Sources of research funding

Each week this section lists funds available to academic researchers.

Items for inclusion should be submitted to: research@thes.co.uk

NUFFIELD FOUNDATION

www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Oliver Bird Fund

The Oliver Bird Fund makes grants to support research into the basic causes and processes of rheumatic disease. Preference is given to younger researchers. The fund has an annual income of around Pounds 450,000 and eight grants were made in 2000. Deadline: November 1. For information sheets, guidance notes for applicants, conditions of award and a summary form, which must accompany an application, either ring 020 7580 7434 to leave a message on a 24-hour answerphone quoting reference "OBF", or download from the website. Contact Vicki Hughes for information; The Nuffield Foundation, 28 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3EG; tel: 020 7631 0566; fax: 020 7323 4877.

WELLCOME TRUST

www.wellcome.ac.uk

Integrative Animal and Human Physiology

The Wellcome Trust has launched a new initiative for the development of UK research capacity and training in integrative physiology in animals and humans. The initiative will support research aiming to interpret genomic information in terms of phenotype at the organ, system (including the nervous system), and whole-animal/human level, leading to an increased understanding of the pathophysiology of disease. The major focus will be on the establishment of a critical mass of basic and clinical scientists in this area within the UK and Ireland. Preliminary application deadline: October 31. Full details on the web, or email: ppp@wellcome.ac.uk; tel: 020 7611 7247.

INSTITUTE FOR ELECTRICALENGINEERS

www.iee.org.uk

Postgraduate Scholarshipsor Grants

The IEE offers three 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. They are open to students whose qualifications have been accepted by the institution as fulfilling the requirements for corporate membership before the application is submitted. Most engineering postgraduate students are provided for by grants made by the EPSRC. It is not the intention to supplement any such grant, but a scholarship may be given to a candidate who can show that there is some special circumstance that causes hardship. Next deadline: October. 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 BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY

www.demon.co.uk/bes

Small Ecological Project Grants

SEPGs are given to promote all aspects of ecological research and ecological survey. The grant has been extended to enable ecologists to travel from the UK or Ireland to a third country, or vice versa, for the purposes of research where alternative sources of funding are inadequate. The public affairs committee is keen to support small pilot projects, in which cases the grants are viewed as pump priming. Value of the award: up to Pounds 1,000 for travel and up to Pounds 1,000 for other costs. Contact: British Ecological Society, 26 Blades Court, Deodar Road, London SW15 2NU; tel: 020 8871 9797; fax: 020 8871 9779; email: general@ecology.demon.co.uk.Next deadline: October 1.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

www.maff.gov.uk/research/publications

Organophosphates

This is an invitation to submit concept notes that address one, or more, of the strategic research questions set out below. At this stage, submissions can be limited to an explanation of how strategic research questions are proposed to be addressed, including working methods, personnel and a broad indication of costs. It would also be helpful if those submitting concept notes could give some estimate of the chances of producing results. Those who put in the most promising submissions will be invited to present more comprehensive research proposals by a closed tendering procedure. The strategic questions are: How common is dipper's flu and what causes it?

Does low-level exposure to OPs cause disabling neurological or psychiatric disease in a small sub-group of exposed persons?

Other than acetylcholinesterase inhibition, what mechanisms play an important role in the causation of adverse health effects by OPs?

What are the effects of low level exposure to OPs on children exposed directly or in the womb?

Further details can be obtained from: OP RRD, Area 806, Chief Scientist's Group, MAFF, 1A Page Street, London SW1A 4PQ; tel: 0207 904 6705; fax: 0207 904 6715 and from the MAFF website. Concept notes deadline:September 15.

NY-ALESUND INTERNATIONALARCTIC FACILITY

www.npolar.no/nyaa-lsf/

Large-Scale Facilities Programme

Under the EC's Access to Research Infrastructures initiative, access is provided for European researchers to the Ny-lesund International Arctic Environmental Research and Monitoring Facility in Svalbard, Norway. Interested scientists are invited to conduct environmental Arctic research at the Ny-Alesund-SF research installations and are encouraged to submit project proposals. Access will be provided free of charge to the new users and user groups given access to the facility under this contract and will include all infrastructural, logistical, technical and scientific support that is normally provided to external users. The grants are restricted to cover travel and subsistence costs only for field campaigns or laboratory work of up to two months duration, or shorter visits involving the installation of well automated instruments for 3-12 months operation on the ground or at the station observation platforms. Deadline: October 1. See the web or contact: Ny-lesund LSF Secretariat, Norwegian Polar Institute Svalbard, PO Box 505, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway; fax: +47 79 02 26 04; email:nyaa-lsf@npolar.no.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENTRESEARCH COUNCIL

www.nerc.ac.uk

Marine & Freshwater Microbial Biodiversity: call for proposals Following an initial competition for marine projects, around Pounds 2 million is now available for freshwater proposals, and for studies that compare freshwater and marine systems. Emphasis will be given to the following topics: culturability; community structure; biogeochemistry; role of viruses; and cell signalling. Deadline: September 18. Prospective applicants are required to complete a downloadable outline bid form. Contact: programme administrator: Dr Anne McFarlane, NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU; ammcf@nerc.ac.uk; tel: 01793 411777; fax: 01793 411502.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

www.arts.cornell.edu/sochum/html/societyinfo.html

Society for the Humanities

The Society for the Humanities expects to appoint six to ten fellows for the 2001/2002 academic year. Each fellow will receive $32,000 for the year. Fellows spend most of their time at Cornell in research and writing but are encouraged to offer an informal seminar related to their research. 2001/2002 focal theme: Diaspora and the Critical Imagination. Fellows should be working on topics related to the year's theme. Their approach to the humanities should be broad enough to appeal to students and scholars in several humanistic disciplines. Applicants must have completed their PhD by the time of their application. They must have one or more years of teaching experience, which may include teaching as a graduate student. Candidates apply by printing and returning the online application form. Deadline: October 21. Contact Lisa Patti, program administrator; email: humctr-mailbox@cornell.edu.

BRITISH COUNCIL, ITALY

British-Italian Joint Research Programme 2000-2001

The British Council in Italy invites proposals to promote the development of British-Italian scientific cooperation between universities and public sector research institutes. The scheme provides a contribution towards travel and living expenses. A key objective is to establish long term collaborative links between institutions and individuals, so preference will be given to projects encouraging the exchange of younger researchers. Applications are invited in the following fields: changing the European demographic profile: key social and economic issues such as the implications of an ageing population; the changing labour market and the changing nature of work; food safety and preservation; the efficient management and use of natural resources. Distance learning: projects should encompass research, pilot projects, evaluation, service development, promotion and programme implementation. Deadline: October 31. Guidance notes and application forms can be obtained from the British Council web site. Further information: claudia.criscuolo@ britishcouncil.it