a time. Grants are intended to support novel or pilot research and are, therefore, non-renewable. There are no US citizenship restrictions or requirements, nor must the proposed work be conducted at a US institution, providing that the sponsoring organisation qualifies as tax-exempt under IRS guidelines.

Investigator-initiated grants are intended to support research projects. Funds cannot be used to support dissertation research, workshops or conferences.

See the website for full proposal guidelines. Deadline: February 25. Contact: Susan M. Fitzpatrick, PhD, James S. McDonnell Foundation,

1034 South Brentwood, Blvd., Suite 1850, St. Louis, Missouri 63117;

Email: cns@jsmf.org.

ENTENTE CORDIALE SCHOLARSHIPS

www.francealacarte.org.uk/entente/

A scholarship scheme for outstanding British and French postgraduate arts, humanities and science students who wish to study or undertake research for a year across the Channel.

There are no restrictions regarding areas of study or research. UK candidates should only apply to French-run institutions of higher education or research. The scholarship is awarded for one academic year. In 1999/ 2000 students in Paris are awarded FrF9,000 to cover arrival and departure costs and the purchase of books, plus between FrF5,500 and FrF6,875 per month. Students outside Paris are awarded 10,000FF to cover arrival and departure costs and the purchase of books, plus between FrF5,000 and FrF6,5 per month. Registration and tuition fees are paid by the Entente Cordiale Scholarship fund (maximum FrF80,000). The award is paid in three three-monthly instalments. It is up to the candidates to apply to the institutions of their choice. Candidates are encouraged to make contact with their chosen institutions before they send in their application forms. Candidates fill in an application form which must be returned to the Cultural Department of the French Embassy. Contact: Entente Cordiale Scholarships, French Cultural Department, 23 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2EL; tel: 020 7838 2055; fax: 020 7838 2088; email: entente.cordiale@ambafrance.org.uk

Deadline: February 28.

EUROPEAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL

www.cefic.be/lri

/rfp/rfp.asp

Request for Proposals

The CEFIC is funding basic research into health and environmental effects of chemicals. One of the governing principles of the Long-range Research Initiative (LRI) is that research will be carried out by internationally recognised, independent research experts. A science panel consisting of experts from academia and research institutes will oversee the programme. ECETOC, the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, will manage the programme for CEFIC. Research results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and communicated widely via workshops, open literature and internet. CEFIC therefore invites grant applications from research institutes in the areas of: marine risk assessment and ecosystem dynamics; environmental exposure modelling; human exposure and tiered risk assessment; respiratory toxicology and immunotoxicology. Project specifications including budget details and an application form can be found on the website. Deadline for receipt of proposals in the three first areas mentioned above is February 15. For respiratory toxicity proposals, the deadline is March 8. Only proposals on an official CEFIC-LRI application form, and that fit the published project specifications, will be taken into consideration. These should be sent electronically to rta@cefic.be; Dr. Rob Taalman, CEFIC-LRI, Avenue E. van Nieuwenhuyse 4, Bte 2, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium; tel: 32 2 676 73 28.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

ADMINISTRATION

Research Opportunities in Space Life Sciences: Advanced Human Support

Technology

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) life sciences division solicits proposals for research investigations in support of research opportunities in space life sciences. This announcement is specific to the advanced human support technology (AHST) programme within the life sciences division and solicits proposals for the following areas: advanced environmental monitoring and control; advanced life support; space human factors engineering; advanced extravehicular activity. Proposals requested by this announcement may be for ground-based research investigations, and limited types of space-flight experiments designed for the Shuttle

middeck or for the International Space Station prior to assembly completion. This solicitation is open to US and non-US proposers in all categories of governmental and private sector organisations, agencies, and institutions. It will be open until April 18; proposals may be submitted at any time throughout the period. This solicitation will be available at http:// peer1.idi.usra.edu.

INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SCIENCE FOUNDATION

www.iisf.or.jp/

contents-en.html

Visiting Researcher Support Program

The International Information Science Foundation (IISF) in Japan supports the travel expenses of outstanding young computer scientists who wish to visit Japan for research purposes. Activities supported by IISF: presentation at an international conference on computing science held in Japan; conducting research at a Japanese university or research institute. The applicant should be a scientist doing fundamental research in computer science at a university or research institute (including graduate studies).

The applicant must be a citizen of a country other than Japan, and should be at most 40 years old. If presenting at an international conference, the paper must have been accepted before applying to IISF. If visiting a university or research institute, the application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation (invitation) from a host researcher at that university or institute. Obtaining such an invitation is the responsibility of the applicant, not of IISF. Applicants whose research field falls under the general heading of information or computer science will be considered. The amount of support is fixed, and is based strictly upon the location of the applicant's own university or institute. It is determined by taking into account the cost of the economy airfare along the shortest route between the point of departure and Japan, and living expenses for about one week. All correspondence with IISF should be by email, fax or letter. Applications made while in Japan will not be accepted. Applications should be received by IISF according to the following two deadlines: February 29; June 30.

Contact: International Information Science Foundation, Kuyo Bldg. 903, 5-10-5 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Japan; email: iisf@iisf.or.jp; fax: +81-3- 5466-1762.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL

www.nerc.ac.uk

Global Nitrogen Enrichment (GANE) - Announcement of Opportunity for Research Proposals

The Natural Environment Research Council carries out fundamental and applied research into the science of the natural environment. GANE is a thematic research programme which aims to address the UK interest in the global phenomenon of nitrogen enrichment of soils, vegetation, freshwaters, coastal oceans and the atmosphere. Researchers are now invited to submit applications in a number of priority areas, details of which can be found on www.nerc.ac.uk /science/gane/gane2info.htm. UK researchers are invited to submit a) concept notes outlining a proposed research project; b) small grant proposals; c) studentship applications; d) suggestions for workshops. Applicants should look for further information on the definition of these priority areas, the timetable for assessment, general requirements and application forms at http:// www.nerc.ac.uk/science/gane/gane2info.htm. Or contact Dr AM McFarlane, NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU; tel: 01793 411777; email: ammcf@nerc.ac.uk. Deadline: March 17.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY/EPSRC

www.epsrc.ac.uk

Research Chairs in Analytical Science

The Royal Society of Chemistry Analytical Division (RSC/AD) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council jointly announce an initiative to enhance the research base in analytical science in UK universities. Applications are invited from UK universities and similar institutions eligible to hold EPSRC research grants for funds to establish research chairs in analytical science. Two chairs are to be established, to be filled by individuals with interests in any aspect of analytical science. Bids are invited from institutions wishing to consolidate existing activity or from those seeking to become established in analytical research. Proposals should indicate how the appointment would integrate analytical science into the research and teaching activities of the institution, placing emphasis on the interfaces with other disciplines and with the needs of the users of analytical techniques. The RSC/AD and EPSRC will jointly fund up to half of the salary costs of each chair for five years. Institutions wishing to apply may provide the balance of the funding in any way they choose but will need to provide evidence within the application that the full funding package will be put in place. Collaborations with industrial partners will be particularly welcome. In addition to salary costs the successful applicants will receive support funding of Pounds 100,000 from EPSRC at the beginning of the appointment, plus an earmarked CASE studentship in each of the first three years of the chair. Outline applications should reach EPSRC no later than March 31. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr David Ferguson at the RSC (Tel: 0171 440 33; email: fergusond@rsc.org) or Dr Sue Smart at the EPSRC (Tel: 01793 444423; email: sue.smart@epsrc.ac.uk) for

further information.

UKCOSA: COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

www.ukcosa.org.uk

Small Grants Scheme Ukcosa is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting educational mobility and providing support to international students and the professionals who work with them. Grants are available for up to Pounds 1,000 per project. Up to six awards will be offered. Aims of the awards are to encourage research and practical applications developed from research into the experience of international students in the UK, UK students studying abroad or the international dimension of UK further and higher education: to encourage dialogue and collaboration between researchers and practitioners working in this area; and to ensure that research findings inform policy and practice by the dissemination of results to the membership of Ukcosa and other relevant constituencies. Conditions of eligibility: The project must focus on international students in the UK, UK students studying abroad or the international dimension of UK further or higher education. Projects primarily concerned with comparative education are not eligible. The work must normally be completed within 12 months. Projects concerned with international student support are particularly welcome. The results must be of benefit, and disseminated in a form accessible to Ukcosa's members. Applicants will normally be staff working with international students in the UK or with UK students studying abroad, or working to internationalise UK further or higher education.

Application forms and further details can be downloaded as a Word 6 file from the website; or contact: Sandra O'Halloran, Services & Research Officer UKCOSA: The Council for International Education, 9-17 St Albans Place, London N1 0NX; fax: 020 7226 3373; tel: 020 7226 3762; email: sandra@ ukcosa.org.uk

Deadline: March 31.

National Institutes of Health

http:// grants.nih.gov/

Novel Approaches

to Enhance Stem

Cell Research

The purpose of this programme announcement is to encourage the submission of applications for research to enhance stem cells as a model biological system.

Research to isolate, characterise and identify totipotent and multipotent stem cells from nonhuman biomedical research animal models, as well as to generate reagents and techniques to characterise and separate those stem cells from other cell types is encouraged. Innovative approaches to the problems of making

multipotent stem cells available from a variety of non-human sources, and to creating reagents that will identify those stem cells across species and allow for separation of multipotent stem cells from differentiated cell types are also stressed. Eligible institutions include US and non-US for-profit and non-profit organisations, public and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories. Application kits may be obtained from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892 -7910, USA; tel: 301-435-0714; email:

grantsinfo@nih.gov. Forms are online at

http:// grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/ forms_toc.html. Inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Jill L. Carrington, Comparative Medicine National Center for Research Resources, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Room 6164, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; tel: (301) 435 0744; fax: (301) 480 3659; email: jillc@ncrr.nih.gov.

Deadline: February 1.

TRONDHEIM MARINE SYSTEMS RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

www.ntnu.no/trondheim-marine-RI/

The European Community's Framework 5 research programme has made funds available to support European research teams to pay short visits to the Trondheim Marine Systems Research Infrastructure. The aim of the programme is to sponsor new opportunities for transnational access to major research infrastructures of EC-wide interest. This contract is the successor of the Trondheim Marine Systems Large-Scale Facility project and during the first four months (until the end of April), there will be an overlap of the two existing projects. For details, refer to the website, or email: lsf@vm.ntnu.no. Next deadline:

February 15.