The EPSRC released three new calls for proposals on the 15th June. A brief summary of each call is below, however more information can be found using the links within each synopsis:
Cancer Research UK-EPSRC Cancer Imaging Research Centres
Closing date: 16 July 2012
Issue date: 15 June 2012
Category: Expression of interest
Related themes: Engineering, Healthcare technologies, ICT, Physical sciences
Following the first multi-funder initiative to establish Cancer Imaging Centres and Programmes, Cancer ResearchUKand the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council are delighted to announce a further round of this initiative and to launch a call for expressions of interest aiming to establish comprehensive Cancer Imaging Research Centres.
The funders would like to build on phase one and further enhance cancer imaging research within theUK. More specifically, the expectation for the successful Centres is that they will integrate preclinical and clinical research to facilitate the improved detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and will be integral to their host institution’s translational research strategy. The Centres will be expected to involve multidisciplinary research, encompassing cancer research and novel engineering, information and communication technology and physical science research. The successful Centres would also be expected to work together to develop a network of excellence that would drive forward cancer imaging research in theUK.
Full details of the call are available on the Cancer imaging initiative – second call for proposals page of the Cancer ResearchUK website.
UK and India Partnership in Advanced Manufacturing Research Challenges
Closing date: 16:00 on 27 September 2012
Issue date: 15 June 2012
Category: Invitation for proposals
Related themes: Engineering, Manufacturing the future
Summary
Twenty-first century manufacturing is an increasingly global endeavour, driven by the rapid pace of technological change. High-value manufacturing processes are increasingly moving towards flexible, intelligent production systems that involve the inter-play of novel technologies, advanced materials, in-line analysis and ICT, dual working of people and automated systems, and precision engineered products and systems. Vital to all industrial sectors, modern manufacturing is more than merely production – it encompasses R&D, design, prototyping, production, distribution, service and support provision, and end-of-life repair, recycle or reuse.
Manufacturing is a top priority in bothUKand Indian plans for economic growth. In 2011,Indialaunched a National Manufacturing Policy that aims to increase manufacturing activity from a current 16% GDP to 25% by 2022. This equates to a growth rate of 12 14% per year, and aims to generate 100 million new jobs. TheUK’s coalition government has also placed manufacturing at the heart of the economic recovery, and has published a series of policy announcements and reviews on the subject.
EPSRC and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) expect to commit up to £3M (Rs 23 crore) each on research programmes of up to three years in length. The funded programmes are expected to vary in size according to the demands of the proposed research, up to a maximum of £1M total, and will involve bothUKand Indian researchers. This call invites applicants to submit a proposal for funding.
The proposal will be assessed by expert postal peer review, and those that are sufficiently supported will be advanced to a funding decision panel in February 2013. Funding decisions are expected to be made in March 2013.
For more information please visit the UK and India Partnership in Advanced Manufacturing Research Challenges call page.
Next Generation Optical Microscopy Initiative
Closing date: 16:00 on 12 July 2012
Issue date: 15 June 2012
Category: Invitation for proposals
Related themes: Engineering, Healthcare technologies, ICT, Physical sciences
Researchers are invited to apply for funding through a new joint Next Generation Optical Microscopy Initiative, led by the Medical Research Council (MRC), and with co-funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Pump-priming investment of up to £18 million (£15m MRC, £2m BBSRC and £1m EPSRC) is available to support 10 or more strategic and innovative partnerships for up to five years during a period of rapid expansion, improvement and establishment of new microscopy technologies.
For more information see the Next Generation Optical Microscopy Initiative page on the Medical Research Council’s website.