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Post-Genomics & Proteomics

Announcement of opportunity:
knowledge transfer

This AO closed on 26 July 2007

The aim of NERC's Post-Genomics & Proteomics (PGP) Programme is to apply integrated genomic and proteomic approaches to environmental science. The PGP Programme currently funds six research grants and a co-sponsored research fellowship with the Environment Agency.

Knowledge Transfer (KT): Workshops and Partnership Research Developing Tools

A total of £200k is available for knowledge transfer activities.

Workshops

Proposals are invited for workshops which will facilitate the Knowledge Transfer of PGP science to research users. Users must be clearly engaged in the proposal and the workshops tailored to address their needs. Attendees could include industry and regulators representatives, non-governmental groups, etc. The workshops must produce a defined output (this may be in the form of a report, for example an action plan to ensure the uptake of genomic level science in relevant environmental policy or regulation). All awardees will be expected to present their outputs to the PGP Steering Committee.

Possible themes could include:

  • How genomics may help to identify and monitor reservoirs of disease in natural and 'farmed' populations.
  • Strategies to distinguish between biomarkers of exposure versus adverse effect.

Project proposals submitted to this call should adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Maximum project duration: 1 year.
  • Project start by March 2008.
  • Maximum total funding request at 100% Full Economic Cost (NERC will pay the standard proportion of all costs): up to £30k per workshop.
  • Resources required for workshop management should be included in the proposal.
  • Case for support page limits: 2 pages track record, 2 pages description of workshop(s), 1 page justification of resources.
  • Evidence of research users' commitment to the workshop(s) should be provided in the 'project partners' section, together with a letter of support identifying the relevance of the workshop(s) to the user(s); the nature of the user involvement; and an explanation of user contributions (both direct financial and in-kind).

Partnership Research Developing Tools

Proposals under this aspect of the KT call should aim to lead to the demonstration and uptake of 'omics' technologies by public/private sector users.

The objective of this call is to support interchanges that provide strategic advantage to the UK science base and public/private sector users arising from reciprocal access to facilities, expertise and/or knowledge, and an increased understanding of scientific issues of common concern. Interchanges should lead to the development of long-term partnerships and are also likely to lead to one or more of the following:

  • The enhanced uptake of NERC-funded science by the end user community.
  • Access to knowledge, skills and expertise.
  • Access to equipment and facilities.
  • The fostering of links between science base and the end users.
  • Enhanced understanding of end user needs.

The Interchange may be held either full or part time. The support awarded will be dependent on the requirements of the proposed project and a significant cash or in-kind contribution from the project partner(s) will be required. NERC funding is expected to cover salary and travel/subsistence costs. Consumables, lab space etc. would be expected to be met by the partner institute.

An example project may include the transfer of a laboratory-based molecular-based assay to enable the routine monitoring of environmental waters or industrial process effluents by the end user community. In this case such as assay will need to demonstrate increased environmental protection.

Project proposals submitted to this call should adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Maximum project duration 2 years.
  • Project to start by March 2008.
  • Maximum total funding request at 100% Full Economic Cost (NERC will pay the standard proportion of all costs): up to £80k per project.
  • Case for support page limits: 2 pages for track record, 8 pages for description of research, 1 page for justification of resources.
  • Evidence of research users' commitment to the project should be provided in the 'project partners' section, together with a letter of support identifying the relevance of the work to the user(s); the nature of the user involvement; and an explanation of user contributions (both direct financial and in-kind).

How to apply

Proposals should be submitted at full economic cost via the Research Councils' Joint Electronic Submission system (Je-S). The 'scheme' should be completed as 'Directed FEC' and the 'call' as 'Post Genomics'.

Please consult the information above carefully for specific information on page limits and other requirements under each section of the call. Project Studentships cannot be included under any of the proposal types.

Standard NERC rules apply with regard to Investigator eligibility and the number of proposals per Investigator per round (ie one application as PI plus one as Co-I, or two applications as Co-I permitted).

Bids may be submitted by any investigator/institution eligible to receive NERC support, regardless of involvement in previous PGP or EG funding rounds.

The closing date for bids under the above call is 26 July 2007 (please note 16:00 deadline on this date). Results will be announced late 2007.

Scientific queries regarding this Announcement of Opportunity should be directed to the Programme Science Co-ordinator, Dr Jason Snape (Tel: 01803 884273).

Advice on application and administrative arrangements is available from the Programme Administrator, Mr Will Thomas.

Any queries regarding the Je-S system and submission of applications should be directed to the dedicated Je-S Helpdesk.