Sources of research funding

Each week this section lists funds

available for academic researchers. Items for inclusion should be

submitted to research@thes.co.uk THE ROYAL

GEOGRAPHICAL

SOCIETY

www.rgs.org

Gilchrist Expedition Award

The award funds a small team of university academics and researchers undertaking an overseas field season of at least six weeks. There is one grant of Pounds 10,000 for the winning team. The majority of the team should be British and should comprise up to ten members. Most team members should hold established posts in university departments or equivalent research establishments within the UK, although the team may come from one or more establishment. Applicants must show links with the host country, preferably an official invitation or evidence of collaborative links with local agencies - involvement of local scientific members is encouraged. Official permission to undertake the work is essential. The research should be original and challenging, preferably of potential applied benefit to the host country or region

the expedition may be multi-disciplinary or devoted to a single scientific objective. Letters of support are required from two referees. There is no application form. Applications should include at least the following information:

a full description of the proposed research; a summary of its main purpose

details of all team members ; a brief bibliography; dates and precise location of proposed fieldwork; logistical outline and budget; details of links with the host country, including permissions; letters of support from two referees to be sent directly to the Society. Deadline: March 15. Queries about this award should be emailed to the Grants Manager at grants@rgs.org.

CALEDONIAN RESEARCH

FOUNDATION

www.calres.co.uk

Biomedical Research Fellowships

Applications are invited for CRF personal research fellowships and for CRF support research fellowships in the biological, biochemical, physical and clinical sciences related to medicine, tenable in a Scottish university or recognised research institution from October 2000.

Personal Research

Fellowships: three-year fellowships providing a salary within the Research & Analogous Staff scales, (normally 2 increments above current salary) plus annual grants for research support (up to Pounds 5,000), travel etc (Pounds 1,000). Applicants should normally be under 32 years of age and hold a PhD degree. Part-time option available, subject to conditions.

Support Research

Fellowships: one-year fellowships covering the cost of a replacement staff member on the Lecturer A scale, plus an additional grant for research support, travel etc. and enabling the fellow to pursue full-time research. Applicants should be under 40 years of age and have held an academic teaching appointment for at least five years in a Scottish university. Further information and application forms: Caledonian Research Foundation, 39 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3BH; tel: 0131 225 1200; fax: 0131 225 4412; email: crf@murraybeith.co.uk. Closing date: March 10.

ROYAL SOCIETY

www.royalsoc.ac.uk/

funding/index.html

2+2 Japan-UK

Fellowships

The Royal Society invites applications for a fellowship programme consisting of a four year package comprising two years' research in Japan followed by two years' research back in the UK (2+2). The programme is open to UK researchers and is run in association with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Science and Technology Agency (STA). The fellowships are aimed at young postdoctoral scientists to enable them to spend a significant period of research in Japan, which may be viewed as critical to their career development, and offer funding for two years on their return to the UK.

The fellowship in Japan is funded totally by the JSPS/STA. The fellowship in the UK is funded by the Royal Society. It is the responsibility of the applicant to choose both the Japan and UK institutes. The programme is flexible to allow 1+1 applications (one year in Japan plus one year back in the UK) if a candidate prefers. An award to go to Japan, without the return element, may also be applied for. For further details, call the International Exchanges Section on 020 7451 2557 or email japan@

royalsoc.ac.uk

Annual deadlines: March 20 and

September 20.

LEVERHULME TRUST

www.leverhulme.org.uk

Special Research

Fellowships

To provide opportunities for those with a proven record of research who do not hold or have not held a full-time established academic post in a UK university or comparable institution. Fellows will be expected to undertake a significant piece of publishable research during tenure of the award. The scheme is based on a "pound for pound" system: the Trust pays half of the fellow's salary costs and the host institution pays the other half. Approximately 20 fellowships offered annually. Fellowships can be held in universities or other higher education institutions in the UK. Applicants must secure agreement from their host institution to meet the funding requirements before applying.

Eligible fields: all fields.

Eligible duration: 24 months. Eligible costs: fellows to be paid on the national salary scale for academic staff based on age and experience. The Trust to contribute 50% of each fellow's total salary costs and the host institution to pay the other 50%. Deadline: March 15. Contact: (tel) 020 7822 6952.

ENGINEERING &

PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

www.epsrc.ac.uk

International

Collaboration

Recognising the global nature of research, EPSRC considers it essential for the maintenance of a healthy UK engineering base to support lasting links with international research communities. Opportunities already exist in responsive mode for individual visiting fellowships and overseas travel grants. In addition, Pounds 1 million of funding has been earmarked to promote more substantial collaborative group activities. Proposals in any area of engineering or cognate discipline are welcome, however priority areas have been identified - full details of these on the web. Proposals can be for continuing support of existing collaborations, however the forging of new relationships is particularly welcome. For general queries contact:

Dr Fiona Armstrong, Associate Programme Manager, Engineering Programmes, EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue,

Swindon SN2 1ET; email: fiona.armstrong@epsrc.ac.uk; tel: 01793 444164; fax: 01793 444187. Deadline:

June 30.

NHS EXECUTIVE NORTH WEST, RESEARCH

AND DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTORATE

www.open.gov.uk/doh/nwro/rddnwro.htm

Post-Doctoral

Fellowship

For people who already have a PhD to develop their R&D skills and management experience in Health Services R&D, either by managing an R&D project or by extending their expertise into new disciplines and/or methodologies. Application information and forms available to download online. Deadlines: April 30; November 30. Priority will be given to good quality applications from the following professions and organisations currently under-represented in R&D: Primary care; non-teaching hospitals; nursing and therapy professions; non-clinical researchers; public health practitioners. Further information available from: R&D Directorate, NHS Executive North West, 930-932 Birchwood Boulevard, Birchwood, Warrington WA3 7QN; telephone Helen Singleton on 01925 704242 or

Catherine Verrill on 01925 7048; email: Hsingleu@doh.gov.uk and cverrill@doh.gov.uk.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION http://spacescience.nasa.gov/nra/00-oss-03/

Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST)

Science Instrument Technology Development (SITD)

Nasa's Office of Space Science releases this research announcement

to solicit proposals for basic supporting research in the area of Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) mission-specific science instrument technologies and performance modelling. The primary goal of the NGST Science Instrument Technology

Development (SITD) program is to advance and mature technologies that enable or enhance potential NGST science instruments. The intention of the SITD programme is not to

provide hardware for specific instruments or technology development for aspects of NGST other than science instruments, but rather to enhance available technologies and

enable modelling studies for design of NGST science instruments that are expected to be solicited by Nasa in 2001. Participation in this programme is open to all categories of US and non-US organisations, including educational institutions

full details on the web, or contact: Dr. Anne Kinney, NGST Program Scientist, Research Program Management Division, Code S, Office of Space Science, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001, USA; tel: (202) 358-0369;

email: akinney@hq.nasa.gov. Notice of Intent deadline: April 7; proposal deadline: May 5.

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH COUNCIL

www.arc.org.uk

Project Grants

These grants are awarded to provide support for a project designed to seek an answer to a single question or small group of related questions. The ARC will consider support of clinical projects, relating to pathogenesis, diagnosis or treatment, as well as projects of a more fundamental scientific nature, provided that they offer promise of advancement in the understanding of the rheumatic diseases. Project grants are of limited duration, usually up to a maximum of three years, and may provide for the salary of graduate or technical assistance, running costs and the purchase of small items of essential equipment. Holders of ARC project grants are eligible to apply for travel awards either for themselves, or research staff employed on the project or working in their laboratory. Contact: Research Administrative Officer, Arthritis Research Campaign, Copeman House, St Mary's Court, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7TD; tel: 01246 541115; fax: 01246 558007. Next deadline: March .

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-00-002.html

Intervention Effectiveness Research in

Occupational Safety and Health

The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate research on the effectiveness of intervention techniques that have been implemented or proposed for reducing or preventing workplace injuries and illnesses. While many workplace interventions have been implemented, there has been little research on the effectiveness of these activities. Before work place intervention strategies can be universally applied, there is a critical need for information on the effectiveness of

the many strategies and approaches currently used or planned. The

results of these investigations will contribute significantly to improving worker health and safety by identifying intervention

strategies that are effective. Research applications are sought that focus on the systematic

evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions that address one of the following disease or injury areas: allergic and irritant dermatitis; asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; fertility and pregnancy abnormalities; hearing loss; infectious diseases; low back disorders; musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities; traumatic injuries. Letter of intent deadline: March 23. Application deadline: April 26.

Enquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Roy M. Fleming, Director, Research Grants Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Building 1, Room 3053, MS D-30 Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; fax: 404/639-4616 Email: rmf2@cdc.gov. Compiled by Sarah Knowles. A more

comprehensive version

of this service is available to subscribers on our Research microsite at www.thesis.co.uk