Sources of research funding

Each week we list funds available for researchers.Items for inclusion should be submitted to research@thes.co.uk

ALCOHOL EDUCATIONAND RESEARCH COUNCIL www.aerc.org.uk Research and Action Project Grants This fund finances projects within the UK for education and research and for novel forms of help to those with drinking problems. The council seeks to increase awareness of alcohol issues and facilitate a reduction in alcohol-related harm in society. Copies of application forms and the relevant guidelines can be downloaded from the web. Further information can be obtained by contacting the council secretariat at info@aerc.org.uk. The council meets four times a year in January, April, July and October to consider applications. These are considered first by the research and education committees. Inquiries: info@ aerc.org.uk. Next deadline: 31 October.

ASSOCIATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH www.aicr.org.uk Research Grants The AICR's aim is to support fundamental research into the causes, mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer. The emphasis is on scientific, as opposed to clinical research, but no rigid distinction is drawn between the two. The association is keen to support recently qualified researchers, work in areas that are relatively underfunded or unexplored, pump-priming or preliminary research projects, and projects involving international collaboration. AICR emphasises the need for a flexible approach to funding, and is always examining new approaches to solving problems in cancer research. Projects are mainly for three years and include funding for research staff (post doctoral and/or PhD students), consumables, small items of equipment and travel to conferences. Collaboration is encouraged between individual recipients of grants. Applications for research grants are received from research staff at universities, research institutions and hospitals worldwide. Email: aicr@aicr.org.uk. Deadline: October.

ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY www.rsc.org Research Fund The RSC research fund exists to assist members in their research by the provision of grants of up to Pounds 1,000, for example, for the purchase of chemicals, equipment or for running expenses of chemical education research. If work is held up for lack of moderate funding the research fund may be able to help. Applications from members of the Royal Society of Chemistry will be considered on merit, but account will be taken of any other source of financial aid available to applicants. Preference will be given to those working in less well-endowed institutions and to those supporting their own research. Applications are limited to one per department and must be submitted through the head of that department. Deadline: 31 October. Application forms, together with the regulations governing the fund, may be obtained from: Stanley Langer, Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA; tel: 020 7440 3325; email: langers@rsc.org.

ARTS & HUMANITIESRESEARCH BOARD www.ahrb.ac.uk Research Leave Scheme The aims of the research leave scheme are: to support research activity of the highest quality conducted by individual scholars across all areas of the arts and humanities; to provide awards to relieve individual scholars of teaching and administrative responsibilities in order to bring a research project to completion; to support the completion and dissemination of work that will lead to significant advances in knowledge, understanding or insights. The research leave scheme is open to members of the academic staff of higher education institutions directly funded by the funding councils. Full-time and part-time members of staff on teaching-and-research contracts can apply. Applicants should be of postdoctoral level (or equivalent) or beyond, or demonstrate equivalent research experience and/or training. Next deadline: October 31. Application forms can be downloaded from the site. Contact: Advanced Research Division, Northavon House, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QD; tel: 0117 931 7417; fax: 0117 931 7157.

ROYAL SOCIETY www.royalsoc.ac.uk COPUS grants COPUS offers grants to support projects that enable people to access contemporary issues and ideas in science, engineering and technology, whether it be through debate or demonstration, interaction or exhibition, the arts or other pursuits. There are currently three types of COPUS grant, all for projects within the UK: (1) a seed grant intended to pump prime activities on a local scale (maximum Pounds 3,000); (2) a development grant to supportlarger scale initiatives (maximum Pounds 20,000); and (3) a National Science Week grant for activities and events specifically intended for the annual National Science Week (maximum Pounds 3,000). All applicants must be resident in the UK. Applicants need to show clearly how their project relates to public understanding of science in the UK. Established, as well as novel, projects are considered. Further information online. Deadline: October 31. Contact: Ms Anna Link, Royal Society, 6 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG; email: anna.link@royalsoc.ac.uk; tel: 020 7451 2581; fax: 020 7930 2170.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-00-014.html Genetic Aspects of Tuberculosis in the Lung The aim of this request for applications is to stimulate research on the genetic aspects of tuberculosis, exploiting advances in molecular biology and genomics research. It is important to learn about the interaction between host and microbial genes and to identify genes, or families of genes that determine virulence, latency, reactivation of disease or resistance to antituberculous drugs. Areas of particular interest are studies using novel biotechnologies, such as microarrays, molecular beacon technology, or differential signature-tagged mutagenesis (DSTM) and innovative collaborations with computational biologists to identify genes that mediate the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and elucidate the mechanisms that are responsible. Inquiries to: Hannah Peavy, Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 10018, MSC 7952, Bethesda, MD 20892-7952, USA; tel: (301) 4350222; fax: (301) 480 3557; email: peavyh@nih.gov. Letter of intent deadline: November 1; application deadline: January 17, 2001.

ENGINEERING & PHYSICALSCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL www.epsrc.ac.uk 'Faraday Partnerships': third call for outline proposals The Faraday partnership initiative is aimed at promoting improved interactions between the UK science, engineeringand technology base and industry through the involvement of intermediate organisations. Qualifying intermediate organisations must be able to demonstrate an existing and strong connection with both industry and academia. The proposed Faraday partnerships that are selected for support in this round will be chosen in the lightof Foresight priorities and the technology needs of a knowledge-driven economy. They will be in topics of key importanceto the industrial wellbeing of the UKand of interest to a wide spectrum of firms, research organisations andfunding providers. The research council sponsor(s) will provide up to Pounds 1M over four years to each Faraday partnershipon a pump-priming basis. Applicants should download the outline proposal application form and associated guidance notes from the EPSRC website at: www.epsrc.ac. uk/bmk/fp. Deadline: 5pm on November 3. Inquiries to: Dr Andy Rawlins (tel: 01793 444112; email: andy.rawlins@epsrc.ac.uk).

BRITISH ACADEMY www.britac.ac.uk Larger Research Grants Grants are available for: pilot projects which require levels of research assistance, data collection and analysis, or other costs which cannot be contained within the academy's small research grants scheme; field study for programmes of field work extending over periods of up to three years; and extensions to existing research activity. Applications must be for self-contained projects. Grants are available for the direct costs of primary research, including short-term research and secretarial assistance; consumables; travel and maintenance while away from home; and, in certain cases, costs of preparing illustrative material and fees for reproduction rights of text or images. Grants are not intended to support the employment of a full-time research assistant for 12 months and applicants with staff-rich projects should direct themselves to the AHRB or ESRC. Level of award: over Pounds 5,000, up to Pounds 20,000. Deadline: October 30. Application forms are available online. Contact the Research Grants Department for further information: tel: 020 7969 5217; fax: 020 7969 5414; email: grants@britac.ac.uk.

FALMOUTH COLLEGE OF ARTS www.falmouth.ac.uk The Alessi Research Studentship in Creative Enterprise Alessi, the Italian Design Factory, and Falmouth College of Arts invite applications for a research studentship in creative enterprise. The successful candidate will possess a good first degree and a higher degree in studio practice. They will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the way in which research informs practice and to present evidence of an informed perspective on the role of creativity in successful enterprise. The Alessi studentship is for a fixed period of three years, based in Cornwall, with a six-week study period each year at the Alessi factory in northern Italy. Research will be undertaken in English and candidates will be required to show evidence of a particular interest in European design culture. Deadline: October 16. Contact Admissions at Falmouth College of Arts, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4RH; tel: 01326 211077; fax: 01326 212261, email: admissions@falmouth.ac.uk.

FIGHT FOR SIGHT www.fightforsight.org Research Fellowship Applications are invited for the Fight for Sight research fellowship to start in 2001 in any area of vision research relevant to the charity's aims of prevention of blindness and treatment of eye disease. It is hoped that this will help the career development of a talented young post-doctoral scientist or clinician specialising in ophthalmology. Applications will be considered from scientists or clinicians anywhere in the UK. Applicants must be aged 35 or under at the date they propose to start. Scientists must hold a PhD. Applications must be submitted on the research fellowship application form, which is available from the website or by email from: ffs@globalnet.co.uk; or by phoning 020 7608 4000.

Deadline: November 3. Applications received after this date will not be considered. A decision should be made within three months. When submitting applications, send the original, plus nine copies, to Fight for Sight, Institute of Ophthalmology, Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL.

NATIONAL KIDNEY RESEARCH FUND www.nkrf.org.uk Senior Fellowships Applications are invited for clinical and non-clinical senior fellowships. Clinical senior fellows should have completed a period of research training as well as initial clinical training. They should have already shown evidence of a capacity for independent research. Non-clinical senior fellows should have extensive post-doctoral experience. Both types of senior fellowship are awarded for up to five years.

Training Fellowships This award is to enable medical or scientific graduates to gain specialised training in renal research. For science applicants the equivalent will be termed a career development fellowship. Applicants should hold a PhD and have had at least two years post-doctoral experience. Application forms can be downloaded from the website. Deadline: November 24. Contact: The National Kidney Research Fund, Kings Chambers, Priestgate, Peterborough PE1 1FG, fax: 01733 704685; email: grants@nkrf.org.uk.

Compiled by Sarah Knowles.

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