Sources for research funds

Each week this section will list funds available for academic researchers. Details should be submitted to research@thesis.co.uk

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council www.epsrc.ac.uk Multi-Project Research Equipment Proposals are invited for equipment that will underpin a range of research projects across a group, a department, or more widely. Researchers from UK universities and related institutions, including CLRC, are eligible to submit responsive mode proposals to EPSRC.

Proposals must contain research relevant to the objectives and remit of The EPSRC Programme 1998-99. Additional information on the component EPSRC programmes is also under the "Programmes' section of the website. Support may be requested to cover the capital cost of the equipment, the cost of installation and commissioning where this can be justified as unusually difficult or expensive, and the cost of essential staff support and running costs for a period of no more than three years.

Applications should be submitted on the EPSRC Research Proposal form EPS(eRP). Proposals should be clearly marked "Multi-Project Equipment" and should identify to which EPSRC programme(s) the proposed research is relevant.

Proposals may be submitted at any time.

For further information about this arrangement, please contact Lucy Miles, Science Delivery Team, EPSRC Tel: 01793 444360 or e-mail lucy.miles @epsrc.ac.uk.

The Wales Office of R&D for Health and Social Care http://dialspace.dial. pipex.com/word/ Social Care Research and Development Small Grant Scheme 99 Call for Small Grants for Social Care R&D. The programme is designed to provide information for the development of policies and services in relation to social care in Wales. The funding covers work which is broadly encompassed by the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 and the Children Act 1989. All projects must demonstrate how they will help to address the issue of social exclusion. Applications are sought from local authorities, academic institutions and social care agencies for small research studies and pilot projects that will be completed within one year with a maximum cost of Pounds 5,000. Proposals are now invited for this in the following broad theme areas that will provide evidence to policymakers, service planners, and practitioners on:

* identifying models of effective social care interventions;

* identifying effective structures for the provision of social care;

* identifying effective models of inter-agency working;

* identifying the needs of carers and effective responses to address those needs.

Each proposal will need to demonstrate collaborative arrangements between researchers and service providers. Funding is only available to cover research costs or the costs of the dissemination of research results and cannot be used to cover service delivery costs. Projects must also demonstrate the applicability of the results to the development of social care generally rather than specifically to one locality.

Deadline: June 11.

You should sendsix paper copies ofthe proposal to the office together with a copy on disk. Comments on the proposals will then be given to applicants.

Eppendorf Young Investigator Award Increased prize amount of e15,000.

The Eppendorf Young Investigator Award is donated annually to acknowledge outstanding contributions to biomedical research based on methods of molecular biology.

Young researchers residing in Europe who are not considerably older than 35 years, are invited to apply for the Eppendorf Award.

The prize is awarded by an independent jury composed of four renowned experts from the fields of:

* Molecular Biology (Prof. Winnacker, Munich, Germany)

* Immunology (Prof. Melchers, Basle, Switzerland)

* Protein Biochemistry (Prof. Lohse, Wurzburg, Germany)

* Applied Medical Research (Prof. Scriba, Munich, Germany) Applications consisting of a short curriculum vitae, a list of publications and the paper(s) to be evaluated should be submitted in English.

Deadline: June 30.

Eppendorf - Netheler - Hinz GmbH Dr. Gunter Bechtler, 22331 Hamburg, Germany. Tel: 00 49 40 5 38 01-291.Fax: 00 49 40 5 38 01 757.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) www.bbsrc.ac.uk Gene Technologies underpinning Healthcare Despite recent rapid advances in animal cell technologies, especially in nuclear transfer and gene expression studies, there remain major technical hurdles that need to be overcome in order to realise the full potential of these technologies and to facilitate their safe application in healthcare. BBSRC wishes to promote basic molecular and cellular studies underpinning research in the areas of gene therapy, recombinant protein production, xenograft technology, development of new models including cell line alternatives and tissue engineering. Applications demonstrating the widest possible collaborative approach to understanding of basic processes underpinning these technologies are sought in these areas:

* Gene expression

* Gene delivery and targeting

* Germline manipulation, including transgenesis and nuclear transfer

* Cellular therapies, including nuclear reprogramming, epigenetics and stem cell research This initiative is open to UK universities and colleges and academic analogues approved by BBSRC, and BBSRC-sponsored institutes. Wide collaboration between groups is particularly encouraged to support the aim of broadening the science base in this area. Applications must be submitted on the normal BBSRC application form. The form and guidance notes are on the web site. The length of the case for support must not exceed six pages. If the request is for more than one Research Assistant and/or greater than Pounds 600K, applicants should contact the Office for guidance. An objective of the initiative is to broaden the science base underpinning the technologies and therefore collaborative proposals which draw in new research partners are encouraged, particularly in areas where the current community is very small. The application should clearly indicate how the technology development underpins the strategic research in this area.

Deadline: June 1 Inquiries: Keith Iles, Science and Technology Group, BBSRC Office, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, SWINDON SN2 1UG. Tel: 01793 413226. Fax: 01793 413234. Email: keith. iles@bbsrc.ac.uk Scientific enquiries: Chris Thompson, at the same address. Tel: 01793 414667. Fax: 01793 413234. Email: chris.thompson @bbsrc.ac.uk Japanese Ministry Of Education (Monbusho) www.embjapan.org.uk Research Scholarships for 2000 The Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbusho), UK is offering 20 postgraduate research scholarships.

There are two categories: a two-year scholarship from April 2000 or an 18-month scholarship from October 2000 Graduates need not have any knowledge of Japanese.

Return airfare, tuition fees and a monthly allowance of about Pounds 925 are provided The term shall normally include six months for the study of Japanese language Study in Japan may be undertaken in almost any field Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of April 1, 2000 Deadline: August 6.

Applications must be made on forms provided available from the Embassy of Japan, 101-104 Piccadilly, London W1V 9FN. Tel: Susan Meehan 0171 465 6583 or Carolyn Gallop 0171 465 6592. UK nationals may only apply to London and other nationalities should apply to the Japanese Embassy of their own country.

The Times HigherJMAY 7J1999RESEARCH 40 Funding listings are compiled by Sarah Knowles0171 782 3225Email: sarah. knowles@ newsint.co.uk.