Sources of research funding

Each week this section lists funds available for researchers. Items for inclusion should be submitted to research@thes.co.uk

ANGLO-GERMAN SOCIETY

www.agf.org.uk

Research projects The research projects and events supported by the Anglo-German Foundation are usually comparative in nature and carried out or organised jointly by teams in Britain and Germany who submit a single application. The foundation considers applications for funding for research projects, seminars, workshops and conferences on any issue relevant to the beneficial development of industrial society. At present, the following areas are of special but not exclusive interest: employment and unemployment; public spending and taxation; the future of the welfare state; adjustment to European and global change the environment. The foundation awards Pounds 500,000 - Pounds 600,000 a year in new grants for collaborative projects of all sizes, from smaller seminars and larger conferences to research projects running up to a maximum of two years.

Major grants: up to Pounds 50,000. Applications for large grants have to be submitted to the foundation's board of trustees. Next deadline: July 31. Applications for amounts in excess of Pounds 50,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances. In the first instance, contact projects director, Dr Ray Cunningham, with a brief proposal outline. Anglo-German Foundation, 17 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2LP; email: info@agf.org.uk; fax: 020 7405 2071; tel: 020 7404 3137.

EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY ORGANISATION

www.embo.org

Long Term Fellowships

The aim of the EMBO is to promote molecular biology studies in Europe. Long-term exchange fellowships are awarded for prolonged visits (4 to 24 months) and are particularly intended for advanced training through research.

Applicants must hold a doctorate degree or equivalent before the start of the fellowship but not necessarily when applying. As a minimum, applicants must have at least one first author publication in press or published in an international peer reviewed journal at the time of application. Candidates can only submit applications for one project at one host laboratory at each round of selection. The long-term fellowships are aimed to support those who have recently completed their PhD. Normally this means young scientists with up to approximately, four years postdoctoral experience. Documentation available online, or contact: EMBO, Postfach 1022.40, D-69012 Heidelberg, Germany; tel: ++49 6221 383031; fax: ++49 6221 384879; email: EMBO@EMBL-Heidelberg.de. Next deadline: August 15.

VOLKSWAGEN FOUNDATION

www.volkswagen-stiftung.de

Physics, Chemistry and Biology with Single Molecules

Within the scope of this priority area, the f oundation addresses scientists who investigate single molecules as individual entities in their nanoscale environments or who intend to develop new methods for the characterisation and manipulation of single molecules. The priority area aims primarily at revealing phenomena which are specific to single molecules, thereby creating the scientific basis for applications, eg in nanotechnology. The molecular objects suitable for consideration include biologically relevant macromolecules as well as organic and inorganic molecules synthesis ed to clarify the properties of interest. The characterisation and manipulation of single molecules can pertain to mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical or biological properties.

Research projects may be supported by grants for personnel and non-personnel expenses as well as travel expenses. Joint projects from the various aforementioned disciplines of physics, chemistry and biology as well as coordinated experimental and theoretical projects shall receive preferential consideration. In principle, applications receive equal consideration whether they are from abroad or from German institutions. However, the foundation does expect cooperation with German scientists or institutes. Deadline: October 31. Further information on the web or from the office of the Volkswagen Foundation: Dr Ulrike Bischler, phone +49-511-8381-350; email: bischler@ volkswagenstiftung.de.

BRITISH COUNCIL,GERMANY

www.britcoun.de/e/science/arc/index.htm

British-German Academic Research Programme

The ARC Programme was established to facilitate collaborative links between research groups at publicly funded institutions in the UK and Germany. The programme is open to all disciplines. Grants are offered as contributions towards international travel and living costs only. For further information contact: The British Council, Science and Public Affairs, Hahnenstra'e 6 50667 Koln, Germany; tel: 0049 221 20644 22/30; fax: 0049 221 20644 55; email: bc.cologne@ britcoun.de.

INSTITUTE OFELECTRICAL ENGINEERS

www.iee.org.uk/Awards/pgschol.htm

IEE Postgraduate Scholarships or Grants The Institution of Electrical Engineers offers three IEE postgraduate scholarships or grants to assist postgraduates with advance study or research in electrical, electronic science or manufacturing engineering at a university in the UK. The awards are worth a maximum of Pounds 1,200 and are tenable for, one year. The scholarships and grants are open to students whose qualifications fulfil the educational requirements for corporate membership of the institution before the application is submitted. Next deadline: August 4. For further details and an application form contact: Scholarships and Prizes, IEE, Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL; tel: 020 7240 1871 ext. 2211/2235; fax: 020 7497 3609; email: scholarships@iee.org.uk NHS SERVICE DELIVERY AND ORGANISATION (SDO) R & D PROGRAMME

www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk

calls.htm

Eliciting and assessing users' views on the processes of health care

The NCCSDO along with the NHS Methodology R&D Group invites proposals to provide a methodological scoping exercise on eliciting and assessing users' views on the processes of health care. The key research question to be addressed is: how can users' views on the processes of health care be elicited and assessed? The output from the project will be a short report which describes the various methods used in assessing users' views and what is known about each of them. Further details and information packs are available by contacting: Donna Cox, commissioning manager, NCCSDO, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 99 Gower Street, London WC1E 6AZ; tel: 020 7612 7986; email: donna.cox@lshtm.ac.uk.

Deadline: August 4. Proposals should cost no more than Pounds 30,000.

EPSRC/DTI

www.osda.org.uk

Optical Systems for the Digital Age Programme

This Link programme encourages companies to access and adapt the results of the UK academic research base in optical systems, with the aim of exploiting new advances in products that will earn wealth for the UK. The programme aims to support collaboration between industry and academia on systems-led projects involving the application of optical techniques and devices, and to promote the novel use of such technologies in a wide variety of sectors.

Research is concentrated in the following areas: optical communications; imaging and sensor networks; compact, high efficiency laser systems; optics in computer systems and displays. Details on the web. Outline proposal deadline: September 14. Contact: Programme Coordinator, Steve Gratze, SPG Enterprises, The Cottage, Broad Green, Colchester, Essex CO6 1RU; tel: 01376 563962; email: sgratze@uk. packardbell.org.

Compiled by Sarah Knowles. A more comprehensive version of this service is available to subscribers on our research microsite at www.thesis.co.uk